Here at EN HQ, we’re all abuzz over the forthcoming Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International, because it’s our first big outing of the year and from every murmur we’ve heard on the grapevine, it’s going to be bigger and better than ever before. That’s saying something, as you’ll know if you’ve been to the season palate whetter before, because it’s a very, very cool event. Anyway, in order to keep our butterflies in check and keep ourselves focused, we’ve been revisiting video content from previous years – and in our deep dives down the YouTube rabbit hole, we’ve found some gems that we reckon you’ll love, too. Sit back, get comfy, and tune in for a jolly good Carolina binge!
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We’re huge fans of the work of the Riding a Dream Academy, which was started in part by Khadijah Mellah after her historic win in the Magnolia Cup charity race at Goodwood a few years ago. That propelled the Ebony Horse Club rider into the next phase of her career, and after a successful ITV documentary film about her journey from inner-city access programme to the winners’ enclosure, she’s been using the momentum to ensure other young riders get similar opportunities. Now, two more of the riders who’ve received the Khadijah Mellah scholarship from the Riding the Dream Academy have been accepted to begin their tenure at the British Racing School, and the future is looking very bright indeed.
U.S. Weekend Preview:
Ocala Winter I (Ocala, FL): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Ram Tap H.T. (Fresno, CA): [Website] [Entries and Ride Times]
Jumping Branch Farm H.T. (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]
News From Around the Globe:
Meet Area VII Volunteer of the Year Sarah Airhart, who cut her teeth on the sport by climbing on the fences at her then-local Burghley Park as a kid, and has since become a pivotal part of eventing in the PNW. She’s also an advocate for mental health, which we love.
We all know that the equine mouth tells a story – but how clued up are you on oral anatomy? It’s always useful to get to grips with how your horse’s mouth should function, so give these 20 essential facts a read and impress the equine dentist at their next visit!
Imagine winning on your Advanced debut. Now imagine that you’ve done so on an ex-racehorse horse you produced yourself — oh, and you’re only nineteen. That’s how Rocking Horse played out for Canada’s Mikayla Hoffman, who’s a real one-to-watch for the seasons to come.
Heads up, Modified competitors: USEA has made a change to the B test that you’ll ride this year. It’s a very minor change but will affect how you manage your transition, so give it a read and everyone else, maybe have a refresher skim of the tests you’ve got memorised so you don’t get caught out by any changes either!
Thursday Video: Join in With a Pippa Funnell Masterclass
Riding with the likes of Grand Slam winner Pippa Funnell is a pipe dream for most of us — but fortunately, she’s not a woman who’s stingy with her expertise. Keen spectators at December’s London International Horse Show got the chance to watch her teach an amateur rider, and now, you’ll get the chance to see what it’s like to learn with her even if you couldn’t be there on the day. Enjoy this vlog from content creator Meg Elphick, who finished third in the BE90 championship at Badminton last season and enjoyed a great session with Pippa in London — the lucky girl!
Thursday News & Notes
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I’m really loving seeing the content coming out of the early season training sessions that the Wesko Equestrian Foundation is putting on — not least because this year, they’ve opened up opportunities for SO many more riders of a wide array of abilities, and because the extraordinary Nicola Wilson has been brought in as a boots-on-the-ground trainer. We’re nothing if not driven by our deep-rooted sense of FOMO, so expect to see lots more from the Wesko riders and sessions on EN in the coming months!
U.S. Weekend Preview:
Ocala Winter I (Ocala, FL): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Ram Tap H.T. (Fresno, CA): [Website] [Entries and Ride Times]
Jumping Branch Farm H.T. (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]
Your Thursday News & Notes:
If you’re putting money into alternative therapies for your horse, you might want to skip the light therapy. Though it’s commonly used on horses, light therapy — which includes the use of LEDs to transmit protons into the body — it’s actually not really backed up by any hard and fast science at this point. In fact, researchers have found negligible results, and often even contradictory ones. [Is light therapy really all that?]
A robot that harrows your ring? A device that automatically moderates the climate in your horse’s stable? Both of these products were among those launched at SPOGA, the world’s biggest equestrian trade fair — and they’re just the tip of the iceberg. [Horsey tech is on the way up]
I hate AI. But apparently I’m alone in that, as everyone’s been flocking to ChatGPT to find out its opinions on a wide array of topics. Here’s what it thinks about horse care, [if that’s what you’re into]
We take a lot of strange terminology for granted. Like, what actually is the word ‘snaffle’ all about, anyway?! HorseNetwork is on an etymology deep dive, and this week, they’re looking at bit names and where the heck they actually came from. [Check it out]
Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: It’s Vintage Horse Movie Time Again!
Last week, we shared a link to watch International Velvet that was SO popular that it felt like we’d launched a horse-mad movie night – an idea we’re putting a pin in for now because honestly, we kind of love the idea of setting up a projector some night at Kentucky and doing a horsey cinema experience, complete with margs and wings. Until then, though, I’m still trawling the internet for the gems of years gone by — and this week, I’m delighted to have tracked down the ’60s classic The Horse With the Flying Tail, a showjumping mainstay about the great Nautical. It’s very much a product of its time, so keep that in mind as you watch — but it’s worth checking out if only to see how much horse sport has developed.
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.
Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products
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Okay, so it might not be an eventing themed header today, but I’ve not stopped laughing at ‘happy start of covering season’ since I saw it. However you’re spending your V Day, do it with…love, I guess.
Events Opening Today: Chattahoochee Hills H.T, Morven Park Spring H.T., Jumping Branch Farm H.T., The Event at TerraNova, Galway Downs International H.T.
Events Closing Today: Sporting Days Farm March H.T. II, Rocking Horse Winter III H.T., Twin Rivers Winter H.T., Full Gallop Farm March Wednesday H.T.
Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:
In the latest myth-busting post on HN, the team looks at…squeaky sheaths. No, seriously. They’re getting to the bottom of that weird noise geldings and stallions make when they’re moving, and figuring out what actually causes it. [A bit of WD-40 will fix that]
Finding the money and time to really chase your riding goals is HARD. Especially if you’re balancing horses with a full-time job, a family, other commitments and obligations, and any kind of life balance. That’s why Heels Down are tackling the topic in a webinar on the 27th of February that’s stacked with interesting speakers and sure to be full of varied, nuanced perspectives. Taking part could well help you find your mojo again. [Find out more and join in here]
It’s Valentine’s Day, which is sweet and all – but we all know the true loves of our lives are four-legged. USEA asked its members what they love most about their horses, and the responses have warmed my icy little heart. [I choo-choo-choose you]
Sponsor Corner: Your horse’s gut is a pretty talkative area – but what’s normal, and what’s an early warning sign of something you’ll need to take action on? This helpful guide to gut sounds is a must-read for all horse owners, and could help you avoid a nasty colic.
Your Morning Muck-Out Listen: The USEA Podcast caught up with power couples Gemma and Gary Stevens and Caroline and Deniz Pamukcu for a truly silly, very fun trivia-based sit-down that’ll definitely speed up your trips to the muck heap. Listen here.
Watch This:
In her latest vlog, British 4* rider Ashley Harrison takes her top horse, Zebedee, to have some bone chips removed – an interesting watch for anyone who’s facing the same procedure with their own horse.
Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack
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We’re saddened not to begin the year with close scrutiny of the scores at Portugal’s Barocca d’Alva, which has always been the international season opener of choice for riders who want to nab early qualifications. It’s a little bit like a close-knit summer camp in February, but alas, it is no more: now, European-based horses and riders who need to secure the goods early will need to head to Italy instead for Montelibretti’s Prosecco Tour series.
National Holiday: Happy Galentine’s Day! I’ll be feeding my mare lots of carrots to celebrate.
US Weekend Action:
Full Gallop Farm February I H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Results]
Pine Top Intermediate H.T. (Thomson, GA) [Website] [Results]
Rocking Horse Winter II H.T. (Altoona, FL) [Website] [Results]
Your Monday Reading List:
There’s the potential for another change to the contentious flag rule. The Swedish eventers have been using a unique penalty system at their national events since 2020, and it was presented at the FEI Eventing Safety Forum last month as a prospective next step for international competition, too. [Could seven penalty knocks be the future?]
There was no new Budweiser commercial at this year’s Super Bowl, which is a bummer. But the Clydesdales have had many, many glory years making us all weep into our beers and wings, and over on Horse Nation, Deann has been looking back at them all. [More beer, more wings, more weeping]
Wellington is getting serious about sustainability. The Winter Equestrian Festival has teamed up with Carbon Hoofprint to create a strategy to turn manure into natural gas, a first-of-its-kind endeavour in the States. [WEF goes green]
And finally, if you board, have you actually read your contract? I’m as guilty as anyone for skimming the Ts and Cs of most things, but when it comes to your horse, you should take the time to go through all your documentation with a fine-toothed comb. [Here’s why]
The FutureTrack Follow:
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I know you all already follow Aussie Olympian Andrew Hoy – but now I need you to get behind his exceptional rising four-year-old Castle Cornet, who was our favourite horse at the Goresbridge Go For Gold sale in November. This one’s a name you’ll want to remember!
Morning Viewing:
The other day, we shared the link to watch International Velvet, which went over particularly well — and now, we’ve got some fascinating behind-the-scenes clips of how the eventing scenes were captured and the impressive riding trajectory of star Tatum O’Neill.
Thursday Video: The Healing Power of Horses, Writ Large
The use of horses as therapy animals goes back a long time, with a number of proven applications – and as far as mental health therapy uses go, we’re still discovering just how much power they wield. A great friend of mine, who runs a yard and trains competition ponies, enrolled herself in an equine facilitated therapy course and found so much comfort, and made such progress in it, that she then underwent the long process of training to be a facilitator herself – and although many might find the idea of connecting with horses on a ‘vibrational’ level a touch woo-woo, there’s an awful lot to be said for the magic that happens when we slow down, shelve our egos, and learn to simply communicate with an animal. This documentary on Equinisity, which runs spiritual therapeutic retreats, certainly lends itself well to an interesting conversational jumping off point about how much horses can actually help us.
Burghley to Bid for World Championships Hosting Role in 2026
Pippa Funnell and Majas Hope. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.
In the wake of a successful FEI World Championships of Eventing at Pratoni, Italy last year, all eyes are on which of the eligible venues worldwide could play host to the next iteration, set to take place in 2026. Very excitingly, the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials is in discussions with UK Sport about accessing funding in order to host – a job it’s done on two previous occasions.
Those occasions were back in 1966 and 1974 — and though the sport has changed considerably since then, Burghley remains at the forefront of the industry. It has also hosted six European Championships (1962, 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989 and 1997) and one Young Riders European Championship (1978).
Land Rover Burghley is globally renowned for its stunning setting in the grounds of the historic Burghley House outside Stamford, and for the outstanding level of equestrian sport it delivers at its annual autumn event — due to be held from 31 August — 3 September in 2023.
Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.
Event Director Martyn Johnson says: “Burghley is synonymous with the pinnacle of the sport of eventing. Hosting the FEI World Championships in 2026 would bring huge benefits to Burghley and the local community. It would also focus our longer-term vision for the event as we continue to invest in upgrading the permanent infrastructures for athletes and horses to improve further a world-class venue.
“As we experienced with the London 2012 Olympics, the legacy of a British World Championships would not only help our British teams win medals for years to come but also provide inspiration, opportunities and facilities for the next generation of equestrian stars through our associations with the Pony Club and grassroots riders.”
The FEI Eventing World Championships is held every four years, and since 2022, has reverted to a single discipline championship, rather than the popular World Equestrian Games format that previously required a single venue to host every discipline. The World Championships are ordinarily held in early autumn, roughly coinciding with Burghley’s first-week-of-September calendar spot, and though the venue hasn’t yet clarified what that would mean for its popular five-star in 2026 if it is successful with its bid, Britain does now have a successful ‘back-up’ five-star location in Devon’s Bicton Arena, which held the ‘pop-up’ pandemic five-star in Burghley’s stead in 2021.
The bid process for the 2026 FEI Eventing World Championships is open, and will conclude by June. Keep it locked on EN for further updates and news of competing venues!
Coming Up #OnStrider: Learn from Erik Duvander in Ocala
Boyd Martin debriefs with Erik Duvander. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
There’s nothing that wiles away the winter better than jumping on some seriously cool learning opportunities – and embroiling yourself in a clinic with Erik Duvander definitely qualifies as one of those. The former US team trainer, who remains in situ as the coach of choice for many of the country’s leading competitors, will be heading to Ocala at the end of this month for a jam-packed two-day clinic, which will incorporate showjumping and cross-country across the sessions, as well as individual long-term plans to build upon the work done in the lessons.
Spaces are limited: just sixteen riders will be able to take part, and the clinic is aimed at Prelim+ riders, though inexperienced horses are welcome. To secure your place, head over to Strider, where you can also register to audit the clinic – a super opportunity to take in a ton of great intel at a bargain price of just $30 for both days, and a great option if you’re not yet at the required level. The clinic will take place on February 27-28 at Liz Halliday-Sharp’s brand new Southern base, Horsepower Equestrian. As always, we’d be delighted to share your clinic experiences here on EN, so if you’re planning to attend as a rider or auditor and want to pitch a clinic report, pop us an email at [email protected]!
Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Honestly, Just International Velvet in its Entirety
Nothing at all could have made me happier today than discovering that some kind soul has uploaded International Velvet in its glorious, cheesy entirety to YouTube. There are few among us who didn’t grow up watching and rewatching the 1978 classic, which features an improbable eventing fairytale, a young Anthony Hopkins as the British team chef d’equipe, and Christopher Plummer as a rather yummy honorary father figure who writes erotica to fund his kiddo’s riding pursuits. It’s a truly perfect film, and one that you’ve probably been desperate for a rewatch of — so settle in, put your phone on silent, and remember what it’s like to be a pony mad prepubescent with a well-worn VHS tape and a head full of dreams.
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.
Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products
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You know it, I know it, we all know it: we’re a little bit insane, but in a nice way, and now I’m going to need you all to go to my Instagram and like some photos of my horse, okay?
Events Opening Today: Texas Rose Horse Park H.T., March Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks
Events Closing Today: Three Lakes Winter II H.T. at Caudle Ranch, Pine Top Advanced H.T., Full Gallop Farm Mid February H.T.
Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:
Young horse producers and breeders, heads up: there are some changes to the FEH program for 2023. The program will now be overseen in part by the Young Horse Show Series, who will help to develop and promote the concept and, hopefully, create an even firmer foundation for US sport horse breeding programs. [Prepare those elite babies]
The conversation rages on about safety at the upper levels. I’m delighted to see that ‘soft option’ qualification routes to five-star were a huge part of the conversation at the FEI Eventing Forum, where attendees discussed a number of factors that could help to ensure riders don’t tackle the uppermost level until they’re truly ready — not just qualified. [A step in the right direction]
Take heart if you feel like you’re having a string of frustrating rides lately. While those days can feel like you take one step forward and roughly eighteen steps back, they’re actually the periods you learn from the most. USHJA judge and coach Rob Jacobs explains why mistakes are a great thing – and why they tend to bog us down so much mentally, too. [An encouraging read]
And finally: if your gateway into living, breathing, sweet-smelling real horses was the Breyer variety, you’ll love this. You’ll also probably end up in the attic, unboxing all your own childhood memories. That’s fine. [The horses we loved first]
Sponsor Corner: There are lots of reasons why a horse might need to consume limited starch and sugar – and particularly for pony owners, a big one is the risk of laminitis. Find out more about the impact of these common components, and how to feed a balanced diet while reducing their presence, in this useful piece from Kentucky Performance Products and Horse Nation.
Watch This:
Watch and learn as Hailey Burlock gives Off the Record a good stretch:
Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack
Do I dare to hope? Is spring, perhaps, finally on its way? The sun is making just enough of an effort this week that even though we only reached 8 degrees Celsius yesterday here, I still felt happy swinging rugs off and giving my mare her first naked session of the year. I think she was delighted, too: when I brought her in, she was covered in dirt and had done such a good job of kickstarting her shedding process that I’ve been picking horse hairs out of my teeth ever since. Now, though, it really feels like we’re out of the thick of it and speeding towards glorious, wonderful spring.
National Holiday: It’s National Frozen Yogurt Day! While it might be less popular than ice cream, frozen yogurt deserves recognition as a non-dairy, semi-healthy alternative. Obviously, that cancels out the potential negative health impact of the toppings you put on it.
U.S. Weekend Action:
Galway Downs 2023 Kickoff H.T. (Temecula, CA): [Website] [Scoring]
Sporting Days Farm February H.T. (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Scoring]
Three Lakes Winter I H.T. at Caudle Ranch (Groveland, FL): [Website] [Scoring]
Your Monday Reading List:
We tend to focus so much on what the pandemic took away from us that we forget the gift it gave to some horses: time. When you start really dissecting the development of many horses, though, their riders will admit that the removal of pressure and the endless expanse of time to simply focus on education and fun has been truly transformative – and that’s not a phenomenon that’s exclusive to the upper levels. For this rescue pony, it was also a great healer. [Time turns the corner]
I’ve loved this winter’s European indoor cross-country series for one big reason. It’s been absolutely dominated by equine OAPs. Maxime Livio’s Boleybawn Prince, who won three of them back to back, is nineteen, while Karim Laghouag’s faithful team stalwart Punch de l’Esques won at Bordeaux at the weekend at twenty years old. That final victory marked his retirement from the sport in which he’s shone for so long — and what a treat it was to see him going out on such good form. [Thanks for the memories, Punch]
TikTok has a tendency to formulate ‘microtrends’ of extraordinary specificity. But we’re not too focused on ‘coastal grandma sleaze-core’ or ‘times Harry Styles split his trousers on stage’ — instead, we’re very into the hugely specific ‘mare stare’ trend that’s currently on the go. [Check out some of the frontrunners]
A trauma centre in Germany has begun collating data about riding accidents. Right now, we reckon every trauma specialist in the country is sighing into their hands at the suggestion of providing extra counselling and advice to a group of people who will happily climb back aboard while still glued into a selection of casts. [Good luck, doc!]
The FutureTrack Follow:
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Our pals over at Irish Eventing Times are a bit like us — they’re totally unconstrained by national borders, so you’ll find content on their page from events all over Europe, and featuring a wide range of riders. But their bread and butter, of course, is the scene in Ireland, and I love keeping an eye on their Insta to get to know horses, riders, and competitions I may not otherwise have encountered. My favourite posts? The high-flying ponies and kiddos who are learning the ropes at the lower international levels. VERY cool stuff.
Morning Viewing:
Here’s that final round for the exceptional 20-year-old Punch de l’Esques. Au revoir, champ!
Saturday Video: A Deep & Meaningful Chat (Mostly) Between RideIQ and EN
It feels just a touch self-congratulating to share a video I’m involved with for this evening’s viewing slot, but I’m such a fan of RideIQ‘s Ask the Experts and Office Hours series that I can’t help but feel quite pleased that I got the chance to take part. In our long and wine-fuelled (on my part, solely) chat, me and Amanda Chance – who’s also a regular contributor here at EN! – discussed all sorts of aspects of the equestrian journalism world, from the tough bits to the fun bits, via the tequila-fuelled bits. I hope it offers some insights into the job for those of you who may be aiming to join us mad media lot some day, and provides a bit of entertainment for the rest of you!
Unfortunately, embedding the video here isn’t possible – but if you’d like to tune in for the conversation, click here to be redirected to RideIQ’s YouTube channel.
Thursday Video: The Jimmy Wofford Philosophy, In His Own Words
Earlier this afternoon, I received a text that left me reeling: it was the great Irish horseman William Micklem, who shared with me the incredibly sad news that Jimmy Wofford had died. I was never lucky enough to know Jimmy personally myself, but he certainly made an enormous impression on me: his firm belief that riding could be learned in an academic way gave me so much hope, as a kid with access to books but seldom to horses, and never to good training, that everything I dreamed of could still happen for me. I learned an enormous amount from his books, and his columns, and dreamed of one day, perhaps, getting the chance to ride with him myself. I can only imagine how those who knew and loved him must be feeling right now — but how lucky are we all to have his words of wisdom to continue taking comfort from and learning from?
It’s only right that this evening’s video should be an interview with the great man himself. Here’s the philosophy and educational foundation of one of eventing’s finest, in his own words, and packed full of wit and wisdom as always. Rest in peace and knowledge, Jimmy.
The Horse-Craziest of Them All: Goodbye to Eventing Pioneer Jimmy Wofford
Jim Wofford and Chinch share a moment. Photo via EN’s Instagram.
We’re deeply saddened to share the news that Jimmy Wofford, five-star winner, Olympian, leading equestrian intellect, and consummate horseman, has died at the age of 78 following a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. His extraordinary, forward-thinking and wide-reaching vision for the sport of eventing has helped to shape it in innumerable ways over the last number of decades, and his passing leaves an enormous void in our industry.
Jim Wofford as a 14-year-old Lance Corporal at the 1959 Round Barn Horse Show in Barrington, Illinois, doing a pretty good imitation of the U.S. Cavalry seat. Photo courtesy of Culver Academies.
The youngest son of an Olympic show jumper and U.S. cavalryman, Jimmy was, perhaps, predestined to be a horseman himself. Certainly, it was a deep-rooted love that coursed through the family, almost all of whom were involved with riding or breeding horses to the uppermost levels. It was Jimmy’s father, Colonel John Wofford, who was one the founding fathers of the U.S. Equestrian Team in its modern iteration, taking equestrian sport from a purely military activity to a civilian one and heralding a new age for the industry. Jimmy’s mother, for her part, was a crucial figure in the founding of the United States Eventing Association (USEA), then the United States Combined Training Association (USCTA), and Jimmy would grow up to be one of its greatest stars.
But before all that, there was a childhood in which horses, dogs, and books became the cornerstones of a vivid world — and one often inhabited by Jimmy alone. His siblings, all much older than him, left when he was young; his father, after achieving so much, succumbed to cancer when his youngest son was just ten; his mother, deeply impacted by the loss, receded into her grief. Jimmy would learn early on to take comfort in the relationships he created with animals, and to find solace in the world of words, both of which would become hugely important parts of his career. At 13, he left home to attend military school, where he spent his free time reading riding handbooks from cover to cover; after that, he pursued further education at the University of Colorado. Soon after, he was named to the U.S. Equestrian Team for the first time, and would remain a part of it — whether as a rider, a coach, or a formative part of the sport itself — for the rest of his life.
Jim Wofford and Kilkenny on their way to clinching team silver and individual sixth place at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico. Photo copyright Werner Ernst.
Though the early years as part of the USET training squad were hardly crowned with glory, they allowed Jimmy to receive the formal equestrian education he’d previously only read about, while competing a variety of not-quite-suitable mounts. And then Kilkenny came along.
Kilkenny had already made a name for himself as part of the Irish Olympic team, and he was something of a bargain basement purchase due to his iffy x-rays, but he and Jimmy quickly gelled. Together, they earned a national championship title in 1967, a gold at the Pan-American Games the same year, and team silver in Jimmy’s Olympic debut in 1968 in Mexico City. They repeated the feat in 1972, and picked up an individual bronze medal at the World Championships in 1970, too — though in many ways, all of those early team experiences were educational ones rather than the pinnacle of Jimmy’s achievements.
James Wofford on Carawich, 1978. Photo courtesy of Gamecock Photo.
Kilkenny’s career as an upper-level event horse wound down to a close shortly thereafter, but Jimmy wouldn’t be off the Olympic radar for long: in 1977, he joined forces with the great Carawich, who he rode at the famously tough 1978 World Championships at Lexington, helping the U.S. team to bronze. In 1980, the pair were named for the Olympics following a spectacular fifth-place finish at Badminton in 1979, but the US’s boycott of those Moscow Games meant that they rerouted to the ‘alternate Games’ instead at Fontainebleau, France, where they won individual silver, finishing second to Denmark’s Nils Haagensen. In 1981, they won the Kentucky Three-Day Event, closing the book on Carawich’s exceptional career.
Jim Wofford competing with The Optimist at Kentucky in 1986.
The retirement of Carawich, who had sustained an injury at Luhmühlen months after his Kentucky win, looked set to be the close of Jimmy’s own competitive career, too — but although he made every effort to step away from the sport and into ‘normality’, working as an insurance salesman and enjoying time spent just being a dad, when he was offered a catch ride on Karen O’Connor’s (then Lende’s) The Optimist for the 1986 Kentucky Three-Day Event, he couldn’t pass up the chance. The decision was a wise one: the pair won in fine style, despite their short partnership.
Later that decade, Jimmy would put his extraordinary experience and intellect to work at an even higher level: in 1988, after serving as Vice President for the American Horse Show Association, he became its President — a role he would hold until 1991. He also served on boards across the sport, including the USCTA and USET, did two years as part of the FEI’s eventing committee and was part of the US Olympic Committee as its first-ever equestrian representative. His influence went further than just the US, too: he was the chef d’equipe for the Canadian eventing team from 2001 to 2004, and has been a mentor and coach to many of the biggest names in eventing throughout his life, including David O’Connor, Bea and Derek diGrazia, and Wash Bishop.
“At least one rider on every U.S. Olympic, World Championship, and Pan American team since 1978 has been a graduate of Jim’s program,” reads his Hall of Fame biography, and when you begin to break down those lists, it’s truly remarkable: his students included Kim Severson and John Williams, who won team bronze — and Kim won individual silver — at Athens in 2004; in 2000, at the Sydney Olympics, every single member of the bronze medal winning team, including individual gold medallist David O’Connor, had trained with him.
Even those who couldn’t ride and train with him in person were able to benefit from his academic, theoretical view of the sport – and that was an enormous encouragement to riders who, like Jimmy, didn’t grow up surrounded by trainers in the confines of a school. His belief that talent could be learn through reading and applying that knowledge was a breath of fresh air, and there are few eventing enthusiasts in the U.S. — or beyond — who won’t have picked up a copy of his venerated book, Training the Three-Day Event Horse and Rider. He was also a popular columnist for The Chronicle of the Horse and was inducted into the USEA Hall of Fame in 2010.
Jimmy is survived by his wife, Gail, daughters Jennifer and Hillary, grandsons James, Hudson, Lewis, and Theodore, and countless supporters, students, friends and colleagues across the breadth and depth of the equestrian industry, all of whom will be feeling keenly the absence of one of eventing’s true greats. Our thoughts are with you all.
Enjoy an EN Exclusive Discount for Horse&Country TV – Plus Member Rewards!
Laura Collett and London 52 take the win at the 2020 edition of Les 5 Etoiles de Pau – one of the great events streaming on H&C+. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Always fancied getting your hands on a subscription to Horse&Country TV, but conscious of wanting to save money? We’ve teamed up with the streaming giant, whose service provides live coverage of competitions around the world, training masterclasses, documentaries, reality TV shows, and much more, to give you an EN exclusive deal throughout the month of February. To get 15% off an annual subscription, head to this link and use the code ENMR15 at checkout.
Photo courtesy of Dapplebay.
Becoming a member of H&C+ doesn’t just give you access to all the horsey programming you could need — it also means you can enjoy special discounts across a number of brands. This month, the member rewards include 15% off Strider’s Digital Waiver service (a seriously useful tool to protect yourself legally in a number of situations!), and two great competitions. You could win an Equestrian Lifestyle Box from Cavali Club, or an oversized, highly covetable tote bag from EN – perfect for getting all your bits and bobs to the collecting ring, for schlepping a week’s worth of groceries home from the shops, or for carrying up to a small, juvenile Labrador, we reckon. Head to the Member Rewards page to get involved and reap the rewards!
Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Mental Health Matters
I often find myself gravitating towards a bit of nostalgia for the Wednesday evening video slot, or to something silly and comedic — but today, I couldn’t help but highlight the British-based charity Riders Minds, and the important work they’re doing for mental health awareness and action for equestrians. The charity is the legacy of top rider Matthew Wright, who sadly took his own life in 2021, and is spearheaded by his widow, Victoria, along with a super team of industry pros who all understand the struggles that us horsey folks can find ourselves up against. Get to know what they do, and why, in this documentary film — and then check out their website here, as well as the free resources available if you need some extra support.
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Have you grabbed your winter running horse stickers? Check them out at KPPusa.com/winter23.
Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products
Here in the UK, I’m basically living in a mud tornado of sadness right now, so I’m not sure whether sunny training clips from Florida make me feel bitter jealousy or give me a much-needed dose of escapism, but I’m aiming for the latter and trying to learn a thing or two from the clips in the process, too. Ahh, who am I kidding — Andrew McConnon, you can cash me ousside, how ’bout dat?
Events Opening Today: Ram Tap National H.T., Pine Top Spring H.T., Ocala Winter II, Carolina International CCI & H.T.
Events Closing Today: Jumping Branch Farm H.T., Ram Tap H.T., Ocala Winter I
Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:
Horse lovers in Britain have long been fighting for safer roads — and figures show why. Despite amendments to the Highway Code, intended to increase safety for vulnerable road users, a striking number of riders and horses were injured last year while hacking on the roads – and already, two horses have been killed in road accidents in 2023. [Crunching the numbers — and what can be done]
Maybe you’re lucky enough to be somewhere where cross-country schooling is already viable – or maybe you’re just preparing for that glorious day. Either way, there’s no time like the present to solidify your position for this pivotal phase, and to understand the mechanics of your body and how it can work to help you balance and cue your horse while jumping solid fences over variable terrain. There are few people more equipped to teach you all this than Karen O’Connor, who’s done a video lesson for USEA to help us all get ready to excel. [Sharpen up that position]
Your horse’s posture at the time of imaging could have a huge impact on a kissing spines diagnosis. It sounds kind of obvious now that I type it out, but it’s actually the discovery of a recent study, which examined horses’ backs while engaged and disengaged. [If you’re into x-rays and vet chat, this one’s for you]
You might’ve heard of ‘quiet quitting’, the ‘new phenomenon’ that’s hitting corporate America. Of course, if you own and run a barn, you may well be achingly familiar with it as a concept already. [This one’s satire, folks]
Best of Horse Nation: In this week’s Mythbuster post, HN examines whether horses can actually learn stereotyped behaviour, such as cribbing, from one another. [Nature v nurture]
Sponsor Corner: Are carbs the enemy when it comes to feeding your horse? No – but they can only be digested in limited quantities, so it’s crucial that you learn exactly how to feed them to reap the maximum reward. KPP has the info you need.
Watch This:
Back to England, and back to 4* rider Ashley Harrison, whose vlog this week shows what a day in her busy life is actually like:
Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack
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Ever wondered if there was an easier way to ice your horse’s legs than boots, which warm up quickly, or those tricky rubber wellingtons? Course there is — just train your horse to get in an ice bath! YMMV.
National Holiday: It’s National Croissant Day. Consider doing a coffee shop run for your barn’s staff this morning – they’ll always appreciate some caffeine and a pastry!
U.S. Weekend Action:
Full Gallop Farm January H.T. (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Results]
Rocking Horse Winter I H.T. (Altoona, FL): [Website] [Results]
Your Monday Reading List:
Here’s something interesting to consider: is it actually a little bit insensitive to get a Jockey Club tattoo? I’m a tatted rider myself, and although I don’t have an OTTB at the moment, I used to — and when I was a teenager, I definitely wanted to get his number inked on me as a tribute to a horse who meant the world to me. I’m glad, in hindsight, that I didn’t, because as this thoughtful piece points out, the history of numerical tattoos is considerably darker than us well-intentioned pony-mad folks and our four-legged fur-babies. [Skip the numbers]
Contact is one of the wiliest concepts in the horse world. What does it actually feel like when it’s good? How do we know if we’ve got too much — or too little? What’s the ratio between leg and hand actually supposed to feel like? [Here are some answers for ya]
From working part-time at Applebees to fund her eventing to running two thriving businesses, Liz Lund has figured a few things out. Check out her story, and bottle a little bit of her relentless positivity to take into your week. [You go, Liz Lund]
We’re a month into 2023, and that means that riders with spring five-stars on their calendars are gearing up, big time. For some, that doesn’t just mean scheduling in some more dressage lessons or beginning to ramp up the fast work – it means focusing hard on fundraising, too. For California’s Lauren LoPiccolo, that’s at the forefront of her mind as she aims for Kentucky with her horse, Diego. Fortunately, this hard-working trainer and mom has plenty of great ideas to raise the funds. [Check out what she’s up to]
The FutureTrack Follow:
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Want to make 2023 the year you become the best horseperson you can be? I love this account for its horse-first training tips and insights that remind me to discard any shred of ego and listen to what the horses in my life are telling me – even when they’re telling me uncomfortable truths.
Morning Viewing:
Bid farewell to Caroline Powell’s extraordinary Burghley winner and Olympic mount Lenamore, who died yesterday at the age of 31, with this compilation of clips.
Saturday Video: Testing Equestrian Life Hacks – So You Don’t Have To!
There’s nothing I love better than a life hack, especially if it saves me money – but with so many voices on the internet touting all sorts of mad solutions to problems I didn’t even realise I had, it can be hard to work out what’s actually worth doing, and what might just cause you a bigger headache in the long run. And so I thank the horsey heavens for YouTuber Equine Helper, who did the grunt work of watching hours and hours of vlogs, pulling out the tips and tricks, and then putting them all to the test to see what’s actually worth your time. I’ve definitely found a few that I’ll be trying out ASAP (including that olive oil one, because I’ve thrown caution to the wind and put my saddle on the floor just for a second one too many times), and in exchange for her hard work, I’ll give you a few bonuses: sack off the sock idea and get a double-ended oven glove to house your stirrups and repurpose leg cooling clay into a purifying face mask if that barn dirt is giving you spots. You’re welcome.
Friday Video: The Curious History of Team GB Head Honcho Dickie Waygood
You probably know the two chaps in charge of the British eventing team — Dickie Waygood and Chris Bartle — as a pair of slightly mythical figures, able to swoop in and turn the very good into world-beatingly great. Under their care, the Brits have become the most dominant force in the sport, holding Olympic, World, and European medals consecutively until Pratoni this year (and can we just take a moment to remember when they won the Europeans as a team AND took all three individual podium places?!). But behind the medals are fascinating men — and this long-form interview with Dickie proves just that. Previously a member of the Household Cavalry, and then a top-level event rider who piloted a horse for the Queen, he gained a huge wealth of fascinating experience in all aspects of the horse world before becoming the chef d’equipe that turned the fate of the British dressage team around. Now, as half of eventing’s golden duo, he’s one man you need to know.
Olympics in the Time of Inflation: No Test Event for Paris – and the Horse Inspection’s Off-Limits, Too
Ground preparations are underway at Versailles. Photo courtesy of the FEI/Paris 2024.
The eventing competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics will not be put through a full trial run, as was revealed at last week’s FEI Eventing Forum.
Previous iterations of the Olympics have seen a full test event – generally staged a level below the Olympics themselves, which is held at a modified four-star level — take place a year or so prior to the Games, allowing officials to fine-tune any potential issues with the field of play and backstage logistics. Test events also allow national governing bodies to get a sense of the venue, which can impact selection and preparation decisions over the following year, while in many cases, the buzz and excitement of an Olympic test event also draws in enthusiastic spectators, plenty of whom come without any prior familiarity with the sport.
Next year’s Olympics organisers, though, have cited cost-cutting measures as the reason behind their decision not to host a tradition test event. In many ways, it comes as little surprise: the equestrian disciplines are due to be held in the grounds of the Chateau de Versailles, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of France’s most significant tourist attractions, and while we can only speculate about the costs involved with both building the temporary arenas and closing down part of the site to visitors for the duration of the test event, they’d likely be significant.
Instead, GL Events Equestrian Sport, who were appointed as the organisers for the equestrian disciplines at last month’s FEI General Assembly, will host a cross-country test event at Versailles, which will be open to national federations and national Olympic committees. That will offer them a chance to ensure the footing, and the planned pontoon crossings, work as intended, as well as the proposed layout of warm-up and cool-down areas. The arena-based phases, however, will be held in the spring of 2024 at established competition venue Fontainebleau, which will be outfitted with the same footing earmarked for Versailles, and will be used to ensure the officials are au fait with their tasks during the Games themselves.
It was also announced at the FEI Eventing Forum that the first horse inspection will not be open to the public as it ordinarily is. For more of the latest from Paris, check out our summary of last month’s General Assembly, complete with proposed course maps.
EN’s pre-coverage of the Paris Olympics in 2024 is brought to you with support from Zoetis — Long Live the Horse.
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