Samantha Clark

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Autumn in Kentucky at it’s finest

By Samantha Clark on Oct 31, 2011 6:37 pm -

Today did Kentucky proud; the sun came out and warmed us all up at the Kentucky Horse Park, also illuminating the beautiful colours in the trees and hedges. The Octoberfest Horse Show, in the words of organiser Maggie Wright, was “developed as a good way to introduce horse and/or rider to a positive experience with either dressage, combined test, or horse trials”, and in that spirit I was delighted that my son, Harry relished his job pinny pinching, and can’t wait to do it again.

I saw lots of nice young horses, plenty of young riders, and it was a super day; an end of term feeling because it’s practically the last outdoor show of the season, and yet excitement for the Alltech National Horse Show in the Horse Park next week, there are temporary tents going up for extra stabling as well as tons of other preparations under way, and of course Breeders Cup next weekend also in Kentucky, at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

This being Kentucky it’s only natural that the two worlds collide every now and then and I was delighted to bump into Kenny and Chip McPeek watching Jenna compete in the Junior Starter on Apache.

Chip, above.

Kenny

Many thanks to Kenny for talking to me on his day off; we chatted a bit about English v US racing, both of which Kenny has experienced, and he told me he hopes to train more runners in Great Britain in the future, and that Jenna has already met the Queen!

Jenna and Apache

Leah Massa, a member of the Keeneland Pony Club and also in the Junior Starter Division, told us Sarkie is 27 years old.

I’m very proud to report that my daughter Lily also did a great job at tack check, and is also longing to sign up for another stint next year.

I saw a couple of cool costumes

Lizzie Massa and Rodney about to take off into space!

A horse-husband’s work is never done!

Kentucky Pride! A job well done!

Thank-you to everyone at Octoberfest for a fantastic day, it was great fun, everyone was very patient and polite, and I was proud to show Kentucky off to my mum today. Go Kentucky, Go Baby Go, and Go Eventing!

Autumn in Kentucky at it’s finest

By Samantha Clark on Oct 30, 2011 5:12 pm -

This being Kentucky it’s only natural that the two worlds collide every now and then and I was delighted to bump into Kenny and Chip McPeek watching Jenna compete in the Junior Starter on Apache.

Chip, above.

Kenny

Jenna and Apache

Leah Massa, a member of the Keeneland Pony Club and also in the Junior Starter Division, told us Sarkie is 27 years old.

I’m very proud to report that my daughter Lily also did a great job at tack check, and is also longing to sign up for another stint next year.

I saw a couple of cool costumes

Lizzie Massa and Rodney about to take off into space!

A horse-husband’s work is never done!

Kentucky Pride! A job well done!

Happy Birthday…..

By Samantha Clark on Oct 28, 2011 7:22 am -

Jess Hampf! Many Happy Returns!

Huge Props to Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

By Samantha Clark on Oct 25, 2011 5:23 pm -

It’s been a terrific and incredibly busy weekend here at the Kentucky Horse Park, and for everyone involved with the Hagyard Midsouth Three Day Event and Team Challenge (about 600 riders just to begin with, as well as of course, the entourage!) we owe an enormous thank-you to title sponsor Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Situated right across the road from the Horse Park, Hagyard maintains an active presence, not only in eventing but also by sponsoring the Grand Prix Jumper Series during the summer, particular riders and much more. Additionally many of the vets are accomplished riders themselves, either for pleasure or actively competing, and I bumped into Andy Clark,CEO, an expert roper in California, but now enjoying fox-hunting in Kentucky, but today – ambulance driver!

I heard that it was a good day, and in fact a very safe weekend. Many thanks to Andy, and to all the vets who were everywhere out on the grounds this weekend, most of them were volunteering, and will be back to work Monday morning. In fact, when I chatted to Dr. Werner and her intern Harry (see photo, Sunday Trot-Up Report!) while they worked the vet inspection, 8am on a chilly sunday morning, they were their usual smiley and chatty selves but nursing Venti (x-large) Starbucks because they’d been up most of the night with a colicking mare. A very expensive mare! And I thought I was tired! Thanks Guys for the wonderful job you do, I hope you get some sleep, and Thank you to Andy for his time, and to Hagyard of course – Go Eventing!

Northwinds Breeze – Patience Pays off for Penny Rowland

By Samantha Clark on Oct 25, 2011 12:14 pm -

Northwinds Breeze is certainly an eye-catching and impressive looking horse; she sailed into an early lead at the Hagyard Midsouth CCI* by leading the dressage, and almost looked like she was going to run away with the trophy, but for an unlucky rail in the final phase. As her rider, and owner Penny Rowland explained however, her connections couldn’t be more thrilled with a second place , especially considering that her original owner, Wendy, gave her away to Penny as a filly because she was too much for her to handle, and they call her “Beastly” as a pet name.

I managed to grab a few words with Wendy before the prizegiving, and she confirmed, that contrary to appearances, “Beastly” is as “Beastly” does! While all the time the mare stood there quietly looking like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, Wendy chronicled the baring of teeth and turning her quarters to you in the stall just for appetisers, and told me appearances can indeed be deceptive.

Personally, I’ve always loved talented coloured horses, but not particularly mares, and especially not mean ones, and I have nothing but the utmost admiration for Penny for sticking with her, and as Penny told us, she certainly does look like one to look out for in the future.

I think there are definitely people who prefer mares over geldings or vice versa, and a few who can ride anything equally well. I find the dynamics of that whole personality/relationship with your horse really interesting, and would love to hear what you think; please do write in and tell me about your special mare, or why you only ride geldings, or just your opinion.

Thanks for reading, congratulations to Northwinds Breeze and her connections, and go eventing!

Fairhill Eventing and Equine Therapy Center

By Samantha Clark on Oct 25, 2011 9:45 am -

I was lucky to enough to talk to three people, all connected, this weekend who each on their own would have made wonderful victims for one of my loooong interviews, but as they were packing up and getting ready to leave the Kentucky Horse Park for Maryland, we grabbed a few minutes to talk about the basics, and we’ll hopefully catch up again soon for a longer chat.

Molly Rosin is no stranger to Eventing Nation readers, and to most eventing aficionados, especially on the East Coast. Molly made the trip to Kentucky this past weekend to contest the CCI* on Cathy and Quinn Anderson’s Sprite, while Quinn, at 13 years old, was competing in her first big ‘away game’ on her rescue pony, Google.

Quinn’s mother, Cathy, has a wealth of eventing experience both riding and in an official capacity. Cathy is an FEI vet for many of the top events, as well as the owner of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber at the Fairhill Equine Therapy Center where Neville Bardos and Hoku spent so much time in recovery. Cathy was kind enough to juggle Sprite, and talk to me a little about the HBO and it’s benefits(“it’s not television..!”), and of course Sprite.

I’d like to thank Molly, Quinn and Cathy for their time, there’s never enough to spare at an event, and they were all three incredibly gracious about interrupting the packing-up of the trailer to stop and chat. Wishing Quinn a happy season fox-hunting, and Cathy good luck to her Fairhill connections in the Breeders Cup next weekend; she mentioned that several horses probably owed their extended season of racing up until November to stints in her Hyperbaric Chamber. Thank you to Molly for spotting and nurturing young talent, both in horses and humans, and best of luck over the winter with all your own horses. Whatever your winter plans may be, I hope they include Eventing Nation. Thanks for reading as always, go hunting, racing, and of course, eventing!

Fairhill Eventing and Equine Therapy Center

By Samantha Clark on Oct 24, 2011 8:25 pm -

Northwinds Breeze – Patience Pays off for Penny Rowland

By Samantha Clark on Oct 24, 2011 6:06 pm -

Thanks for reading, congratulations to Northwinds Breeze and her connections, and go eventing!

Regal Dancer

By Samantha Clark on Oct 24, 2011 5:49 pm -

Regal Dancer is a mare with an interesting back story. A full thoroughbred,

she’s ridden by Julie Henk, and on saturday completed the speed and endurance phase of her first long format Training level Three Day event. Julie talked to us after her ride…

Regal Dancer is owned by Ann Sinchak who’s had her since she rescued her as a yearling filly. Ann, who works as an assistant trainer for Jonathan Sheppard, and therefore doesn’t have time to ride Regal Dancer herself, has always longed to see her horse compete at the Kentucky Horse Park, and this weekend the stars aligned with the Three Day coinciding with the Keeneland Fall Meet, and as so rarely happens with horses, everything going to plan!

Congratulations to Julie, Ann and Regal Dancer, and thank you for talking to us. Best of luck in the future, and go Three Day Eventing!

Midsouth Three Day Team Challenge Video

By Samantha Clark on Oct 24, 2011 2:00 pm -

Not much more to add really, here’s some of the regular Open Preliminary Divisions going cross country…

and here’s a few of the Beginner Novice Show-Jump rounds, they did cross country the following day,

and a few of the Training XC rounds.

The Training Division ran at the very end of a long day of cross country, and Sunday promises to be another marathon day for everyone involved. Well done to everybody, and thank you to all the jump judges, course builders, volunteers, organisers and everyone who helps make the event happen. Thank you for reading, and go eventing.

Also, here is a rider’s eye view of the Training course, courtesy of Riderboy from the COTH forums:

Happy Birthday…

By Samantha Clark on Oct 24, 2011 1:37 pm -

Joanie Morris! Many happy returns, and also a massive thank you for keeping us all up -to -date on the US domination of the Pan Am Games in Mexico. You can follow Joanie on twitter for live updates here.

We must also wish businessman and entrepreneur John Nunn, one of Eventing’s most enthusiastic supporters and keen competitior himself, a very Happy Birthday.

From October 24, 2011

Wishing you both a fabulous day, and terrific year – Happy Birthday

Huge Props to Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

By Samantha Clark on Oct 24, 2011 12:48 pm -

I hear that it was a good day, and in fact a very safe weekend. Many thanks to Andy, and to all the vets who were everywhere out on the grounds this weekend, most of them were volunteering, and will be back to work Monday morning. In fact, when I chatted to Dr Werner and her intern Harry (see photo, Sunday Trot-Up Report!) while they worked the vet inspection, 8am on a chilly sunday morning, they were their usual smiley and chatty selves but nursing Venti (x-large) Starbucks because they’d been up most of the night with a colicking mare. A very expensive mare! And I thought I was tired! Thanks Guys for the wonderful job you do, I hope you get some sleep, and Thank you to Andy for his time, and to Hagyard of course – Go Eventing!

Lauren Snider and Route 66

By Samantha Clark on Oct 24, 2011 11:22 am -

Route 66, or Snoopy as he’s fondly known, has been a work in progress for Lauren Snider since before she even owned him and used to gallop him at the track. Today, going clear around his first Training Level Three Day Event was a huge turning point for him she tells us, in a year that’s already seen massive changes in his attitude.

Wishing Snoopy a happy holiday in the field and a well-earned rest, if only we could treat ourselves as well as our horses! Thanks for sharing your terrific story with us, Lauren; thanks for reading, and go eventing!

Cathy Wieschhoff

By Samantha Clark on Oct 24, 2011 10:45 am -

It’s impossible to pick a job description for Cathy this weekend because she fulfilled so many different roles. I caught up with her in the ten minute box of the Long Format Three Day Event where she’d spent most of the day helping anyone who’d needed it, and graciously accepting thanks from riders she’d been training all week. Earlier in the morning she’d competed her own horse, and then she told me about a very exciting development she’s in charge of for Area VIII.

Thanks for extending your day even longer and staying to chat with us, Cathy, and I can’t wait for January. I happened to bump into her once more, standing on the hill watching the prelim, grazing her horse, a 4 year old OTTB that was to all intents and purposes loose at her feet like a puppy, and the sweetest, kindest, most laid back thing. If only I had a trailer I’d have gone home with two horses this afternoon! Many thanks to all the trainers this weekend who stood out in all conditions helping riders, many of them competing at their first three day event. Congratulations to all of you, and thank you for reading, always go eventing!

Wow – Dressage Queen!

By Samantha Clark on Oct 24, 2011 7:45 am -

If Steph ever tires of eventing she may have a future in dresssage!

Congratulations, Steph!

Training Three Day Show-Jumping MidSouth

By Samantha Clark on Oct 24, 2011 1:40 am -

I couldn’t have dreamed up a better ending to the Hagyard Midsouth Classic Long Format Training Level Three Day Event. Lela Wulf, one of three sisters riding at the Horse Park this weekend, steered her OTTB Gin Creek to victory, finishing on their dressage score of 36.3 which had left them tied for fifth at the end of the first day. Gin Creek can also claim family ties at the Horse Park, as he’s by Kentucky Derby winner Go For Gin, who is now living out his retirement here.

Kate Berta slipped from 1st to 8th with two rails down

Madison Penfound and Orion, 7th

Cherie Chauvin jumped clear to take 2nd place

Laura Markham benefited from some training with Becky Holder, and left all the rails up to move into third place. She borrowed her horse, Buzz Lightyear, from her mother who generally rides him at Novice level but is thinking about moving up to Training, and so asked Laura to prepare him. Nicely done, Laura! I spoke to her briefly after the prize-giving.

Sarah Dunkerton on Old Man Moel 9th

Annelise Aurillo on Your Lucky Day, 10th

Mia Dover-Terrettaz and Etoile, 5th

Lauren Snider and Route 66, 17th

Please click the link below to continue reading.

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CCI* Show-Jumping at the Kentucky Horse Park

By Samantha Clark on Oct 24, 2011 1:24 am -

Robin Walker officially became a US rider last Monday, just in the nick of time to travel down to Kentucky from Michigan and become the USEF National One Star Champion by dint of winning the CCI* here at the Kentucky Horse Park. Florenz has been on terrific form all year, winning the CCI* at the Florida Horse Park in the spring, and has been almost unbeatable throughout the summer, but only a clear show-jumping moved him up to the winner’s podium when the overnight leader, Canadian Penny Rowland had a rail down in the final phase and dropped below him to second by .3 of a penalty.

I spoke to Robin after the competition and he told me that after a break, Florenz will do a preliminary event to get going again, and then she’ll move up and he’lll see what she’s made of. Robin said how thrilled he was with how much she’s matured over the summer, how she’d helped him out on the cross country yesterday, whereas he wouldn’t always have been able to rely on her, and how excited he is to take her further. I also spoke to Penny Rowland at some length, and will have more on that in a later post, about her quirky mare, Northwinds Breeze who came in second, but to give you an idea, her ex owner, who gave her to Penny because she was such a handful, let slip that they call her “Beastly” as a pet name!

Penny Rowland and Northwinds Breeze, 2nd

The Victory Lap

Clear rounds were few and far between; the time was generous, and the poles were certainly heavy, and a lot of the horses were great jumpers. Too many riders rode the turns really badly, or not at all, and perhaps nerves were a factor this afternoon.

Elinor Macphail and Goodnight Moon, 20th

Please click the link below for more photos.

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Training Three Day Show-Jumping MidSouth

By Samantha Clark on Oct 23, 2011 11:52 pm -

Kate Berta slipped from 1st to 8th with two rails down

Madison Penfound and Orion, 7th

Cherie Chauvin jumped clear to take 2nd place

Sarah Dunkerton on Old Man Moel 9th

Annelise Aurillo on Your Lucky Day, 10th

Mia Dover-Terrettaz and Etoile, 5th

Lauren Snider and Route 66, 17th

Brad Hall rode Eva into 15th place

Karen Chendell and Stilt Walker, 6th

Ashley Keller on Manhattan, 16th

Madison Bonamarte and Chevelle, 18th

Julie Henk and Regal Dancer, 11th

Katie Lockhart and Loughnatousa Max, 21st

Lauren Romanelli and SPF’s Big Idea, 22nd

Emma James and Revolution 9, 19th

Carolyn Drover rode Highland Park into 20th place

Shauna Rust and Dash of Courage, 26th

Finally, a big shout-out to my new friend Dan Kreitl and his gorgeous Curly Horse/Holsteiner Spartagon. I was lucky enough to meet Dan, his mother and his sister this weekend, as well as Spartagon of course and they are all lovely. During his dressage test on friday, Spartagon irritated a very small wound in his mouth that he’d incurred out in the pasture, and that the event vets had already seen and cleared. However, when the judge saw blood, albeit a tiny amount, he had to be cleared by the judges and Ground Jury again before he could continue the next day. Dan and his family handled it all with complete class,and I was thrilled to see Spartagon tearing up the cross country on Saturday. Imagine my surprise on Sunday afternoon then, when he came in to show-jump very first of his division, “with permission from the Organiser”, because he’d been eliminated. I spoke to Dan and his family after his stadium round as they were packing up to go home, and Dan laughed and said he must have been destined to be eliminated at this event. He told me that after the whole saga with Spartagon’s mouth (he rode xc in a hackamore), he had then gone through the wrong gap in a hedge on roads and tracks, and therefore missed a flag by feet. Then he laughed again, and said that even if he hadn’t done that, in the warm-up for show-jumping he had accidentally jumped a practice jump the wrong way round, which carries the penalty of elimination, so he was doomed. Obviously the Judges must have agreed with me though, because they awarded Dan the FIve Star Tack Award for Best Sportsmanship, and he told me he won a beautiful halter. Dan’s sister, Kate was also kind enough to send me another picture of Spartagon’s daughter, Erste, (which means first apparently). She has Sparticus and Sandro bloodlines and you can almost see the perfect heart on her forehead.

It’s been a great weekend, the weather improved and the rain held off until late on sunday afternoon. There’ll still be some more coming from Midsouth, and again I’d like to thank EN John for such brilliant coverage of the Pan Am Games in Mexico. As soon as I got home I read the live blog and all the news before doing anything else, which perhaps explains why it’s taken me so long to finish this. Goodnight, Go for Gold USA, Go For GIn and Go Eventing!

CCI* Show-Jumping at the Kentucky Horse Park

By Samantha Clark on Oct 23, 2011 10:56 pm -

Robin Walker officially became a US rider last monday, just in the nick of time to travel down to Kentucky from Michigan and become the USEF National One Star Champion by dint of winning the CCI* here at the Kentucky Horse Park. Florenz has been on terrific form all year, winning the CCI* at the Florida Horse Park in the spring, and has been almost unbeatable throughout the summer, but only a clear show-jumping moved him up to the winner’s podium when the overnight leader, Canadian Penny Rowland had a rail down in the final phase and dropped below him to second by .3 of a penalty.

Penny Rowland and Northwinds Breeze, 2nd

The Victory Lap

Elinor Macphail and Goodnight Moon, 20th

Allie Blyskal and Sparrow’s Nio, 21st

Shelby Wietharn and Desert Storm, 13th

Molly Van Arsdalen on Say So, 23rd

Anne Kaufman and Broadway Finale, 24th

Kari Briggs and Lawman, 18th

Charlotte Evans and Mail Order Bride, 11th

Dasha Ivandaeva and Autorytet, 19th

Robin Walker, this time on Rowdy Friend, 8th

Kara Andrew and Joint Venture, 5th

Mackenzie Spaes and Ripple Effect, 10th

Katlyn Hewson and Heartbreaker, 7th. Katlyn also finished 3rd on her other horse Jack’s Irish Z, and I caught up with her after the prize-giving to find out more about them both.

Andrea Glazer riding Deputy Commander, 15th

Kylie Figueira on Danzig, 4th

Katlyn Hewson on Jack’s Irish Z, 3rd.

Many congratulations to all the competitors. Thank you for reading, and go eventing!

Midsouth Team Challenge

By Samantha Clark on Oct 23, 2011 10:16 pm -

One of the things that makes the Hagyard Team Challenge Event so much fun is the effort some of the teams put into their costumes on cross country day, but even those in ‘mufti’ were in great spirits, everyone cheering each other on, and there was a terrific atmosphere on the cross country course this afternoon.

Sterling Bishir on At World’s End. Which reminds me, has anyone ever tried switching their language option on facebook to Pirate? It’s pretty funny.

McAllie Moore and Tigerbythetail

There was lots of hollering for this team as they went round the course

Emma Higgins on Chocolate Chips, Hannah Albert on Princess Lilly and Brittney Delev on Just Charlie, altogether they are The Flying Pigs.

Different kind of team

Gus and Leo are locked in a stealth war for Horse Park supremacy!

The Tin Man, aka Carrie Landry on Benjamin Buttons for Emerald City

The Cowardly Lion – Tracy Scott on Flying Casanova

Dorothy, or Rachel Miles on Medallion

I stood with one of the jump judges as Emerald City went cross country, and unfortunately The Tin Man missed out fence 4, so the judges at the end of the course were petitioning via the radio for her to be reinstated so they could all see the costume. Everyone enjoyed the Team element, especially coming towards the end of a very long weekend, and there were plenty of witty remarks on the airwaves that I couldn’t possibly repeat; not sober.

Congratulations to everyone who competed today, and especially to those who dressed up, thank you for all the fun. Thanks for reading as always and keep checking for show-jumping pictures to come soon, as well as some video interviews. Drive Safely home for those of you with long journeys and Go Eventing!

Sunday Morning Trot-up Midsouth

By Samantha Clark on Oct 23, 2011 6:51 pm -

The final vet inspection for all the three day horses competing in the Hagyard Midsouth Three Day and Team Challenge took place at 8am Sunday morning in the dressage complex, and I missed the first few horses in the CCI* because I was looking everywhere else for it. I spoke to Sheila Costello later and told her about my tardiness, and she told me they had to hold this morning’s trot-up on a similar surface to the one the horses trotted up on at the First Inspection on Thursday ( which was moved into the Alltech Arena due to horrible weather).

Regardless, all the horses presented were accepted. A few were sent to the holding box, like Katchi Kapshi, above, but the Ground Jury and the panel of vets tried really hard to help all the competitors out, giving the younger, greener riders hints on better ways to jog their horses. I took masses of photos because I simply couldn’t resist- the horses were all beautifully turned out, most of the riders were too, and the light was perfect, so I’ll just post them all below for your enjoyment. First, the remainder of the CCI* that I saw.

Katlyn Hewson and Heartbreaker

Katlyn and her second horse, Jack’s Irish Z

Officials and vets and Ian Roberts!

Randall Pearre and The Flying Ace

Charlotte Evans and Mail Order Bride

Andrea Glazer and Deputy Commander

Kara Andrew and Joint Venture

Robin Walker and the eventual winner, Florenz

Harry, Dr Werner’s assistant, who has an interesting story connected to eventing and Australia to share with us soon, so long as ESJ doesn’t beat me to it! Yes, Harry is from Down Under.

Anne Kaufman and Broadway Finale

Shelby Wietharn and Desert Storm

Kylie Figueira and Danzig. Kylie celebrated her 17th birthday yesterday with a double clear cross country

Dasha Ivandaeva and Autorytet

Stephanie Davis and Tall Chai Latte, who were later awarded the Best Presentation at The Horse Inspection by Hagyard

Allie Blyskal and Sparrow’s Nio

Abigail Wilson and Fernhill Flag

Elisabeth Nicholson and Victory Dance

Michelle Weeks and Dusty Dazing

Molly Van Arsdalen and Say So

Blair Nicol and Top Gun

The Prelim Three Day

Barbara Allen and Equinox

Tom Borthwick and Mischief’s Replica

Kelsey Currie and Co-Pilot

Colleen McKitrick and Rocmaster

Erin Durst and Blink He’s Gone

Lara Borson-Knight and Shooby Do

The Training Three Day Event

Brad Hall and Eva

Shauna Rust and Dash of Courage

Lana Wulf and Spanish Lover

Lana’s sister, Lela Wulf and Gin Creek. Gin Creek is an OTTB by Ky Derby winner Go For Gin, who is now retired at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Carolyn Rydyznksi and Irish Whiskey

Dan Kreitl and Spartagon

Madison Bonamarte and Chevelle

Sarah Hauschild and Padi’s Copper Flash

Susan MacQuiddy and Oliver

Lexy Funk and the tiny but talented Changes in Latitudes. I was told, although I’m thinking I must have got my numbers confused again, that he was sold to Lexy for $500 out of the hunter/jumper world because he wouldn’t do his changes but here he is finishing in fourth place overall at the Classic Training Long Format Three Day!

Another super bargain buy: Stacey who was writing for the USEA this weekend, told me that Lauren Romanelli bought SPF’s Big Idea from Craig’s List for $650.

Julie Henk and Regal Dancer

Kate Berta and Bourbon

Katie Lockhart and Loughnatousa Max

Emma James and Revolution 9

Sarah Dunkerton and Old Man Moel

Laura Markham and Buzz Lightyear

Sophie Ochocinski and Petunia

Madison Penfound and Orion

Kathryn Surasky and Meant to Be

Route 66 and Lauren Snider

Today was another extremely busy day at The Horse Park; the Training Show-Jumping was already under way at 8am, and the Novice Cross Country was about to begin. When I left at about 5pm there were still some people out cross country schooling, while others were packing up and going home. Huge props as always to the volunteers, organisers, sponsors, judges and everyone who make shows possible, and to you for reading. More show-jumping and Team Challenge pictures, as well as some video interviews to come. Thanks for reading and go eventing!

Scenes from the Ten Minute Box

By Samantha Clark on Oct 23, 2011 4:45 am -

The Hagyard Midsouth Long Format Classic Training Level Three Day Event (quite a mouthful!) takes place at the Kentucky Horse park this weekend, and many riders use it as an opportunity to try something new, teach their students some horsemanship and fitness lessons, or to train a young horse. Almost a thing of the past, but still much loved and fondly remembered, I give you the ten minute box…

Everyone I talked to, in an official capacity, and riders, owners and grooms were overwhelmingly happy with the whole day today – the weather turned out to be perfect, there were no accidents or incidents and it was a great experience for all concerned. Well done, everybody, go eventing!

For much more from Midsouth click here.

Hagyard Midsouth Three Day Saturday

By Samantha Clark on Oct 23, 2011 3:12 am -

This was the scene at the second water jump on the CCI* at about the time cross-country was due to start at 8am. That skinny log that you can barely see in the middle of the water is the C element of Jump 7, and eventually, after much deliberation, the Ground Jury and Organiser Mary Fike opted to remove it, as well as the B element, the drop down into water from the course.

Deliberations!

The riders were given the option of crossing the bridge or galloping through the water, and after alerting all the competitors to the changes, cross country started at 8:35am. Wouldn’t you know, by then the fog had all but lifted and visibility was almost perfect. I would NOT have wanted to have made the decision though, definitely a case of you’re damned if you do, and damned if you don’t. The course caused a fair amount of trouble without the second water jump anyway. The first water was responsible for quite a few refusals and eliminations, I saw a couple at the coffin over in the far field, and there were some others spread out over the course.

Will Coleman was a fantastic pathfinder on his lovely OTTB Ole Boy who won the CCI* at Plantation earlier this year; this horse, not surprisingly, has a terrific gallop and ate up the ground. They posted a clear within the time to hang onto fourth place, and yes, that is frost on the grass. The top four remain the same this evening as they did last night. The trot-up is at 8am tomorrow morning (yawn!) and the CCI* will show-jump at noon, followed by their mounted awards.

Penny Rowland and Northwind Breeze (CAN) maintain their hold on the CCI*

Anne Kaufman and Broadway Finale in the CCI*

Blair Nicol for Canada on Top Gun in the CCI*

Charlotte Evans, also for Canada in the CCI*, on Mail Order Bride

Christine duke Sportsfield One O Two.jpg

Lawman and Kari Briggs

Christine Duke and Sportsfield One O Two. Photo used with kind permission of Sam English, many thanks.

Dasha Ivandaeva and Autorytet in the CCI* for Canada

Canadian Diana Burnett in the CCI* on With a Whisper

Jordan Thompson on Amaretto for Canada contesting the CCI*

Kari Briggs on Lawman CCI*

Katie Eckert on Sassaparilla Kid in the CCI*

Nicolette Merle-Smith with Ganymede in the CCI*

Randall Pearre and The Flying Ace over Fence 15 in the CCI*

Robin Walker and Rowdy Friend, one of two rides for Robin in the CCI*

Sharon MIller Miesque Star in the CCI*

Shelby Wietharn and Desert Storm in the CCI*

Barbara Allen and Equinox in the Prelim 3 Day

Lara Borson Knight and Shooby Do in the Prelim Three Day

Tom Borthwick and Mischief’s Replica in the Prelim Three Day

Cherie Chauvin on Katchi Kapshi through the second water in the Training Three Day. I was thrilled to catch up with Visionaire today, who I haven’t seen in far too long, and it absolutely made my ~~day week month~~ year. This was her pick as soon as she saw him cantering down to the water, and look at him over the ditch…!

Visionaire then confirmed her status as superior eye for a horse when I saw her new project, an absolutely stunning 3 year old OTTB, and with her permission I’ll publish a picture of him in a future post; in the meantime I’ll just want him!

Jennifer White and Fast Ball in the Training Three Day

Katie Lockhart and Loughnatousa Max in the Training Three Day

Lauren Romanelli on SPF’s Big Idea

Brad Hall rode Eva in the Training Three Day

Cindy Bonamarte and Puma in the Training Three Day water

Janice Holmes and Sloan Ranger in the Training Three Day

Please keep an eye on my blog for some interviews with terrific people and riders, I was lucky to meet some lovely competitors and owners today, as well as persuade a couple of old friends to chat for a few minutes, and they’ll be online soon. Also some photos from the Training Three Day Ten Minute Box, and lots more from show-jumping tomorrow. Apologies for forgetting to post my own scores last night, but massive thank you to Jackie at Stone Gate Farm for supplying the link in the comments section. You can stay up to date with all the scores here, just refresh your page regularly.

Thank you as always for reading, and a big thank you to EN Juan, leader of ‘The Nation’, who completely hit it out of the park today at the Pan Ams in Guadalajara. Fighting back from a stomach bug he brought us the fastest results on twitter, interviews with the US and Canadian riders, pictures, and full reports all within minutes, I’m in absolute awe! Thank you all and go eventing!

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Autumn in Kentucky at it’s finest

Autumn in Kentucky at it’s finest

Happy Birthday…..

Huge Props to Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

Northwinds Breeze – Patience Pays off for Penny Rowland

Fairhill Eventing and Equine Therapy Center

Fairhill Eventing and Equine Therapy Center

Northwinds Breeze – Patience Pays off for Penny Rowland

Regal Dancer

Midsouth Three Day Team Challenge Video

Happy Birthday…

Huge Props to Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

Lauren Snider and Route 66

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Wow – Dressage Queen!

Training Three Day Show-Jumping MidSouth

CCI* Show-Jumping at the Kentucky Horse Park

Training Three Day Show-Jumping MidSouth

CCI* Show-Jumping at the Kentucky Horse Park

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