One of my favorite pastimes in the week after an event is reading through all the coverage written by other outlets and journalists of said event, to see which angle everyone chose to take to cover the same overall story. But as it turns out, I also really like finding videos and social media ‘coverage’ of the event from those who attended as keen spectators — and this lovingly collected and edited compilation really does the $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce’s Field justice. We get so used to seeing these events from the media zone behind the scenes that it’s pretty incredible to see it through your eyes — and it helps stave off the post-event blues, too. A win-win, as they say!
EN TRENDS:
Articles Written 1,919
Article Views
4,869,515
Achievements
Become an Eventing Nation BloggerLatest Articles Written
Aston le Walls Takes on Barbury’s International Classes – Plus Adds a New CCI1*
Behind closed doors but no less buzzy for it, Aston-le-Walls has set the stage for a useful spring four-star this season. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Following the news of Barbury International’s departure from the British Eventing and FEI calendar, a successful tender process has resulted in its International fixtures being relocated to another popular venue. Aston le Walls in Northamptonshire will now host Barbury’s Novice, CCI3*-S, and CCI4*-S classes, subject to FEI approval, from July 7 to 9 — and in even more exciting news, they’ll also be adding a CCI1*, which gives less experienced competitors the chance to try their hand at FEI competition. This class was previously hosted at Offchurch Bury.
Also well-served by new appointments are Pony riders, who will now benefit from a CCIP2* at Aston from May 10-14. This class joins the British Pony Championships at Belsay (June 1-4) and the CCI1* at Blair Castle (August 24-27) as a three-strong offering specifically for ponies in 2023.
“We are really looking forward to seeing international competition at Aston le Walls this summer,” says BE Chief Executive, Helen West. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Nigel Taylor and his team for their efforts in stepping up to deliver this fixture, which I am sure will provide three days of fabulous competition. There has been significant reinvestment back into the Aston site providing all-weather surfaces and guaranteed good going at a time of the year when ground conditions can be challenging. I am confident this will be well-received by the competitors.”
This isn’t the first time Aston, which also runs a full repertoire of national-level events through the year, has hosted an International. They played host to a Chatsworth replacement in 2021 behind closed doors, proving that they have the space and the facilities to run a busy fixture at the four-star level.
Friday News & Notes Presented by Stable View
View this post on Instagram
Our thoughts are with Piggy and Tom March, who unexpectedly lost Cupid March, the young stallion at the heart of their fledgling breeding programme, to a sudden colic earlier this week. Owning horses can be so replete with extraordinary highs, but the lows — particularly the ones that blindside you, like a colic can — are so low. We have no doubt that with their combined experience and unrivalled eye for a horse, they’ll have another exciting young stallion on the roster soon — but nothing can ever truly replace a horse you’ve loved.
U.S. Weekend Preview:
Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, GA): [Website] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
SAzEA Spring H.T. (Tucson, AZ) : [Website] [Entries] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Southern Pines H.T. (Raeford, NC) : [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Full Gallop Farm March I H.T. (Aiken, SC) : [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]
News From Around the Globe:
Picking the perfect coach is a little bit like finding the right horse. It’s not always an easy process, and sometimes you have to try a bunch that don’t quite work before you land on the right fit for you — but waiting for the best match is always worth the wait in the long run. The right coach, like the right horse, will make learning fun, even on the crap days, and will fill you with confidence while you tackle things beyond your comfort zone. Here’s an interesting read on how, and why, to take the time to get it right.
Is the whip on its way out? Captain Mark Phillips thinks so — and, he reckons, if we want to survive as a sport, we need to get used to that fact sooner rather than later. His latest column for Horse&Hound focuses on the shifting nature of sport amid the beady eyes of social licence, as well as some of the key topics debated at this year’s FEI Eventing Forum. It’s a salient read, and one that raises some very thoughtful points into the debate.
Reckon you’d like a job in a breeding shed? Being a broodmare manager has some seriously cool moments — hello, playing with adorable foals! — but is also a seriously tough role. (Also, foals kick.) Find out more about the qualifications needed and the expectations within the job here.
If you’re a Wordle player, you probably had a big day the other day. Unless, of course, you don’t use ‘horse’ as your starting word, and then maybe you feel a bit like you were left out of all the fun. My starting word is ‘auger’, so I feel ya.
Are you in charge of a bunch of barn rats? Sign them up for this free online course aimed at teens, which focuses on equine diseases and prevention, and is free for a limited time!
Watch This:
Tune in for live dressage from Montelibretti, where the First Nations Cup of the year is underway!
Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Move to New Zealand to Work on a Stud (Vicariously, Anyway)
I love a good documentary feature on horses that’s aimed at the uninitiated, who I can always imagine watching it with some mix of revulsion and shock and maybe a little bit of wonder, too – especially when it’s about breeding. In this episode of ‘Just the Job’, one of those great shows in which some hapless chap tries out a bunch of highly specialised and usually fairly difficult roles, we’re heading to New Zealand to see how a career in the enigmatically labelled ‘equine’ suits him. Buckle up, you poor chap.
Poor performance? Sour attitude?
Neigh-Lox® Advanced provides a scientifically advanced blend of ingredients that work synergistically to maintain your horse’s digestive tract in peak condition by supporting both the gastrointestinal tissues and the beneficial bacteria that populate the gut. Maintaining a healthy digestive tract reduces the risk of colonic and gastric ulcers, colic, laminitis related to hindgut acidosis, and oxidative stress that damages digestive tract tissues themselves. Horses with a well-balanced GI tract have good appetites, absorb more nutrients from their diets, maintain a strong immune system, and stay healthier.
The horse that matters to you matters to us®. KPPusa.com.
Have you grabbed your winter running horse stickers? Check them out at KPPusa.com/winter23.
Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products
I’m going to leave this here for you with little to no comment, because that squeal really does speak for itself, doesn’t it?
Events Opening Today: Meadowcreek Park-The Spring Social Event, Sporting Days Farm April H.T. III, River Glen Spring H.T., Fair Hill International April H.T. & CCI-S
Events Closing Today: Full Gallop Farm March II H.T., Texas Rose Horse Park H.T., March Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks
Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:
We all know a bit about soft tissue injury in horses: how to prevent it, how to treat it, how much time off to factor in after it happens. But what about our own tendons and ligaments? What does a similar injury mean for a rider? Writer and dressage rider Laura Adriaanse found out firsthand when a potentially torn ACL derailed her best-laid plans for 2023 – and she’s learned a thing or two along the way about herself, too. [A good blog to start your day]
Showjumper Ludger Beerbaum has had a bit of a dampener to the start of his 2023 season. The German rider took a tumble while competing at the Global Champions Tour in Qatar and has broken his leg, requiring a significant surgery and a few new bits of metal to stabilise the whole thing. He’s recovering well now and will no doubt be back in action soon. [Ludger sidelined]
Ever wondered who the folks behind the scenes at USEA are? In their ongoing series, they’re aiming to make sure you can put a face to a name — and this week, you can ‘meet’ the dynamic duo behind the Membership department. [Meet Jennifer and Cindy]
And finally, if you follow Swedish eventer Sofia Sjoborg on Instagram, you’ve probably seen her horses wearing some pretty funky trousers. Those trousers are actually a new device designed to minimise lower-limb swelling, and we’ve got the research behind them for your perusal. [Great if your horse isn’t easily embarrassed]
Sponsor Corner:
Are you planning to put your mare in foal this year? It’s important you get up-to-speed on Vitamin E, and what it can mean for your horse’s reproductive efficiency. Save time, stress, and expense by giving your mare all the nutrients she needs – more info here from Kentucky Performance Products here!
Watch This:
Getting ready for your first event of the year? You’re in good company.
Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack
View this post on Instagram
The British eventing season FINALLY began over the weekend, and in true English style, it was cold, a bit damp, and absolutely packed to the rafters with superstars out for their first spin. We’re counting down the days until our first UK competition, which will see an EN two-hander head to Thoresby at the end of the month. Bring it on!
National Holiday: It’s National Dentist Day. Have you checked your horse’s hooks lately?
U.S. Weekend Action:
$50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Live Stream] [Results] ] [EN’s Coverage]
Full Gallop Farm March Wednesday H.T. (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Results]
Rocking Horse Winter III H.T (Altoona, FL): [Website] [Results]
Sporting Days Farm March H.T. II (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Results]
Twin Rivers Winter H.T. (Paso Robles, CA): [Website] [Results]
Monday News & Notes:
Imagine the scene: you buy one horse, expecting to have a lovely new steed to ride, and a few weeks later, you get two bonus ones. That’s what happened with this sweet mare, who unexpectedly popped out not one but two foals just after finding herself with a safe place to land. Some quick thinking and teamwork meant that all three came through the experience healthy and happy. [A true baby boom]
The counter-canter is one of the most useful tools you can have at your disposal. Not only does it help you rebalance your horse and develop lateral suppleness and independence — it’s also something you’ll need to demonstrate in some tests. [Here’s how to perfect it]
Ensuring your horse is cared for in his twilight years is one of the most crucial parts of being an owner. Unfortunately, it’s often one of the trickiest, too — especially when some retirement facilities prioritise dollar signs over care. This interesting op-ed posits that competitive governing bodies should take some responsibility for retirees, just as racing does. [Join the conversation]
The FutureTrack Follow:
British-based Moroccan eventer Noor Slaoui brings some very cool content to your feed: from updates on her training and competitions, to insights on what it’s like to be one of your country’s sole representatives in the sport, to flashback posts like this one.
Morning Viewing:
Get your youngster ready for his first course with these super tips from Heidi Woodhead and DHI Sport Horses.
Saturday Video: Check Out the $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Cross-Country
It’s been a wildly exciting couple of days at the $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce’s Field, where we watched Doug Payne deliver a stonking sub-20 start with Starr Witness, hold his lead through showjumping — and then, ultimately, slip just one spot down to second with a classy cross-country round. You can head on over to the full competition report to find out who took the win, but in the meantime, enjoy reliving his ride and check out this tough, exciting course!
Thursday Video: Gridwork for the Green Horse
I’ve gotten a big rush of the pre-season thirst for education this week, and so you’ve probably noticed a theme to my video picks: most of them are training tips that’ll help you get your horse into the swing of things to come as we tackle March. More specifically, I’ve been watching a lot of videos tailored to the inexperienced horse, many of whom will find their workload starting to step up a notch in intensity and technicality this month. Today’s video comes from Heidi Woodhead of DHI Sport Horses, who has some great gridwork tips to help you set yourself up for success this weekend. Happy riding!
Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Warming Up Your Youngster for Jumping
Jay Halim is a bit of a legend in his own right: previously a top-level event rider himself, he’s now a prolific showjumper. But beyond that? He keeps a foot in both camps as a trainer, and most notably, he’s known for helping Laura Collett and London 52 basically take over the world with his final-phase wisdom. Not all of us are lucky enough to be able to wangle a spot in his busy schedule, but fortunately for us all, he’s embarked upon an educational training series with Horse&CountryTV, and the first episode — which focuses on warming up the young horse for jumping — is free to watch. Check it out!
Poor performance? Sour attitude?
Neigh-Lox® Advanced provides a scientifically advanced blend of ingredients that work synergistically to maintain your horse’s digestive tract in peak condition by supporting both the gastrointestinal tissues and the beneficial bacteria that populate the gut. Maintaining a healthy digestive tract reduces the risk of colonic and gastric ulcers, colic, laminitis related to hindgut acidosis, and oxidative stress that damages digestive tract tissues themselves. Horses with a well-balanced GI tract have good appetites, absorb more nutrients from their diets, maintain a strong immune system, and stay healthier.
The horse that matters to you matters to us®. KPPusa.com.
Have you grabbed your winter running horse stickers? Check them out at KPPusa.com/winter23.
Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products
Michael Jung and fisherChipmunk FRH. Photo by Shelby Allen.
And just like that, Kentucky entries have officially opened! We can’t wait to see who’s going to come forward for this showcase of top-end equestrian sport: will Magic Michi return to defend his 2022 crown? Will we see a Brit attempt to regain control? Or will we have another US victor for the first time since 2008? Hold onto your hats, folks, because it’s all getting exciting now!
Events Opening Today: Poplar Place April H.T., Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, Spring Bay H.T., Unionville H.T. (pending USEF approval), Longleaf Pine H.T., FENCE H.T., Twin Rivers Spring International
Events Closing Today: Ram Tap National H.T., Pine Top Spring H.T., Ocala Winter II, Carolina International CCI & H.T.
Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:
When you think of the riders of USEA’s Stallion of the Year awards, you probably think about factory-line pros. But for Bethany Hutchins-Kristen, whose Geluk HVF won the title in 2022, life is much more of a balancing act. [Meet the winners]
Lauren Spritzer’s weighing in on the social license debate, and as ever, her take is measured, sensible, and opens up the floor for discussion. In it, she presents the point that most people outside our industry don’t actually have a knowledge of the specifics of horse sport — but they do have the capacity to have an emotional response to what they see. That, she argues, isn’t helped by our tendency to ‘eat our young’ on social media, vilifying one another for tiny moments in time that we interpret as we see fit. [Read her thoughts here]
Speaking of social media, it can make us feel like everyone is progressing faster than us. And actually, there are few educational benchmarks for riders, other than, say, moving up a level, which should never be the be-all and end-all anyway. So how can you make sure your education is progressing at the right clip? [Here are some good ideas]
Sponsor Corner:
Eventing season is looming, and if your horse is looking a bit like a broodmare, your stress levels are no doubt rising — how on earth are you going to get this thing eventing fit in time?! Fortunately for you, Kentucky Performance Products has the feeding tips you need for the chubby horse coming into spring, so you and your four-legged best friend will be flying ’round those beefy courses again in no time. [Here’s how to slim down — safely]
Watch This:
There’s nothing I enjoy more than the gentle chaos of the first cross-country school of the year. Join in with Lucy Robinson and ex-racehorse Ember’s first go here:
Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack
View this post on Instagram
This sweet tribute to Allstar B, Ros Canter’s late World Champion, has really got me this morning. It reminds me how lucky we all our to share our lives with our own special horses, but it also reminds me how truly fortunate I am to get to travel the world watching these legends of the sport in action week after week. Hug your ponies for me today, gang, because through the good days and the bad, they remain pretty great, don’t they?
National Holiday: It’s International Polar Bear Day. These guys are having a pretty crap time at the moment, all things considered, with the speedy melting of the polar ice caps, so for their sake, let’s all try to be a bit sustainably-minded today (and, well, forever, if we can!).
U.S. Weekend Action:
Full Gallop Farm Mid February H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Results]
Pine Top Advance H.T. (Thomson, GA) [Website] [Results]
Three Lakes Winter II H.T. at Caudle Ranch (Groveland, FL) [Website] [Results]
Your Monday Reading List:
When Anne Sagalyn first set eyes on Arabian ex-racehorse Laz, it wasn’t exactly love at first sight. But over time, and with plenty of trust and patience, something magical started to happen – and her background in clinical psychology certainly played a major part in helping her to figure out the troubled, unhappy little horse she’d brought him. [From shut down to thriving]
Introducing a young horse to lateral work for the first time can be a process. But there’s actually plenty you can do to help them understand the aids through groundwork first, and it can make the whole shebang go a heck of a lot easier. [Here’s how the dressage pros do it]
We’ve all been there: one day, out of nowhere, your horse is 10/10 three-legged lame, and you don’t know why. Often, these dramatic lamenesses come down to one thing — and that’s a pesky hoof abscess. Here’s the 411 on what they are, where they come from, and how to deal with them. [The bane of horsey folk]
Meet Qatari showjumper Rami Younis, who actually rides for Canada despite living and riding in his Middle Eastern home country. The up-and-comer enjoyed spending last week competing at the spectacular CHI Al Shaqab, which truly took him back to his roots: prior to the Al Shaqab facility being one of the Gulf region’s biggest competition venues, it was structured more like a pony club around the extant Arab breeding facilities. [Showjumping around the world]
The FutureTrack Follow:
Fancy one extra bit of eventing inspiration on your feed each day? Amateur photographer Mace McLean can help, with his random rider of the day posts highlighting the great snaps he’s taken up and down the UK each year.
Morning Viewing:
Take a spin with baby horse Bea as she tackles her first cross-country with Elisa Wallace:
Barbury International No More: Unaffiliated Competition Dispute Sees BE and FEI Event Depart 2023 Calendar
Felicity Collins and RSH Contend OR jump through Barbury’s iconic Woodhenge fence. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Musketeer Event Management, the event organisation conglomerate responsible for a number of British Eventing’s most popular events, has today announced that it will not go ahead with its midsummer FEI fixture, Barbury International Horse Trials, in 2023. The decision was made as the result of recent restrictions placed upon venues by British Eventing, which limit fixtures hosting international classes from also hosting unaffiliated competition throughout the year in order to safeguard against unregulated competition.
Though Barbury has been a firm fixture within the British calendar since 2005, when it was awarded a CCI4*-S (then CIC3*) class in its first year of running. Since then, that class has remained its feature — and, for a few years, played host to an Event Rider Masters leg, too — and in 2019, Musketeer adopted it into its stable of competitions. In 2021, they added an unaffiliated fixture “to financially support the International fixture, which facilitates viability and continued investment in the wonderful site,” they write in a statement released today.
“MEM and BE sought to find a solution for alternative options, to ensure the viability of the International fixture at Barbury and, although BE offered the venue the opportunity to host a new GOBE fixture, no regular classes were permitted to run alongside,” continues the statement. “On review of entry levels for the events which hosted GOBE classes in 2022, it was determined that taking the risk of forfeiting three days of the Unaffiliated sport was too great. Consequently, in conjunction with Barbury Castle Estates, the decision was taken that the only financially viable option for the venue is to continue with the running of the Cotswold Cup fixture taking place over the weekend of 15th & 16th July.”
The cost of living crisis in Britain, and the rising cost of keeping horses, has seen a sharp uptick in participation in unaffiliated competition, which is often run over BE-approved courses at affiliated venues, but at a fraction of the cost. Series such as the Cotswold Cup aim to provide pathways and championships for those riders who want to continue with unaffiliated competition but still want access high-standard competition opportunities and exciting prize pots. Since its launch in 2021, the Cotswold Cup has offered a £10,000 prize pot at its Championship finale, making it grassroots eventing’s most significant payout.
“Barbury Castle Estate and Musketeer Event Management both remain completely committed to the continuation of International and grassroots Eventing at the venue, are extremely grateful for the support of all the sponsors and volunteers that add so much to the event and sincerely hope the International fixture will have the opportunity to return to this iconic venue in the future.”
“The decision by British Eventing to cancel the Barbury International Horse Trials is lamentable,” says Chris Woodhouse of Barbury Castle Estates. “Musketeer Event Management supported by the Estate have made a considerable investment over recent years to improve the event, support its financial viability during Covid and broaden the appeal to junior competitors. Insisting on affiliation of all events in order to boost the finances of British Eventing in a post Covid environment when competitors and the general public are struggling with the cost of living appears to me to be elitist and non-inclusive.”
British Eventing has also released a statement, which reads:
“The BE Board determined that, in light of the increased spotlight on equestrian sport’s social licence to operate, venues holding International fixtures in 2023 would be required not to hold unregulated competitions. As the National Governing Body for eventing in the UK, BE is committed to delivering a consistently regulated, safe, clean sport. BE has no jurisdiction over unregulated competitions, and cannot vouch for their compliance with FEI and BE requirements for sport; which have horse and rider welfare at their heart.
BE had hoped that Barbury would use the GO BE series to allow a wider group of competitors to access this iconic venue as part of the BE affiliated calendar; but regrettably the Organiser has opted not to.”
BE Chief Executive Helen West says, “As a National Governing Body for Olympic sport we need to set a standard. International events on home soil showcase the sport at its very best; providing a fair and level playing-field where safety, equine welfare, safeguarding and clean sport are mandatory. We feel that these standards should be upheld consistently by all those who are allocated international fixtures, therefore the decision was made by the BE Board that no international fixtures should be awarded to venues that run unregulated sport.”
Following the loss of Barbury, ordinarily held in the first week of July, there will now be a six-week gap between CCI4*-S classes in the UK in the middle of the season — but Barbury’s approximate date will be tendered to existing BE organisers in order to fill this gap.
Friday Video: Against All Odds, For the Love of Horses
I’ve taken a rather different sort of work trip this week and am writing this from the desert sun of Qatar, where I’m working as press liaison for the CHI Al Shaqab horse show. Under the bright lights of the capacious stadium, I’ve witnessed some extraordinary 5* sport – but actually, my real highlight of the competition so far has been getting my first opportunity to work on para dressage competition. Every athlete I’ve spoken to from across the grades has the most extraordinary stories to tell — from Grade IV US rider Kate Shoemaker, who evented as a teenager before taking up para-dressage due to white lesions that caused spasms and limited her motion through her right-hand side, to Grade I Dutch rider Annemarieke Nobel, whose limitations increased in the middle of the 2022 season, forcing a mid-summer Grade change and a whole new set of tests to work through (plus a brand new Freestyle to organise on next-to-no notice!). The horses, the riders, the teams around them have all lit up my brain with their inspiring, interesting stories of adaptability and tenacity — as well as sheer love of the horse. This short video features a rider I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting, but her story — and how she works with her physicality — will make you feel much the same, I think. This is why we do this.
Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: The Royal Eventing Legacy
Let me share with you a secret: during lockdown, while most people took up baking sourdough loaves and, I don’t know, writing gratitude journals, I accidentally became a royal correspondent…and not a very good one, either. I was asked to be a talking head on a TV documentary about Zara Tindall and her mother, the great Princess Anne, and frankly, I’ve never even watched the thing, partly because my grown-out lockdown highlights are SO offensive to look at, and partly because I think I waffled earnestly about missed clocks at the WEG more than anything else. I’m even more red-faced to admit I did another one after this (with a home-cut fringe, to make matters even worse). Look, we all had to make money somehow, and Carl Hester also got talked into doing it, okay? Anyway, here’s the sordid proof of the whole thing. Yes, my highlights look better now.
Wish your horse was calmer?
Spooky, tense, edgy, unfocused. If these words describe your horse, a calming supplement could make training easier and riding more fun.
Trouble Free is scientifically formulated to support healthy nervous system function and help your horse maintain a more confident, focused, and relaxed disposition.
Trouble Free:
- Contains alpha-lactalbumin, a unique ingredient that supports normal nerve function and maintains calmness.
- Helps horses maintain a relaxed attitude and supports a positive experience for both horse and rider.
- Provides supplemental thiamine (B1), taurine, inositol, and magnesium.
The horse that matters to you matters to us®.
Have you grabbed your winter running horse stickers? Check them out at KPPusa.com/winter23.
Yanmar America Takes On Sponsorship of Carolina CCI4*-S – and Reveals Sneak Peek of Entries!
Boyd Martin and Miss Lulu Herself. Photo by Joan Davis / Flatlandsfoto.
The eventing world would come to a shuddering halt if it weren’t for the phenomenal sponsors who fund competitions around the world – and if there’s one thing you can rely on Yanmar America never to do, it’s grind to a shuddering halt. Their tractors and farm equipment are the thang for the busy countryside type who has a to-do list as long as their arena and needs a versatile bit of kit with which to do it. That’s why it’s particularly exciting that they’ve taken on the mantle as sponsor for the feature CCI4*-S class at next month’s Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International CCI and Horse Trial, which is the first CCI4*-S class of the US season — and as part of their sponsorship deal, they’re providing the on-site emergency medical technicians with two of their market-leading UTVs, giving competitors peace of mind that they’ll be attended to quickly and reliably in case of a wobble on course.
Yanmar’s got some of the most useful bits of kit on the market for horsey folks.
Fancy putting your name down for a tractor, UTV, or bit of industrial kit for your farm? You’ll be able to check out the wares in person at the event, which runs from March 16-19.
“We are very much looking forward to working with the Carolina International to support this exciting event for the equine community,” says Jon Richardson, Director, Rural Lifestyle Division, Yanmar America. “Yanmar America has long supported bringing communities people together in the shared excitement of sports and is working to develop future generations through its sports sponsorships.”
“We are excited to welcome Yanmar America as the CCI4*-S sponsor for the Carolina International,” says Shannon Habenicht, Director of Development and Communications at the Carolina Horse Park. “Our EMTs will have reliable Yanmar equipment to provide support for the competitors, and visitors will get to see these distinctive red Yanmar tractors on display during the event.”
If you like your farm kit to come with the assurance of a long history of quality, Yanmar’s got you covered there. With beginnings in Osaka, Japan, in 1912, Yanmar was the first ever to succeed in making a compact diesel engine of a practical size in 1933. A pioneer in diesel engine technology, Yanmar is a global innovator in a wide range of industrial equipment, from small and large engines, agricultural machinery and facilities, construction equipment, energy systems, marine, to machine tools, and components around the world. Even better? They’re committed to sustainability — something we tend to fall short of as a sport. Keep on rocking, Yanmar!
Doug Payne and Starr Witness. Photo by Alison Green for Shannon Brinkman Photography.
The new partnership with Yanmar also offers us our first look at the entry list for the CCI4*-S, which has 22 star-studded entries with a week left until closing day. Among those are 2021 USEF CCI4*-L National Champions, Woods Baughman and C’Est La Vie 135, who led the dressage at October’s Maryland 5* — the event at which fellow entrants Elisa Wallace and Renkum Corsair took the CCI3*-L National title. This will be the eye-catching gelding’s debut CCI4*-S, and it’s set to be a move-up that many will have a close eye on. Olympian Doug Payne has an enviable triple hander in the inexperienced but exciting Camarillo, the flashy-toed Starr Witness, and the great-jumping Quantum Leap, who was a top-ten finisher at both Kentucky and Maryland last season, and Boyd Martin, too, will be keeping busy with three entries in this class. Bromont CCI3*-L victor Miss Lulu Herself will make her CCI4*-S debut, while Contessa, who was never out of the top ten in FEI classes last year, looks a hot tip for the business end of the leaderboard. If you watch winter horse transfers as keenly as some people watch… whatever ‘transfer season’ is in other sports, his third ride — Commando 3 — will be of particular interest. It’ll be their first FEI event together since the horse came over from Sweden’s Louise Romeike, who notched up ten top-ten finishes in internationals out of 18 starts across her tenure with the ten-year-old Holsteiner.
Liz Halliday-Sharp and Miks Master C. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Allie Knowles continues to be a fan favourite with her exceptional Irish Sport Horse Morswood, who was previously piloted by Piggy March and Susie Berry and is universally loved by, well, everybody, and there’ll be plenty of folks rooting for Liz Halliday-Sharp to have a great week with her two rides, the exceptional Cooley Quicksilver, who was in the top ten at Luhmühlen CCI5* last year, and Miks Master C, who was very impressive even as a new ride at Boekelo in October. Carolina will offer us a first opportunity to see how they’ve used their winter, and we reckon they could be onto some magic after a bit of getting-to-know-you time. Speaking of magic, wasn’t that US team silver in Pratoni sprinkled with just a touch of the stuff? You can catch up with individual rider Ariel Grald and her mount Leamore Master Plan — who did so well at the event that had they been on the team, the US would actually have won gold — at Carolina. Plus, see international jet setters Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire (and a second ride for Syd in the delightful Commando d’Osthuy, too), and a much-loved twofer in Pfun and Mama’s Magic Way for Will Faudree.
You can check out the list of entries for all classes — which will continue to be updated through the closing date of February 28 — here, and keep it locked on EN for all your Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International news!
British Eventing to Introduce Six- and Seven-Year-Old Classes in 2023
Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent add another completely penalty-free cross-country run to the mare’s spotless record at her second Le Lion d’Angers appearance in 2021. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
British Eventing’s commitment to providing pathways for young and upcoming horses and riders – a commitment we’ve seen magnified in 2023 – has been bolstered by a new series of classes for six- and seven-year-old horses this season.
These Young Horse classes are being supported by The Howden Way, which has provided a significant cash injection for the sport since its introduction last year. In this case, that means that the prize pot will be increased from that offered in the non-age-specific sections: the top three combinations in each class will receive £250, £150, and £100, respectively, on top of the prize money already stated on the schedule.
These new classes will be held across the spring and summer, allowing for horses of each age group to test their mettle against their peers – a huge benefit for owners and riders aiming their charges at the FEI World Breeding Championships at Le Lion d’Angers, which hosts a CCI2*-L World Championship for six-year-olds and a CCI3*-L World Championship for seven-year-olds.
Piggy French and Cooley Lancer, winner of the Six-Year-Old World Championship in 2019. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Six-year-olds will run at the Novice level, beginning with a kick-off event at Gloucestershire’s Cirencester Park from April 29-30. Seven-year-olds will run at the Intermediate level, beginning on the weekend of the 10-14 May at Northamptonshire’s Aston-le-Walls.
The full lists of venues and classes are available here:
“Developing the equine talent that we have in this country is vital to the future of our sport,” says Justine Parker, BE head of training and development. “The new provisions that we have been able to implement thanks to the support from The Howden Way – such as the Young Horse Academy – are helping us to take big strides forward in developing our home-grown talent. These new young horse ages classes will provide yet another string to the bow and will be invaluable for helping riders assess the progress of the equine proteges against their peers.”
Tuesday Video: The Next Ingrid Klimke?
Okay — so that’s a big accolade to award to a young rider. But Germany’s Greta Busacker isn’t just a gold medallist in her own right already — she’s also Ingrid’s daughter, and her deft, sensitive horsemanship definitely comes in part from her dam line (and the incredible education she’s received in the saddle as a result). We know that New York magazine has been pretty rough on the nepo babies recently, but Greta bucks the trend: she’s a true grafter and a lovely person, to boot, and it’s been great fun to watch her progression from the corner of my eye as I gallivant around Europe reporting for EN. Get to know her in this short feature from the FEI, and watch out for that name atop the big-time leaderboards soon!
More Sights and Sounds from Ram Tap: The Colored Poles Edition
James Alliston takes the win in the Advanced Intermediate with his Nemesis. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
James Alliston takes the win in the Advanced Intermediate with his Nemesis. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Another day, another dispatch from our friends on the West coast, who we love despite their favourable climate and beautiful topography. Over the weekend, we brought you a cross-country gallery from Ram Tap Horse Trials, courtesy of our pal Sherry Stewart — and today, we’ve got the top three in the upper level classes, photographed doing their thang over the poles. Congratulations to all these plucky riders and horses, whose full results from the show can be found here. Go Eventing!
James Alliston and Nemesis. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
James Allison and Tamie Smith – the AI division’s one-two. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Tamie Smith and Elliot V, second in the Advanced Intermediate. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Megan McIver and Elle, third in the Advanced Intermediate. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Lauren Billys Shady and Can Be Sweet win the OI at Ram Tap. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Hawley Bennett-Awad and 19-year-old stalwart Jollybo take second in the OI class. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Julie Wentworth takes third in the OI with KF Klosterbrau. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Tamie Smith and Kynan win the Open Prelim. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
It’s a good week in the office for Tamie Smith, who takes second place in the OP with Crafty Don. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Jolie Wentworth and Girl of California: third in the OP at Ram Tap. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Gabrielle Ringer and Get Wild take a victory in the Prelim Rider. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Elsa Warble and FE Unlimited finish second in the Prelim Rider division. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Molly Duda and the delightfully named Disco Traveller finish third in the PR class. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products
Is it eventing season yet?! I’ve travelled out to the Middle East this week to work on the press team for a major showjumping competition, which is great and all, but all I want is to find myself traipsing across an expansive field with a heavy camera in tow on a bustling cross-country day. I think the riders are feeling the same, too, judging by the sharp uptick in cross-country videos on my feed at the moment (and helped by the news that Badminton entries are officially open!)
Events Opening Today: CDCTA Spring H.T., Pine Hill Spring H.T., Rocking Horse Spring H.T., Stable View Spring 2/3/4* and H.T.
Events Closing Today: Full Gallop Farm March I H.T., SAzEA Spring H.T., Southern Pines H.T., Chattahoochee Hills H.T.
Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:
The Eventers’ Challenge class at Blenheim has long been a goal event for grassroots eventers all over the UK. Now, with a new organising team taking the helm, could this much-loved class make a welcome return? H&H spoke to the brains behind one of Britain’s most prestigious events to find out. [Exciting things in the pipeline]
High-flying ponies are a common sight here in the UK, but in the US, they’re a rarer sight. Donna Miller, though, is working hard to change that — and the exceptional stallion Coud’Poker, who won the USEA’s 2022 Pony of the Year prize, is certainly helping her to that end. [Read about him here]
Personality, it turns out, is partly genetic. Researchers who’ve been looking into these genes in horses have also found that many of them are the same as the ones humans have – so if you’ve ever felt like your horse really just gets you, it turns out you might not actually have been too far off. [What makes a personality?]
‘Horsemanship’ is a word we all toss around a lot, but its meaning is nebulous. What does it actually take to be a true horseman? Can anyone learn to do it? And will it make you a better rider in the long run? [All this and more, here]
Sponsor Corner: Do you envy those folks whose horses always gleam, even when they’ve just come in from the field? It’s not actually really down to endless grooming, silky silicone sprays, or even genetics (although good genes do help!) — instead, a deep bloom and an unvanquishable shine come down to great nutrition. Learning about the macronutrients that encourage this will help you to feed your horse accordingly — and the great news is that it’s an early indicator that you’ve finally nailed the balance in your horse’s diet. [KPP cracks the code]
Watch This:
Follow along as amateur eventer Lucy Robinson takes a jumping lesson with her ex-racehorse, Ember:
Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack
View this post on Instagram
How lucky are we to have horses? Seeing posts like this one, shared by English therapy pony team Dinky Ponies, really makes that hit home: even if there are occasional crap rides, or bad results, or frustratingly pricey vet bills, we still get the extraordinary comfort of having that sweet warm smell in our noses as we lean in for a good cuddle. That’s worth everything, I reckon.
National Holiday: It’s National Clean Out Your Bookshelf Day. Got any horse books gathering dust? Find an access program near you and consider donating them – there’s a kid out there who’s desperate to learn but has limited resources, and books and magazines are always so gratefully received. That was the greatest gift I ever received when I was a horse-mad but strapped kid.
U.S. Weekend Action:
Ocala Winter I (Ocala, FL): [Website] [Results]
Ram Tap H.T. (Fresno, CA): [Website] [Results]
Jumping Branch Farm H.T. (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Results]
Your Monday Reading List:
We’ve all been talking pretty much non-stop about social license and what it means for the sport. Now, a group of researchers has developed guidelines for how to actually change some of the pervasive beliefs and behaviours within our industry that are on track to be our downfall if we don’t. [Things that actually feel actionable]
Speaking of things people talk about a lot but maybe don’t fully have a plan for: mindfulness! To me, ‘mindfulness’ feels so buzzwordy, but actually, it’s a really crucial part of maximising your performance — and your enjoyment of the sport. For the uninitiated, these three exercises will serve as a useful introduction and a totally doable way to calm the noise in your head when it all gets a bit hectic, and they’re well worth adding to your toolkit. [Aaaaand breathe]
If you’re pregnant and riding, you’re probably getting bored of fielding the same questions. There’s unfortunately no cure-all that’ll encourage people to mind their own business, but if we can tempt you with a bit of company for that misery, [here it is]
The FutureTrack Follow:
View this post on Instagram
Regular Kentucky visitors will already be firm fans of Germany’s Anna Siemer, who came over to the event with her excellent mare FRH Butts Avondale a couple of years ago and quickly made herself the most-liked person in the state — but for those of you who are unfamiliar with the powerhouse, she’s probably the nicest person in the sport and her horses are pretty damn cool, too. Thank god for Instagram’s translate function: her regular, thoughtful posts are interesting and funny. Give her a follow and join in with the rise of the German team’s next superstar.
Morning Viewing:
An 86%+ dressage test to inspire and motivate you? Oh, go on, then.
Sunday Sights & Sounds: Cross-Country Action from Ram Tap
I, for one, have spent most of my February dreaming of sunshine and t-shirt weather, and so I was delighted to open up a glorious batch of cloud-free images from the West Coast, where friend of EN Sherry Stewart has been busy photographing Ram Tap Horse Trials. If you, like me, need a bit of escapism on this chilly Sunday, here’s a round-up of how cross-country played out, and which horses and riders made big moves into the top three of their respective classes from Modified through Advanced-Intermediate. The competition has now come to a close after a showjumping finale — and if you like spoilers, you can check out the live scores here — but for now, catch up on the day that was with these brilliant images, and stay tuned for more from Ram Tap!
James Alliston and Nemesis: leaders in the AI after cross country. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Tamie Smith and Elliot V hold second in the AI class after cross country. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Lauren LoPiccolo and Diego are third after cross country in the AI division in a crucial prep run ahead of Kentucky. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Hawley Bennett Awad and the evergreen Jollybo, now nineteen, lead the Intermediate after a classy round across the country. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Puerto Rico’s Lauren Billys Shady and Can Be Sweet sit second in the Intermediate after cross country. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Jolie Wentworth and JF Klosterbrau sit third after cross country in the Intermediate. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
James Alliston and Irish Pop move into the lead in the Open Preliminary after cross country. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Tamie Smith and Kynan: second in the OP after two phases. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Tamie Smith and the exciting Crafty Don sit third after cross country in the Open Prelim division. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Gabriella Ringer and Get Wild take the top spot in the Preliminary Rider division. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Elsa Warble and FE Unlimited – second in the PR division after cross country. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Grace Wechser and Rascadero: third in the Prelim Rider class after cross country. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Amber Biracial and Le Top F take the Modified lead after cross country. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Margot Chandler and Fancy Feet II step into second place following the Modified cross country. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Nicholas Cwick and Lowmax: third after cross country in the Modified section. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Saturday Video: Fit to Ride with Piggy March
What does it actually take to be a five-star rider — and winner? Lots of practice, sure; bucketloads of bravery, yes; a great support team, of course – and plenty of time spent working out, too. So how would us mere mortals fare if we went head to head with one of them on a workout? Vlogger Meg Elphick took one for the team and found out so the rest of us don’t have to!
Packed Schedule Revealed for $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce’s Field
2021 Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field winners Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Christine Quin Photography.
Eventing fans, rejoice: the good folks behind the $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce’s Field have just released their schedule for this year’s competition, taking place March 3–4 at Bruce’s Field in Aiken, and it’s a real whopper.
Alongside the competition itself, which boasts an ever-expanding list of big name horses and riders, there are plenty of other exciting opportunities to learn and be thoroughly entertained while you’re at the show. Whether you fancy walking the showjumping course with Phillip Dutton or the cross-country with Doug Payne and Boyd Martin, you’ll be able to do so — or, sit back, get comfy, and enjoy some brilliant demos and masterclasses from polo professionals, carriage drivers, and top riders, too.
There are still tickets available for both days for general admission, and although VIP chalets are now sold out, you can get your paws on Saturday VIP access. Although you’ll be able to get general admission tickets on the gate for just $25 per day, we highly recommend booking ahead, not least because you can enjoy a seriously good discount for doing so — especially if you’re planning to attend both days.
If you fancy getting involved in a more hands-on capacity, a number of fun and rewarding volunteer positions are still available, including as a cross-country decorator, dressage warm-up steward, cross-country videographer, and more. Check out all the positions and sign up here.
Here’s the schedule in full:
Go Bruce’s Field, and Go Eventing!
Stable View
Success Equestrian
FutureTrack
Sport Horse Nation
Juli Hutchings-Sebring
3/4* Absolute JUMPING MACHINE
