Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch strutting their stuff in the Burghley arena. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch have amassed a collection of blue ribbons during their career because they can perform well in the little white box and then back it up with two solid jumping phases.

They’ve been U.S. Champion and Reserve Champion at Advanced the last two years and were at the top of the leaderboard after the first day of dressage earlier this spring at the Rolex Kentucky 4*, but none of this compares to Burghley and Laine admitted her nerves slightly got the better of her this morning and this was not their best test together, scoring 48.8 to put them in 23rd place at the moment, two spots behind Lynn Symansky and Donner.

“To be at Burghley is a dream come true — ever since I was a little girl it’s always been a dream to do the Olympics, the World Games and then Burghley and Badminton are on the same scale; just to even be here is such an honour.  I was pleased with Al today, I lost a little of the brilliance that I’m used to having, probably just from my nerves. I had one little blip in my changes that cost me dearly but having said that, I’m here, my horse did what he was supposed to do and it’s not going to be a dressage show, that’s for sure!”

“Compared to the events in the U.S., atmosphere is a huge difference here, the crowds … I think the biggest thing is that living on the East Coast of U.S. we ride against the best of the best of the Americans but when you come out to Europe you ride against the best of the best of the best so it’s quite an eye-opener; a 48 would be quite competitive at Rolex on the first day but not here.

“I plan on getting some great riding lessons tomorrow watching people on the cross country, Michael Jung, Jock Paget are here, people we don’t get to see on a regular basis — I’m just going to try and soak up the experience and really learn how to ride from them.

“The course is big, it’s tough, it’s Burghley, it’s what I expected. When I walk the course I don’t think it’s impossible and I see that I’ve done every single one of those questions at some point in my career with this horse; have I done them all on one course before? No, I just have to bring out the best in my horse and ride my best and get the job done.  I think it’s going to call for really agressive, scrappy riding, I’m going to have to go back to my cowboy roots!”

Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch during their Land Rover Burghley 2015 dressage test. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Laine also made sure to mention the overwhelming support that helped her get here to Burghley after her test, “I did all my fund-raising on social media, I’ve got so many amazing followers, people who embrace the struggle of horses, and live their dreams vicariously through me on the way to get to their dreams.

“I genuinely feel like people want me to do well; I always say everybody has their own Rolex or Burghley, it doesn’t have to be four stars but just be a goal that they aspire to, and so I think they enjoy watching someone persevere and struggle though it because at the end of the day we’re all human. It’s awesome and I pray that I can be a good role model, for adults and kids alike. It’s great, it’s a joint effort and I literally woudn’t be here without them, I literally would not.”

Laine’s mum Valerie is of course here supporting, but so is her dad and his wife, best friend/groom Lauren Sherrill, and Rick Sample and Celia Rafalko, who are “dear friends of mine from my area; so not a ton of people here supporting me but they’re mighty — small and mighty!”

Tim Bourke and Luckaun Quality during their Land Rover Burghley dressage test. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Tim Bourke, our honarary American by way of Ireland, was slightly disappointed with his test on Luckaun Quality, which scored 65.0. “The flat work has come on a bit since last year and he actually has been going really well but he came up here this morning and from the get-go the atmosphere got to him, it took a lot to get him back and get him going.

“I got him out here in the warm-up a little bit better but then when we went into the ring he just got a little too tense and I had to work hard to keep a cap on it and ended up having to ride the trot work a little backwards.  It’s not as atmospheric in there as Kentucky is, I’ll tell you that for nothing!”

Tim will spend the afternoon walking the course again, and is looking forward to the cross country tomorrow, “I’m thankful it’s not just a dressage show; it’s a good galloping course out there, big jumps, and hopefully that will suit him.  It’s big but it looks good, it looks fun and there’s nothing out there that looks impossible.

“It’s unrelenting, you’ll have to be on your game the whole way round. Obie’s a big, rangy jumper, he likes to gallop, he doesn’t turn terribly well so a lot of nice, straightforward lines out there that if you go the short way they’re daring you to take the big stride and be brave and that’s what suits him the best.”

Tim has made no secret of feeling very American this week especially, but doesn’t see himself switching allegiance officially any time soon, “I doubt it! Not for the time being anyway. There’s great opportunities if you ride for the U.S., and they have good funding, but I’m very proud to be Irish so I’ll stick with what I’ve done so far.”

Tim Price being congratulated by wife Jonelle and the whole of the NZ squad after a super test on Ringwood Sky Boy for 38.7 and 3rd currently. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Sandwiched in between Laine and Tim Bourke’s tests I managed to catch fleeting glimpses of Tim Price making some magic happen on Ringwood Sky Boy, and indeed they broke into the 30s and now lie 3rd as we head into the Friday lunch break. Tim seemed delighted but also a little surprised, “I’m really happy with him, he’s not the most gifted dressage horse but the one thing he does do is he improves all the time.”

Mark Todd and Leonidas move into the top ten at the Friday lunch break with a smooth, lovely test. Photo by Samantha clark.

Also flying the flag for the Kiwis, Mark Todd was second in the arena this morning with Leonidas and their test looked wonderful, perhaps the judges were still waking up slowly because I think we all expected him to score even better than the 41.7 he was awarded, good enough for 8th place at the moment.

Fourth at Badminton in the spring this hose has looked so exciting for so long and now really seems to be fulfilling that promise; Mark confirmed that it would be this one and NZB Campino who would be his top choices for Rio next year, and that Leonidas is getting better all the time.

“My test went nearly to plan, you’re always hoping you can do better but he was pretty good. He can be a little bit tense but today he almost felt a little bit lazy so he’s growing up a bit, and we’ll keep working at it.” Like all the other riders Mark has a ton of respect for tomorrow’s cross country track, and wondered if anyone might go inside the time, “Jonelle (Price) is sitting on a very fast horse and it certainly plays into her hand; my horse is a good galloper …”

We’re on the lunch break now of this final day of dressage at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, and we have plenty to look forward to this afternoon — Michael Jung will bring out his Olympic and WEG champion La Biosthetique Sam, six-time Burghley champion William Fox-Pitt has Fernhill Pimms, British Open Champion Nicola Wilson rides her Rolex Kentucky mount Annie Clover, former Badminton Champion Paul Tapner on Kilronan, Pippa Funnell … it goes on and on but of course we’re crossing everything for Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights who ride at 2:32pm GB time 9:32am US Eastern.

Don’t forget to join Anna Ross Davies and Pippa Roome in the Horse & Hound live blog for top notch commentary here. Click here to catch up on all of EN’s coverage of #LRBHT so far, and click here to watch videos on demand via Burghley TV. Thanks for visiting Eventing Nation today and Go USA at Burghley and Go Four Star Eventing!

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Press conference Day 1 Dressage Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials — Michael Jung, Niklas Bschorer and Andrew Hoy are your top three. Photo by Samantha Clark.

While it was widely expected that a certain German, ahem Michael Jung, would be attending the press conference this afternoon, perhaps Niklas Bschorer, his young compatriot who lies 3rd overnight, was more of a surprise. He might be the youngest rider here but he shouldn’t be sucha shocker though.

He and Tom Tom Go did a spectacular test at Badminton this Spring and since leaving Chris Bartle’s base in Yorkshire he’s been based with Mark Todd at Badgerstown, and also gets help from his father; if you’re wondering who the next Michael Jung is, he may well be it.

Since Badminton he’s been working on non-specific flat work, and says he was pleased with his test today, “I’ve just been working on general things like keeping him relaxed, working on the outline, working on his paces and submission. At the end of the day he knows what to do in there and I thought he did a good job.”

His thoughts on the cross country, “It’s a very big course — there’s plenty to jump out there, plenty to gallop, and I think it will be very interesting, you have quite a few options at quite a few fences so it will be interesting to see where some of the riders might go. I’m looking forward to Saturday.”

Interestingly 2nd placed Andrew Hoy did his first Burghley when he was the same age as Niklas (he was 20 in 1979) and he won it that year. He was a winner again in 2004 and said it’s much different here today that it was even 11 years ago, “I can remember that I was riding a very different horse then, I was riding Moonfleet, a TB bred for racing; he was a horse that was v elegant to watch and to ride. With Moonfleet I just had to sit very still and not throw him out of his rhythm and balance, whether it be in the dressage, cross country or show-jumping.

“Today I feel the competition has moved on so far from where it was in 2004 — the sport is very different, the quality of the dressage has improved enormously and I know that the test that I rode today was a long way ahead of what I did in 2004.”

Andrew made it clear how grateful to his groom and what a team effort today’s result was, “I’ve been getting regular help from Gareth Hughes and like all of us here, any success and the performance today is not about one individual and one horse, it’s about a complete programme and a complete support team. My groom Avril Smith has only been with me for 12 months but she has got the best attitude of any groom that I think I’ve ever had working with me.”

Michael Jung professed to be happy with today’s test, especially as he said Fischerrocana is not used to going on a grass surface, “I think that this was nearly the best that we can do with the mare on a grass field. She was very relaxed and very focussed on everything I asked. I could do everything that I’ve worked on before, and I’m very happy about her.”

He did however also remark that today’s footing in the arena was exceptional, “The ground is not normally as good as it was today – today it was soft but you had a good grip so my horse felt very happy on it” He added that obviously she’s perfectly used to going cross country on it too, and as for Saturday’s course?

“I think there are many difficult fences, I think this is a really tough four star course but very nice, you have a few options depending on the experience of the horse and rider. I think we have a good beginning with big but friendly fences so you can have a good feeling in the beginning and a nice gallop. We will have a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to it.”

Before then of course we have another day of dressage to go, and we’re massively excited to cheer on the rest of our US representatives Laine Ashker on Anthony Patch, and Colleen Rutledge on her homebred Covert Rights, and of course not to forget our honorary American, Irishman Tim Bourke and Luckaun Quality.

Dressage starts tomorrow at 9am GB time and we can’t wait to bring you as much coverage as we can. Thanks again for being with Eventing Nation today on the first day of Burghley, it’s been exciting, a little bit chilly, incredibly well-organised and welcoming, and definitely one of our very favourite events on the calendar – Go the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and GO Eventing!

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Lynn Symanksy and Donner score a personal best at this level after an accurate test. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Lynn Symansky rode Donner absolutely perfectly this afternoon to score a personal best for them both at this level and move into 13th place at the moment on 47.7. Although Lynn was obviously riding very tactfully to contain his nerves she didn’t sacrifice any of his movement, and the overall picture was of an accurate, correct test, nice and forward just maybe a tiny bit more careful than those we’ve seen at the very top of the leaderboard.

Rightfully, Lynn was thrilled, “He’s been quite fit and a little wild since I got here. He felt a little bit tired in his body because I’ve  had to mentally just wear him out a bit over the last two days but I’m really, really happy with him, I’ll take it! We’ve had a wild last two days, he’s been more how he was at the trot-up yesterday, but I felt in the warm-up that he was ready to put on his big boy pants and step up to the plate, and he did, I’m really proud of him.”

As she told us earlier, Lynn has only walked about three quarters of the course so far but is quietly confident, “Endurance wise this course is made for him, he’ll run all day long and into tomorrow. He’s a bit tricky in that he’s sometimes quite a spooky horse so I have to be a little creative on some of my lines; anything that’s right in front of him he’s pretty good at but this has a lot of turning questions this year.

I think he’s definitely up to the challenge, I’m glad I’m sitting on him but I’ll just have to ride it according to the horse. It’s been a dream to ride at Burghley since I was a kid, and you don’t always have the opportunity to have a horse that’s right for Burghley and Donner’s right in the prime of his career, and it couldn’t have been a clearer choice for me to come here this fall.”

Lauren Kieffer watches Lynn Symansky’s test. Photo by Nico Morgan.

It was great to see Lauren Kieffer and Shannon Kinsley supporting Lynn this afternoon, and also fellow US competitor Colleen Rutledge. I hope to bump into Lauren and Shannon again later and catch up with them, but I did manage to talk to Colleen about the last few weeks, and how Covert Rights (CR) feels now that they’re here.

“He’s feeling great, I’m really happy with how he’s been going for the past week or so; we’ll see how he goes tomorrow but I’ve been quite pleased with him.” Colleen has been staying at a friend’s  farm near Burghley since Aachen, “It’s been very low-key and relaxed, it’s been really quite good.”

Her thoughts on Saturday’s cross country are short and succinct, “It’s Burghley!” but when I pressed her to elaborate, “It is very different from the year I was here on Shiraz and it’s going to ask some really great questions, it’s definitely got a very fresh look to it but it’s Burghley, definitely, there is no doubt we’re at Burghley!”

Does she think it will suit the greener, less experienced CR?”It all depends on which one of my horses shows up on the day! I know he can jump the fences, it’s not the size of the fences, it’s whether or not we can string all the questions together. I’m excited to see what he’s picked up and what he’s learned over the past few months.

“I think at Aachen the amount of travel we had to do just took it’s toll on him, and it was essentially a perfect storm of stupid, minor mistakes that when they compounded and then I’m sitting on a tired horse…you can’t do it. I’m disappointed in the result at Aachen but it was such a great learning experience that I can’t really be upset. I had a bad dressage, bad show-jumping and bad cross country and hopefully I got it all out there!”

“That’s my OCD coming out!” Collen has painted her nails in her XC colours for the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2015. Photo by Samantha Clark.

All of Colleen’s family are here this weekend to support her which means the world she told me, “I’m just thrilled that my family gets to come, I’m so much more comfortable here than I was the first time and I know a little bit more of what to expect, and it’s a much different experience in that aspect, but I’m still just as excited to be here; every time I get to come to one of these it’s just fantastic.”

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Tim Bourke works Luckaun Quality ahead of the First Horse Inspection at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2015. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Thursday morning dawned bright and sunny, albeit cool at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, much to everyone’s surprise and delight, and it’s almost all we can talk about. Almost … I was thrilled to bump into Tim Bourke “chilling out” with Luckaun Quality by the warm-up arena, “This is how we spend a lot of our time, just chilling out!”

In fact, ‘Obie’ did look rather relaxed, standing and taking it all in, so Tim was kind enough to chat, also kind enough to patiently explain how to properly delete old videos from my phone so hopefully from now on no more technical hitches. What I somehow didn’t manage to record was him talking about getting Obie fit since he made the decision to come to Burghley.

“It definitely comes up quickly; getting ready for Fair Hill you have a little more time and the footing in West Virginia has been pretty firm, but thanks to the help of friends we’ve gone and used their gallops and done hillwork, so I’m grateful to them.”

I’m not sure any other rider will describe the Leaf Pit drop as “fun” but Tim is looking forward to Saturday’s cross country, and won’t take anything for granted; he told me he’ll be careful not to go too fast in the beginning of the course, “I’ve heard it’s easy to be tempted to let them really go at the start, and you’ve got that long pull uphill, and they say it’s easy to cook them early on.”

First though, he has to get through the dressage, historically Obie’s most challenging phase, but Tim is grateful to Sharon White and Mara DePuy for all their help with this phase, and says he feels much calmer about it this year.

As for whether he feels American or Irish, Tim replied most definitely American, “I’ve been there ten years now, I’m stabled next to Laine (Ashker), I’m very happy to be with Team USA!”

More Team USA news — who else did I bump into but Lynn Symansky and Bobby Costello?  Lynn did a lovely video for us which you can watch below. Lynn had already been for a canter on Donner, will probably go for another later, and then do a bit of flatwork ahead of her 2pm GB time (9am U.S. eastern) dressage test.

Lynn explained that Donner is very, very fit and is affected by the atmosphere, “He’s slightly overwhelmed by it all here, hacking up to the dressage past the cross country, although he was quite good in the ring familiarisation last night.”  Since Aachen Donner and Lynn have been at Maizey Manor, they had an easy week immediately after and then have just been quietly preparing for this weekend.

Sadly none of Donner’s syndicate members can be here for Burghley, but we will definitely keep everyone updated with lots of USA news, and apologies again for this morning’s technical snafus. Dressage is underway here, and if you’re near your computer please make sure and follow along with the Horse and Hound live blog thanks to Anna Ross Davies and Pippa Roome.

Much more to come from Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials on this sunny first day of dressage. Remember you can watch all the dressage tests soon after they conclude on Burghley TV. Go Team USA and Go Eventing!

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Michael Jung and his Rolex winner fischerRocana FST take an early lead at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. Photo by Samantha Clark.

As was widely expected, Michael Jung and FischerRocana FST, his winner at Rolex Kentucky earlier this year, came into the main arena at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials right before the first morning break and took a commanding lead. The mare was relaxed, and of course the test was deadly accurate and beautifully presented for a score of 34.2; it’s hard to imagine anyone beating that today.

Chris Burton and Haruzac move into 2nd place currently with a nice test. Photo by Nico Morgan.

Chris Burton currently lies in 2nd place after a smart test on Haruzac, and he still has his Adelaide four-star winner TS Jamaimo to go tomorrow.

Pippa Funnell makes the most of every movement to score 43 on Redesigned, good enough for third place currently. Photo by Samantha Clark.

It’s an education to watch Pippa Funnell ride a test, and today was no exception on Redesigned, her WEG 2010 ride and such a lovely horse; we also look forward to seeing her ride Second Supreme tomorrow and of course Sandman 7 at Blair next week in the European Championships.

We are hoping for great things from Badminton winners Paulank Brockagh and Sam Griffiths, up after the break shortly, and of course crossing our fingers and holding our breath for Lynn Symansky and Donner, our sole U.S. pair to go today, who’ll be the first combination in the arena after the lunch break at 2pm GB time 9am U.S. Eastern.

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Laine stretches Al’s legs ahead of the Land Rover Burghley First Horse Inspection #LAE #goalgo Photo by Samantha Clark

It’s Day One of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and the riders have just had their first look at the imposing cross country course they’ll face on Saturday.

Before we let her go off and get beautiful for the First Horse Inspection, we caught up with Laine Ashker and her mother Val to see what they thought, and also to find out how they’re adjusting to the English Country lifestyle!

Spoiler Alert – they have plenty of respect for the course, and they’re making the most of every minute here so far.

Apologies for the slight break in the middle of the video, technical malfunction, but many thanks to Laine and Val for their patience, good humour and time. More to come from the First Horse Inspection shortly.

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Lynn Symansky and Donner. Photo by Samantha Clark.

All the horses presented at the First Horse Inspection were accepted, including of course our three U.S. pairs Lynn Symansky and Donner, Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch and Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights.

Anthony Patch & Laine Ashker sail through the First Horse Inpsection at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2015. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Colleen Rutledge and her homebred Covert Rights pass the 2015 Land Rover Burghley First Horse Inspection easily to move onto the dressage phase. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Also accepted were our honorary Americans, Tim Bourke and Luckaun Quality.

Tim Bourke and Luckaun Quality are accepted at the Land Rover Burghley First Horse Inspection. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Winners of the Best Dressed were Andrew Hoy (it’s the shoes!) and Georgie Spence who did well to control a very fresh Wii Limbo.

Winner of Best Dressed Man: Andrew Hoy trots up Rutherglen in his blue suede shoes. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Winner of Best Dressed Female – Georgie Spence and a very frisky Wii Limbo. Photo by Samantha Clark

Six horses were asked to trot up twice — Lynn Symansky’s  Donner, Tom Crisp’s Coolys Luxury, Murray Lamperd’s Under the Clocks, Simon Grieve’s Cornacrew, and both Matthew Heath’s The Lion and Willa Newton’s Newmarket Vasco One were sent to the holding box.

Silence was requested for Emily Lochore’s Hexmaley’s Hayday as apparently he’s very sensitive to noise.

Michael Jung and Fischerrocana FST – the before picture. Photo by Samantha Clark

There was sympathetic giggling after the Ground Jury pointed out to Michael Jung that his fly was undone right before he went to trot La Biosthetique Sam (his second horse); he took it incredibly well and sailed through the Inspection with both Sam, smiling, and Fischerrocana.

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam – the after picture!

The French men were outfitted in red trousers and team jackets, and both jogged gorgeous grey (white) horses; we imagine that Rodolphe Scherer’s Makara De Montiege has some arab in her breeding! In the programme she’s listed as a 15 year old mare by Be Bop III, dam sire Hospodar.

Rodolphe Scherer in french team togs and handling a snorting Makara De Montiege with tact. Photo by Samantha Clark

Another impressive grey today was Paul Tapner’s Kilronan who floated down the runway. It was an Inspection of two seasons — we started under sunny skies and it was positively warm, and by the time Colleen jogged near the end the temperature must have dropped more than ten degrees and naturally it was raining!

Welcome to Burghley, although the forecast for the rest of the weekend is good – cool but dry, perfect eventing climate, and the footing is about spot on too. Priorities!

Dressage starts at 9 a.m, tomorrow with the test ride, Dani Evans on Raphael II, and Oliver Townend will kick off the competition proper at 9:30 a.m. local/4:30 a.m. EST with the first of his three rides, Dromguhirry Blue. All rides will be available on demand throughout the day on Burghley.tv.

Stay tuned for a gallery of photos to come on our Facebook page soon, and Go the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials!

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Hope Walden and Lily Langtry through the dew pond and clear within time to move into 9th overnight for Area VIII

Storms and heavy rains rattled through the Bluegrass Friday night, dousing the already saturated footing at the Kentucky Horse Park and ultimately leading to the decision to make some adjustments to the cross country; the jumps at the Head of the Lake were taken out, and the C element of the sunken road was removed from the CCI* division.

Throughout the day the crews were working tirelessly filling wet spots with stone dust, pumping water out of the ditch in the coffin and doing absolutely everything possible to make the conditions as safe as possible.

Camilla Grover-Dodge and Remington keep their lead going into the show-jumping in the CCI* at NAJYRC after a fast, clear XC round. Photo by Samantha Clark.

The CH-J* Division

The top two places on the CCI* leaderboard did not change – both Camilla Grover Dodge on Remington XXV and Morgan Booth on Twizzel jumped immaculate clear rounds within the time to maintain their positions going into tomorrow’s show-jumping, with less than a rail between them.

Third placed after dressage, Area IV’s Mackenna Rold gave the extremely bold and scopey Fernhill Imperial a super ride but 2.8 time faults drops them down to 7th place overnight.

Capitalising on a fast clear and filling the third spot is Area VI’s Madison Temkin and Kingslee who went towards the end of the day and looked to have a great round.

Of the two riders tied for fifth place after the dressage, the lovely grey Paddington and Emily Thompson ran into trouble on course picking up two stops, one at a fairly simple oxer at 8, and one later on course; Madelynn Snoozy and Udealer moved up a spot into fourth with a clear round inside the time.

Area III’s Shelby Brost and Crimson looked very comfortable all the way round and moved up into fifth place, and rounding out the top six is Canada’s Annick Niemuller with FE Black Jack.

Morgan Booth and Twizzel jump into 2nd place at NAJYRC after a clear XC round inside the time. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Area II has a healthy 20 point lead over 2nd placed Area IV, and it was obvious that both these teams particularly and Area VIII also were given clear riding orders to go out and be sensible, cognisant of the conditions.

Morgan Booth was the very last ride of the day on Twizzel and confirmed that she had advice from both Sinead, and her team members who had gone earlier about how the course was riding, “Everyone was laughing at Twizzel in the warm-up and calling him a dragon because he was looking out at the course, running sideways, broncing…and I was just trying to keep a lid on it as best as I could!

“He knew what was coming, he tried to leave the box a few seconds early, he tried to gallop away with me! I let him go to the first two and then he just cruised around, it came up so easy because he’s got such a big stride that it’s pretty effortless for him. We got to the back where the corner is and I felt like I was in knee deep mud and I needed jockey goggles because mud was coming up in my face but he was so good. I wish the Head of the Lake and the Part C of the bank complex had been there because he was looking for it!

“Camilla told me it would be muddy, she told me to pick my line where I can and just let him sort it out, and he’s a mudder luckily and really tough, and nothing really slows him down, including me! It was amazing, I wanted to go and jump a few Rolex fences! You look around and you have to pinch yourself because it’s the Kentucky Horse Park, everyone dreams of riding here when you’re an event rider and I get to gallop around it as a junior and still dream about it for the next ten years. It was the most fun I’ve ever had, he’s such a cool horse! I’m so lucky have to him….no words!”

Camilla Grover Dodge went out much earlier in the day on Remington and rode a mature round on Remington, leaving no room for error and making it all look very easy – it’s been a real pleasure this week to see these two experienced campaigners clearly so delighted to be back in the limelight and absolutely loving every minute. Remington ate up the CCI* XC, looking quite feisty at times for Camilla, although she told me that’s just his way of going, “He was really good; he got a little strong and wild in the warm-up again but once he got out on cross country he was really rideable and just got his game face on.

“The footing was pretty good when I was out there so I was able to keep moving and all the combinations rode just as I walked, and he was just so happy and forward the whole time. He gets headstrong and starts to shake his head if I try to place him too much at a distance but he gets a little better after he gallops some. He was so forward and it was a great course to ride.”

As well as advice from team coach Sinead who warmed Camilla up and gave her some last minute pep talks Camila also got a text from Remi’s former rider Boyd Martin this morning which read, “Good luck mate, ride Remi well!”

Madison Temkin and Kingslee move up to 3rd place after XC at NAJYRC with a fast clear round. Photo by Samantha Clark.

We’d like to claim all the credit for Madison Temkin’s brilliant ride as EN Karma – she was the featured up and coming rider at Galway Downs last November but I think we have to say that Madison and her mother who coaches her should be very proud of themselves; also Hawley Bennet-Awad who found her horse Kinglsee last June, and of course the village that helps any rider reach the top.

Madison, just fourteen years old, groomed here last year and said if anything it’s easier riding! “It’s less stressful than I expected; last year we did quite a bit as grooms so having our own grooms to help us, as well as our parents, our chef and co-ordinator…it’s all running pretty smoothly! The top three was always a goal but mostly I wanted to finish on my dressage score and represent Area VI well and get around.”

Area VIII’s Rivertown Lad and Mary Peabody Camp – one of the standout rounds of the day. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Coach for Area VIII Cathy Weischoff and I chatted briefly yesterday about whether she thinks her team has an advantage being on home ground and being so familiar with the Horse Park, and we couldn’t decide either way which seems borne out by today’s results.

“Yes and No, I still think that because it’s NAJYRC it’s such a big deal for these kids to be here that I don’t think it’s a huge advantage at all. Maybe mentally it’s not such a big deal for our riders to be at the Kentucky Horse Park, but I still think that because of what the competition is it’s not that much of an advantage. Possibly our horses handle the weather and the footing better than say horses from California, but you could say the same for horses from Virginia or somewhere like that.

“I think NAJYRC is still super for the 1* kids, and I’d love to try and change the 2* age to 25, and if the kids are moving on to bigger and better things by then – great, but it still opens the door, I know of four or five kids who would still be here competing in the 2* at NAJYRC if the age was 25. I think it cuts them off a little bit early in this country, and I know it’s an FEI thing and that’s global, and how do you accommodate everybody, that’s the question?”

Alexis Murray and My Principle were the only fallers and were both reportedly up and none the worse for wear, and two other riders fell off but are also fine. On the whole the course rode very well, with mistakes fairly well-spread out around the course. There were 38 clear jumping rounds, nine of those had time faults, and five pairs had one or more stops. More pictures will be up on the EN Facebook later tonight.

The CCIYR2* Division

Nicole Doolittle and Tops jump beautifully round but add time to their leading dressage score to slip into 2nd place overnight at NAJYRC 2015. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Nicole Doolittle was first out on course this morning on the lovely grey Tops and in pole position but an unfortunate hard peck on landing after Fence 3 shook her confidence and after that she rode fairly conservatively, racking up 20 time penalties to slip into second place.

Moving into pole position after cross country with a quick clear round – Diane Portwood and Cinerescent for Area III. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Her Area III team mate Diane Portwood cruised round inside the time on her grey OTTB Cinerescent to take over the lead, and she commented that although she too was careful in some places due to the wet footing she was always fairly confident that her speedy little mare would make the time.

Paige Pence and Class Action jump clear round the CCI** XC for Area VIII. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Paige Pence from Area VIII listened to Diane talk about her nippy TB with a rueful smile for she accrued 18.4 time penalties but laughingly said that was absolutely as fast as ‘Dan’ (Class Act) could go as he’s naturally lazy and needs persuading that he’s out on a 2* XC course and not hacking!

Madison Gallien and Beau Voyageur. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Please do watch the press conference videos for more from these three charming ladies, as well as from the CCI* team and individual standings, and also spare a thought for Madison Gallien who missed out a fence on Beau Voyageur in the latter part of the course in the 2* division and so was pulled up on a technical elimination – we’ve all been there at some point and hopefully she’ll never do it again but it’s still miserable to have it happen here.

The weather has been classic Kentucky summer which probably could be anything but today has been hot and humid, damn hot! Huge props to all the grooms, the support teams, the volunteers and the riders, especially the jump judges – anyone who’s been outside all day today and everyone Lily and I bumped into has been wonderfully friendly and sweet #kentuckyproud!

Let’s hope the horses and their teams get some rest tonight, and we’ll look forward to an exciting conclusion the NAJYRC tomorrow. Many thanks for joining us here in Lexington today, and massive congratulations to Team USA up in Canada – Go Eventing!

Camilla Grover-Dodge and Remington lead the CCI* at NAJYRC after the dressage phase at the Kentucky Horse Park. Photo by Samantha Clark.

We’ve seen some really lovely tests and some great riding in the CH-J1* division here today at the Kentucky Horse Park for the Adequan FEI NAJYRC, and all sorts of different types of horses, but at the close of business it was the two most experienced horses in the field, both from Area II – Camilla Grover Dodge’s ride Remington, and Morgan Booth’s Twizzel who finished in the top two spots.

Of course Remington and Twizzel are no strangers to the Horse Park, they’ve both completed the Rolex CCI4* here several times but how inspiring to see them back here looking so pleased with themselves, in ridiculously good form, and clearly relishing their new roles.  Many thanks to Camilla for a quick chat as she waited to support her teammates riding later in the day.

Ron and Densey Juvonen practically invented event horse syndication here in the US and have been through thick and thin with Boyd Martin, but this is their first trip to NAJYRC and they also kindly stopped to chat about what it’s like to watch their granddaughter take on the ride on Remington.

Many thanks to Ron and Densey for chatting, and huge congratulations to them and also not little admiration for how calmly they seem to be taking it all in their stride; as a very embarrassing horse show mother (tears, happy tears!) I salute them!

Morgan Booth and Twizzel move into 2nd place after dressage at NAJYRC 2015. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Morgan Booth had to wait until the very end of the day to ride Twizzel by which time the Kentucky heat was kicking in  but she said he rose to the occasion regardless, “he felt really, really good; he came in the ring and I think he thought he was at Rolex – which is good! He lit up a little bit and I had to keep him together and remember not to go for it too much.

“Will [Coleman] always says not to ride the medium, just to let him do it. He was really good. The only bobble I had was in the corner but I think we fixed it ok, and he was great. It was a good feeling to halt and know that he’d done it and know that he’d done a good test, and then I was exhausted and felt the heat! Twizzel definitely lit up when he heard the crowd and it was so nice to turn and see everyone – my team, my family, Mr Coleman who owns him with his son Will [Will and Katie are planning on coming to watch Saturday but were competing at Maryland today]. It was really great, there are so many people that are a part of the team that don’t always get to be recognised so to have them there was really nice.”

Did Will give Morgan any last minute advice before she went today? “He told me to have fun because sometimes I get a bit intense!”

Skyler Decker rode Inoui Van Bost beautifully to help Area II into first place after dressage at NAJYRC

Once again this puts Area II in a crazy strong position going into tomorrow’s cross country, but of the four only one team member, Morgan Booth, at 18 the oldest, has been here before.

Skyler Decker rode Inoui Van Bost beautifully today for a score of 53.2 – a horse she’s had for a year now she describes him as quirky but I’d describe him as a serious prospect for the future.

Amanda Beale Clement and Peter Pan – “he bites and kicks and won’t cross tie” but pulled it out in the little white box to finish in the top ten individually and contribute to Area II’s domination of NAJYRC so far

Amanda Beale-Clement rode her thorougbred Peter Pan, also a more experienced horse into 9th place with a score of 46.5. Please make sure and watch the Area II Team press conference video  so you can learn more about these girls and their horses as soon as possible.

In the meantime, we did manage to grab a couple of minutes with team coach Sinead Halpin to discuss why she keeps coming back to NAJYRC, and how she tackles such a high profile bunch of horses for such an intense period of time.

Mackenna Rold and Fernhill Imperial round out the top three after dressage at NAJYRC

Finishing in third place behind such heavy hitters was the very impressive bay gelding Fernhill Imperial ridden by Area IV’s Mackenna Rold.

Mackenna picked ‘Perry’ out from Carol Gee’s Kilkenny farm a couple of years ago and to compete in the CCI* here at NAJYRC has always been her goal since then, “I clicked with him right away and I knew he was the one that I wanted.  He’s definitely been a challenging ride; he looks straightforward but he’s got a lot of buttons that I’ve discovered that I didn’t know were there before! He’s come a long way but he’s really goofy and fun to be around and fun to ride. I’m really happy about the cross country course, I’ve walked it three times – twice with Emily and once by myself and it looks pretty good. It looks really forward going which will suit him, he’s got a nice big stride so I think it will be a good course for him to go out and push for the time.”

Area IV support their team mate nervously!

Emily Beshear was a fairly last-minute substitution for Jon Holling as team coach for Area IV, and we chatted briefly about what it takes to step in and take over, “I think that’s where you have to really separate out in your mind the difference between training and coaching.  They came in early and we had a couple of days over the weekend and we talked about specific training things and how to change things, and then once we got here on the grounds it was more about taking what we have and making it smooth, presenting the best picture.

“In my mind the biggest thing is just having to clarify that coaching is making the best of what we have and that’s what we’ve been trying to do; in knowing that I wasn’t going to change  a lot about how they rode I’ve focused on ringcraft – making them slow down their mind, make them think about what they want to do in each area of the ring to give their horse the best chance at each movement and all the girls have been so coachable and really keen to pick up on all those things, and just the fact that they can go into the ring in this environment and even put part of that together says a lot about their ability.”

Emily told me she’s enjoying her NAJYRC experience so far, “I was really looking forward to it coming in and I think I was pleasantly surprised with the quality I was given to work with right from the start; they all have a lot of potential so I think that’s been really exciting. All four horses are really good jumpers; we knew today was going to be a little bit tricky with some of the personalities of the horses but all the girls have been great to work with so it’s been wonderful.”

Emily went up to Minnesota for two days, and did one day show-jumping with the squad, then one day cross country schooling to get an idea of what they might need to work on, and how to advise them on the next two phases, “That, and just trusting that the girls know their horses. When we’ve walked the course we’re walking in pairs based on horse types, and being able to approach the course differently based on what horse they have, so that’s how we’re making do.”

Autumn Smith and Mercury

Ian Roberts is also here coaching Autumn Smith on Mercury, which might at first seem like a strange choice given that his son Waylon is representing Canada in the Pan Am Games in Toronto this weekend, but as he explained, “I can’t really contribute too much at this point there, but Autumn definitely benefits from me being here. We’ve got a good bunch of Canadians here, they’re all very inexperienced but we’ve got some very good jumping horses and we’ll see how it all plays out.”

I asked Ian if he’s nervous for Waylon and if it’s easier or more difficult to cope being so far away, “It’s just another horse show. I keep track in the same way as any other, but it’s another horse show”  and what advice would Ian give to both Autumn and Waylon before they set off on cross country tomorrow? “Just go and ride your rides!”  Wise words indeed.

Wishing all the riders tomorrow safe and speedy rounds. Cross country starts bright and early at 8am and we’ll be on the grounds to bring you all the action. Many thanks to all the volunteers who endured the heat with unfailing patience and good humour, to all the riders, supporters, grooms, teams, coaches and chefs, families and everyone who was out here enjoying the action today.

See you back out at the Horse Park tomorrow, we’ll have more photos on the EN Facebook page, and to quote Morgan (you have to watch the video!) Go USA in Canada, GO NAJYRC and Go Eventing!

Area III's Nicole Dolittle and Tops lead the CCI2* division after the dressage phase at 2015 Adequan FEI NAJYRC Photo by Samantha Clark

Area III’s Nicole Doolittle didn’t let the fact that she was the first competitor in the CCI2* ring this morning at the Kentucky Horse Park for the Adequan FEI NAJYRC bother her too much, and rode one of her best tests at the level on the experienced grey gelding Tops, to hold a commanding lead throughout the small, four horse division on a score of 47.7.

“I’m so, so happy with him, he was amazing today. I’ve been lucky to do this 2* test twice this year and it’s quite different than in years past but today it flowed really nicely and I was super happy with it. Yesterday when I found out I was going in first I was a little nervous originally and then he came out in warm-up today and was just fantastic and all the nerves just melted away.”

Nicole actually followed her older sister Jamie into the ring; Jamie did the test ride on her dressage horse Talisman, a 12 year old Andalusian. Jamie did the CCI2* in 2012 with her mare but then switched to dressage after an accident led to her having to put her down. T

alisman was imported here from Spain (yes, the Spanish Riding School!) about a year ago and was doing just his 8th show ever; Jamie offered to do the test ride as she’s grooming for Nicole this weekend and thought it would be a good opportunity to see how Talisman reacted in a big arena and atmosphere, “He was definitely a little lit up but he was a good boy, I’m proud of him”.

Jamie Dolittle and Talisman were the CCI2* NAJYRC guinea pigs Photo by Samantha Clark

Jamie did her first NAJYRC in 2010 and Nicole groomed for her then, and “we’ve been bouncing back and forth until now, and so I think we both kind of know how we react, and how we handle nerves and stress, and we’re a pretty good team. She knows exactly what to say to calm me down. We’ll give each other advice if it’s really obvious but otherwise we’ll try to stay out of coaching each other – we’re sisters and we’re only a couple of years apart so it can get a little…you know! But we do help each other out!”

Nicole was never in any doubt about coming to the Kentucky Horse Park to contest the 2* division regardless of the recent rule changes and tiny division, “The footing was incredible especially after all the rain we’ve had lately; the Kentucky Horse Park has done a beautiful job of draining what needs to be drained and the dressage footing was just incredible. It’s a bit disappointing that more people didn’t come but for me at least this has always been the best 2* there is, the best type of courses, the best atmosphere for Young Riders, so this has always been a goal for me all year and I like to stick to it.”

Paige Pence and Class Action Photo by Samantha Clark

Local rider Paige Pence rides with Area VIII coach Cathy Weischoff fairly regularly, and was overwhelmed at the end of her test on Class Action, “He was really good, he was such a good boy, it was one of the best tests I’ve ever had so I’m very, very happy so I’m in tears he was so good! A few sticky moments but overall really, really good. We had a couple of sticky moments in the warm-up with the turn on the haunches, but we pulled through and I’m just really happy with the way he performed.”

Being from Louisville, the surroundings were pretty familiar to Paige, “We come here all the time, it’s like our back yard, the horses are really familiar with the turf and everything so it puts a little less pressure on them.”

Paige’s score of 59.6 leaves them in 2nd place going into the cross country phase, and she agreed with Nicole that it never occurred to her not to come to NAJYRC this year, “I was always going to come. I worked really hard to qualify for the 2* and when I found out that it wasn’t going to be a championship I said, ‘you know what, I worked hard to be here and I’m going to represent Area VIII and still do the 2*.’”

Diane Portwood and Cinerescent slipped into 3rd place for Area III. Diane is a working student with Kyle Carter and has had the grey mare for three years since she was a nine year old – before that the OTTB had been languishing in a field for seven years, and they’re veterans of the CCI* here at NAJYRC in 2013.

Diane admits that dressage is not her favourite phase and that she gets nervous, “It felt a little bit tense but I always struggle with that, I tend to freak out in there! I was really happy with her though, I think we put together our most consistent test yet.”

Interestingly Diane said that both Leslie and Kyle coached her two completely different things to achieve the same thing! (Much more in the press conference video to come soon!) The mare has yet to have a cross country penalty so Diane is looking forward to Saturday, “She’s a fantastic horse, she’s so kind, I’ve been really lucky to be able to have a horse like her.”

Diane Portwood and Cinerescent Photo by Samantha Clark

Cinerescent had most of last year off with a coffin bone bruise and just started back again in November.

Diane works out for a couple of hours every day at the gym doing Crossfit or Mixed Martial Arts after a full day’s work at Kyle Carter’s barn, and plans on running round the cross country course herself at least a couple of times before she rides it; in the fall she’ll start a double engineering degree at the University of Georgia, “I graduated a semester early from high school and then took a gap year, and I’ll actually be starting as a sophomore because I took so many AP classes in high school that I have the credit hours to start. I’m excited but at the same time I love Kyle’s program and I’ve been super involved in it and it will be really hard to leave. We’re hoping to move Cinerescent up to Advanced in April and 3* next year, and I’ll have to figure out how to balance that and a double engineering major but I’ll do it!” Impressive much?!

Madison Gallien and Beau Voyageur Photo by Samantha Clark

Massive props to Area 1’s Madison Gallien who rode with such grace when Beau Voyageur threw all his toys out of the pram and refused to play nicely; she handled him beautifully and got through it as calmly and efficiently as possible when for a moment it looked like she might not even get into the arena, and then at times perhaps not complete the test. Even more impressive were her rueful smiles for her team and crew as she came out, and her fabulous attitude at the press conference later.

We’re uploading the video of the press conference with all four ladies as we type this, and you’ll see for yourself what a classy bunch this division is, and we’ll put tons more of the dressage pictures on our Facebook page.

Wishing them all super rides on Saturday, and looking forward to chatting to them, and getting to know them all a bit better this weekend. Well done ladies, and all your hardworking teams today. Go NAJYRC and Go Eventing!

Area VI is all smiles. Photo by Samantha Clark.

All forty six horses presented for the CCI* Junior Championships, and all four horses presented for the Young Rider CCI**were accepted at the First Horse Inspection, but for Canada’s Shelby Brost and Obie Hayv in the Junior Division.

Six horses were held in total, and then five of those were ultimately accepted upon re-presentation before the Ground Jury – those horses and riders were Canada’s Alexis Murray and My Principle, USA’s Mikensey Johansen and Exterminator, and Parker Miller with Jos Baco, Madelynn Snoozy and Udealer, and Mariah Gallien with Clonmethan Crest.

Claire Jan and Artistic Flair – a 14.2 Morgan from Area IX, they’ll be coached by local rider Allie Knowles this weekend. Photo by Samantha Clark.

All the teams looked beautiful – very smartly presented and very appropriate, with just one rider losing a shoe on the runway. The horses also look fabulous, really well-turned out, and full marks to all the grooms and support crew, and even the chefs and coaches for getting jazzed up too.

How nice also to bear witness to smiling faces, good manners, great team spirits – EN is drinking the NAJYRC kool aid and basking in all the young love and enthusiasm! Keep it up, kids! We have tons of pictures that we’ll putting up shortly on the EN Facebook page, and you  can find all the times for tomorrow here.

Area VIII’s Cathy Weishchoff. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Young Rider dressage starts at 8:30am Thursday with Jamie Dolittle and Talisman doing the guinea pig test, and then Nicole Doolittle and Tops kicking off the division proper at 8:50am.

Sadly there are only four riders in the section but EN will be on the scene to bring you all the action. The Juniors do their dressage on Friday (kicking off bright and early at 7:30am, woohoo!) .

Nicole Doolittle and Tops. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Many thanks to all the wonderful, smiling, helpful volunteers at the Horse Park today, to Adequan for their support and for handing out super-smart caps to all the riders at the jog, and of course to all the riders, grooms, family and support crew.

Looking forward to a fantastic weekend with the kids in Kentucky, and stay tuned for an interview with Area II’s Meg Kep about how to budget a team – Go NAJYRC and Go Eventing!

The 2015 North American Junior Young Rider Championships eventing teams are all settled in at the Kentucky Horse Park in readiness for Wednesday afternoon’s First Horse Inspection, not helped by the sweltering weather and frequent heavy thunderstorms which although they have kept the Bluegrass looking incredibly green this summer, are also to thank for some scary flash flooding and incredible lightning displays lately.

The forecast going forward into the weekend is slightly better so let’s all cross our fingers that we’ll have smoother sailing as far as the weather is concerned for our competitors from now on.

Most of the horses and riders we saw today were schooling on the flat with their coaches, hand grazing, and hacking around the park. The First Horse Inspection is in the afternoon tomorrow, and the cross country course will be open for walking (and photos).

Thanks to the three coaches we caught up with today – Sinead Halpin, Momo Laframboise, and Leslie Law, and we’ll be out at the Horse Park all day tomorrow for more NAJYRC action.  GO NAJYRC and GO Eventing!