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.
EN TRENDS:
Articles Written 1,930
Article Views
4,902,527
Achievements
Become an Eventing Nation BloggerLatest Articles Written
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!
Friday Video: Can’t Wait for Carolina? We’ve Got You
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!
Friday News & Notes Presented by Stable View
View this post on Instagram
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
View this post on Instagram
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
View this post on Instagram
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
View this post on Instagram
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:
View this post on Instagram
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
View this post on Instagram
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:
Stable View
Success Equestrian
FutureTrack
Sport Horse Nation
mileseventing
Fun and uncomplicated eventer
mileseventing
Fun and uncomplicated eventer
Juli Hutchings-Sebring
YEH 5 yr old – 5* Potential – Purebred Connemara
