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Horse Sport Ireland Confirms High Performance Eventing Managers for Paris Campaign

Dag Albert and Sue Shortt. Photo courtesy of HSI.

It’s been an admittedly tumultuous period for the Irish eventing team, at least as far as leadership is concerned: after the temporary suspension of team manager Sally Corscadden, who was cleared after an investigation into training practices concluded in July, the team has been operating under the interim management of Swedish Olympian Dag Albert. While the outcome of the case against Corscadden went public in September and HSI, at the time, said that it had not yet confirmed whether or not she would return to her role, in early November, it was announced that Corscadden and HSI would be parting ways, ostensibly amicably, with each thanking one another for a fruitful period spent together — one which saw Corscadden lead the team to team and individual silver medals at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon.

Now, though, with the Paris Olympics inching ever closer, the Irish can sleep a little easier knowing that they’ve once again got a permanent team in place to steer their ship at the Games. Dag Albert has been confirmed as Corscadden’s official successor, taking on the title of High Performance Director for Senior Eventing, while double Irish Olympian manager Sue Shortt will step into the role of Junior Manager, alongside managing Ireland’s Junior and Young Rider eventing teams.

“I am delighted to lead the HSI High Performance Eventing Team to Paris next summer,” says Albert, who stepped into the role in an acting basis in 2022. “Having lead the team to qualification in Pratoni, Italy at the 2022 World Equestrian Games, it is a great honour now to build on that success, and lead the team to the 2024 Olympic Games.”

HSI Chief Executive, Denis Duggan, says: “We are delighted to have secured Dag’s services as High Performance Director for Senior Eventing in what is a very exciting period for Irish eventing. Equally, we are pleased that our existing Young Rider Manager, Sue Shortt will assume additional responsibilities for the Junior Programme while Dag focusses on the Olympic programme over the months ahead.”

“Dag has done a fantastic job at underage level and in the role as Acting Director over the last 20+ months and he has the utmost trust of the organisation and the athletes as we build towards Paris. He has outlined his plans and hopes for the team and has had really productive conversations with our Acting Head of High Performance Sport, Bernard Jackman – we’re really excited for the future and delighted to have him leading the programme, with support from Sue in the Junior and Young Riders programme along with Jane Kinsella who continues as the Eventing Pony manager.”

All High Performance contracts will run until October 2024, after which a review will take place following the closing of the Olympic cycle — but Ireland, which claimed its first five-star win in over fifty years when Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue took Maryland in October, can head into the pivotal season to come with a real hope for an uptick in Olympic fortune.

 

Friday News & Notes Presented by Stable View


 

Some of my very favourite events are those that really create a family of the wider team around them — and one of the ways they do that is by treating their volunteers as the essential workers they are and showing their appreciation accordingly. I love that Stable View in Aiken makes sure that their volunteers get a celebration to acknowledge all they do — and boy, are some of those goodies and prizes appealing! If I lived on that side of the pond, doing some volunteer hours there in 2024 would definitely be on my priority list.

News from Around the Globe:

It’s a good day to be a Canadian Mounted Police Horse. When the RCMP put out a call to action to find retirement homes for its Musical Ride mounts, they didn’t quite expect the deluge of interest they’d receive — over a thousand applications in 24 hours, as it happens!

We’ve said some sad farewells to some great horses this year. From Olympic gold medalists to rising star stallions, the logbook of losses covers a wide gamut of talent — and Horse&Hound is looking back at six of them in this piece.

Few things thrill me quite like an unlikely mount succeeding at the upper levels. Or, to put it simply: PONIES. In DRESSAGE. So naturally, all I needed to do was read the first paragraph of this COTH piece to know that I was truly, irreversibly in love with The Hot Topic of SpringSong, who has definitely made himself the hot topic of the sand school. Join me in the fangirl clique.

Hot on Horse Nation: Speaking of dressage, and speaking of things that thrill me — an op-ed, this one on the prolific output of classical dressage armchair quarterbacks on the internet, and why many of their suggestions might be… well, not necessarily rooted in the modern reality of the sport. Give it a read and join in the conversation with your thoughts.

 

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

Okay, okay, I know I’ve given you two days in a row of London International Horse Show chat now — but for us UK-based horsey folk, the show is the one true herald of the holiday season. Now that it’s wrapped, as of yesterday evening, I feel like we’re zooming at full speed into Christmas, with all its joys and stresses. It’s only the 19th and I’ve effectively been tied to the oven for two days straight, so my top priority today is buying my horse a Christmas present and getting some quality barn time in — make sure you find a moment to do the same (the barn, not necessarily the present) in all the madness. You deserve a fighting chance at keeping your sanity over the next week. If you can’t actually get out of the house? Take some time to watch 68-year-old John Whitaker jumping nearly two metres to win the Six Bar competition. What. A. Legend.

Events Opening Today: Sporting Days Farm February Trials H.T. IIThree Lakes Winter I H.T. at Caudle Ranch

Events Closing Today: Sporting Days Farm January Horse Trials I

Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:

Grubby eventing types (it’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me) in both Ireland and the UK have something to celebrate this week. Both countries’ governing bodies of eventing have confirmed that dark breeches will be allowed in all three phases of competition next year, which means no more hoof polish marks and, way, way more blissfully, considerably less fear about wearing white breeches while on your period. Hallelujah.

If you teach kiddo lessons, my heart goes out to you at this time of year. It’s cold, it’s wet, and those adorable little stinkers have lost their damn minds with excitement over the festivities. After Sarah Susa of Black Dog Stables realised that her charges weren’t even capable of remembering to put girths on their saddles as holiday season approached, she rejigged how she framed her lesson programme between Thanksgiving and Christmas — and tbh, I’m desperate to be one of her barn rats now.

PPEs — totally essential, right? Well, maybe — but for one writer and horse owner, they’ve become a thing of the past. I’m still all for a comprehensive vetting myself, but with a crucial caveat: I’m not looking for perfection, but I do want to be able to manage the horse I buy within the requirements of the role I’m buying it for, illness, injury, or unforeseen circumstances notwithstanding. Check out the argument against them here.

I think that for all of us, 2023 has been one heck of a year: whether because of extraordinary highs or crushing lows or, as seems to be the norm among most of my social circle, a weird and exhausting mix of the two. The start of this year’s season feels like it was both five minutes and five years ago, and so today, I’m sticking on the latest episode of the US Eventing podcast to recap what actually went down while I’m frantically attempting to get through the Christmas baking. Maybe it’ll soothe me — but really, when has eventing ever?

Sponsor Corner: Does your horse have EPM? Or do they have another disease that just masks as EPM? Getting a definitive diagnosis for this life-changing disease can be harder than it looks. Read more from Kentucky Performance Products.

Watch This: 

Live vicariously through a lesson with the legend that is Lucinda Green as she teaches 4* rider Ashley Harrison:

 

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

 

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Just in case you’ve ever fancied seeing Tom McEwen with tatas, the London International Horse Show is here to sort you out. Last night saw the return of the fancy dress relay, which featured stars including Gemma Stevens, Laura Collett, Austin O’Connor, our Tommy boy, plus a whole load of show jumpers, all gathered to tackle a highly competitive jumping class in the most ridiculous outfits possible. Find out how it went down here, and please do join us in petitioning Land Rover Kentucky to add a similar class next year.

National Holiday: It’s International Migrants Day, which began two decades ago as a way to raise awareness of, and solidarity with, the extraordinary number of displaced people forced to leave their homelands due to persecution, war, famine, or poverty. This year’s theme is ‘Act Today’, and the UN has some bold, bright ideas on how embracing mobilisation can actually help us in the ongoing battle against climate change. Read more about it here. (And an honourable mention to tomorrow’s national holiday, National Emo Day. That’s every day for me, frankly.)

Notable Global Weekend Action:

London International Horse Show: (Wednesday December 13th – Monday December 18th) [Website] [Tickets] [Program] [Scoring]
How to Watch: [UK] [FEI Classes: FEI TV (via ClipMyHorse.TV)] [Non-FEI Classes: H&C+]

Your Monday Reading List:

Have you ever utilised visualisation to help improve your rides? It’s a big part of my own riding; the last thing I do before I mount up to head to the cross-country warm-up is visualise riding the whole course perfectly, without any misses, and it really does put me in the right headspace to go out there and find forward, positive distances into fences. But it can be used for so much more than that, too – right down to nailing your transitions.

There’s no one who can maximise the power of a set of cavaletti quite like Ingrid Klimke. Heck, the woman’s so keen on the benefits of raised poles that she even sells her own branded set! Now that I’m deep in equine rehab life, I’m definitely taking all her tips to heart, though, because pole work and cavaletti work is incredible for building strength and has a serious list of knock-on benefits, whatever your discipline or competitive aims or if, like me, you just want to bring your horse back from time off in a sensible, sustainable way. Check out this debrief from her recent California clinic to get some inspiration for your own schooling sessions this week.

How far would you go for your horses? Would you, for example, lie to your husband to the point of divorce? Take a wild ride through one woman’s questionable decision making and then, like me, show the story to your partner so they think you’re really sane and sensible and a great partner.

Looking for an exciting new role in 2024? Want to learn more than you ever thought possible and take your riding to the next level with your horse? Good news: Mr Stickability himself, Andrew Nicholson, is looking for a working pupil. Find out more about the opening here.

Morning Viewing:

There is nothing – NOTHING – that thrills me more than watching non-horsey men attempt to ride horses. Dressage ride Anna Buffini has really given us the goods here.

 

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Thursday Video: Go Eventing with Renkum Corsair

There’s few things I’m missing more right now than a day out eventing, whether that’s on reporting duties or with my sweet, recalcitrant mare Bella Boo Boo Bopsy Pops (to use her full and official name). While I’m stuck in rainy, dreary England, there’s little chance of any of that sort of action before March — so I’m living vicariously through Elisa Wallace instead. Join her — and me, indirectly — for a spin around the Open Intermediate at Rocking Horse with Renkum Corsair.

Don’t Miss the Deadline for Courtney Cooper’s Amateur Scholarship

Courtney Cooper and Excel Star First Class. Photo by Shelby Allen.

It’s long been a topic of conversation. Amateur riders – the many cultural definitions of that term – have long been identified as the most overlooked subset of equestrians. This is a dilemma that transcends discipline, and within the sport of eventing there remains a yawning gap between the developing rider pipeline and the professional ranks and the amateur rider.

To be fair, options for the adult amateur community do exist. The USEA also has an Adult Rider Committee dedicated to ensuring amateur riders, who make up the bulk of membership, have a voice and a seat at the table. The USEA also offers some grant opportunities for which amateurs are eligible, including the newly-formed Kim Meier “Kick On” Memorial Grant.

In the opinion of many, however, there can never be enough opportunity for everyone – and Courtney Cooper of C Square Farm and Excel Star Sport Horses agrees. Last week, Courtney sent out an exciting press release: she’s decided to offer two amateur riders the opportunity to come and train with her for 7 days throughout the upcoming year. To make the award as amateur-friendly as possible, Courtney’s offering the option to split the training up into multiple weekends or other agreeable chunks of time.

“The time can be spread into multiple long weekends, or taken all at once,” Courtney wrote in the release. This will provide an opportunity for learning and mentorship with a five-star rider. The riders will have access to all Courtney’s program and facilities have to offer, including full courses of Jump4Joy jumps, top-of-the line footing, cross country schooling, dressage training, and horse management.

Courtney knows the grind of the amateur. Sales has always been Courtney’s jam – she first started out selling Cutco knives during college, following that up with a full-time career as an insurance agent.

Courtney Cooper and Who’s A Star. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

“I know what trying to balance everything is like, because I’ve done it. I’ve done trot and gallop sets on the shoulder of the road, in the dark, with a head lamp,” she says. “I had a full time career before I did horses full time, and I can’t imagine being a mom or dad and trying to do that as well as a full time career and ride and the balance needed for all of it. A couple of my amateurs get up at 5 am to ride their horses before they go to their day jobs so they can be with their kids after work for their children’s activities. I just felt like amateurs needed a break and some support.”

Amateurs are a vital part of the sport, and supporting them should be second nature to the professionals. “They keep the sport somewhat affordable in this country. Without them, there are a lot of FEI classes that wouldn’t run because they don’t have the lower levels to protect and finance the upper levels. The amateurs may not be filling the entries of the upper FEI level classes, but they support all the upper levels with their entries and therefore support the upper level riders — not to mention they do the bulk of volunteering .”

So what’s the skinny on this opportunity?

Courtney will provide lodging for the recipients and board for one horse for a total of 7 days, taken a week at a time or over multiple shorter periods. The scholarship can take place either in Aiken, SC or Nottingham, PA The recipients will receive daily lessons from Courtney on their own horse(s), with a potential to ride some other horses if appropriate. Recipients may also compete during their time and get support at the competition

More details below.

Who’s Eligible:

Anyone who makes the majority of their living through means other than horses. We will not hold to the strict definition of an Amateur held by the USEA/USEF, so if you teach some lessons but have another career, please apply! You should be actively competing in the last 12 months at the BN level or higher.

How to Apply:

Please fill out an application at this link.

Applications should be submitted by December 15, 2023. Courtney and a panel of her Amateur clients will review applications and choose a winner by December 31, 2023.

What’s Not Included:

  • Transportation to and from C Square Farm
  • Outside facility fees
  • Entries to events

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

I can already feel myself inching towards that post-holiday period of absolutely ZERO motivation, which is why I, to steal a phrase from my colleague Abby’s mouth, am high-key excited about this new course offering from our pals at Equestly. A chance to improve my existing skills and add new ones will maximizing the warmth of being indoors? Sign. Me. Up. This might actually encourage me to make the most of dreary January — especially because they’re beginning with a course on self-care rituals for exhausted horse girls. I know we all fit that bill.

Events Opening Today: Full Gallop Farm January H.TRocking Horse Winter I H.T.

News & Notes from Around the World:

There are plenty of ways to learn and improve as a rider. One of those, that’s still pretty new to all of us, is the utilisation of wearable tech — and a group of trainers at a college in Scotland have been leaning into the potential of this addition to their teaching programmes. Here’s an insight into what they’re using — and how you could implement it into your own training, too.

Researchers reckon they’ve found the oldest saddle ever yet discovered. The Mongolian saddle was found in a tomb (no confirmation either way whether they released a curse and/or the spirit of a Mongolian warlord in the process, but watch this space) and dates back to the 5th century. Now, everyone’s nerding out in a big way over the construction of the saddle and stirrup rig.

A whole bunch of great people were recognised at the USEA Convention last week. Here’s a handy rundown of who they all are, what they’ve contributed to the sport, and how USEA’s doing, generally speaking.

Grooms are the essential workers without whom eventing couldn’t function. We’ve partnered with Achieve Equine this year to spotlight the incredible efforts of supergrooms across the industry — and now, we want to know who you think is the greatest of them all. Drop your nominations here by December 27 and your favorite groom could win a tonne of great prizes plus bragging rights that’ll sustain them through the off-season.

 

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Sponsor Corner: Are you team round bale or small bale? Kentucky Performance Products is debating the pros and cons of round bales in their latest blog. Decide for yourself at this link.

Watch This:

More from Geneva today — and this time, it’s combined driving, the most indecipherable and bonkers sport going.

 

 

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

We all hope we’ll never need to rely on entities such as the British Eventing Support Trust, but that’s the thing about eventing: no matter how much you plan ahead, don the highest-rated safety kit, and invest in lessons to keep you secure in the saddle, shit happens — as it did to Britain’s under-25 champ and 5* competitor Bubby Upton, who’s recently got back in the saddle after major spinal surgery and rehab. She was helped throughout by the BEST, and we reckon a donation in someone’s name might make quite a nice functional Christmas pressie this season, if that sort of thing is what you’re into. Find out more about their work here.

National Holiday: It’s International Mountain Day. It’s okay if the closest you’ll be getting to a mountain is pushing your wheelbarrow up the frozen muck heap ramp. Solidarity, my friend.

US Weekend Action:

USEA Annual Meeting and Convention (St. Louis, MO): [Information Hub] [Schedule] [Fast Facts]

Full Gallop Farm Jingle Bells H.T (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Results]

Your Monday Reading List:

At this time of year, I get much more into things like jump-off lines. And so what a treat it was to follow the Rolex Grand Prix at Geneva in Switzerland, where Richard Vogel and United Touch S gave a masterclass in turns and tight lines to ace the jump off by 2.5 seconds. Scroll down to check out the video, and click here to find out more about how they did it. Interesting, if not necessarily relevant, is this stallion’s breeding: he’s got the same grandmother on both sides, and while this level of inbreeding has obviously worked for him, I sort of hope they don’t plan to breed him. Or at least, I hope they avoid any cousins.

I began reading this story about Bob Giles because of proximity: he grew up in the foster care system in tiny, rural Lubec, Maine, just two towns over from the poverty-riddled area I lived in from the age of 12 to 19, too. But I found so much more in it than just a fellow horse-lover who managed to rise above that rough, tough place. Bob’s a man who’s built to survive, and with a smile on his face — and his incredible story also saw him push through a botched spinal surgery and subsequent paralysis to get himself back to his beloved horses. Imbibe a bit of inspiration to start your day right.

Strangles is something that every horse owner fears. But what happens when your barn is actually hit by it? Ontario’s Tessa Laughton, who runs a busy show, sales, and livery barn, first discovered signs of the disease on September 5, and has since been on lockdown with her team, aggressively tackling the outbreak. She shares the story of how they did it here.

Need a morning muck-out listen? Get to know Maddie Temkin, who’s part of the 2024 Emerging Athletes program, in this episode of the Major League Eventing podcast.

Morning Viewing: 

Check out Richard Vogel’s incredible jump-off round at Geneva with United Touch S.

“A Difficult Decision”: Great Meadow International To Sit Out 2024

Lillian Heard Wood and Dassett Olympus. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.

We’re sad to share the news that David O’Connor and Darrin Mollett, co-organizers of Great Meadow International, have announced that the August FEI fixture in The Plains, Virginia will not run in 2024 due to issues with the extant late-summer date and ground conditions.

“As GMI organisers for the past eight years, we have made the difficult decision not to run the August event at the Great Meadow Foundation in 2024,” said O’Connor and Mollett in a statement released on social media today (December 9). “The last two years have been a struggle with the date in late August. Although we originally were able to control the footing on our tracks, recent events have made that impossible. Although we attempted to move our date, this date change was not granted for 2024. We have also attempted to work with the landowner on improvements to the facility to allow irrigation of the course, but those will not be possible for 2024.”

This year’s Great Meadow International was plagued by withdrawals due to hard ground conditions: just seven of the 22 entrants in the CCI4*-S feature class opted to go cross-country, while 31 of 50 in the CCI3*-S left the startbox – and this was a major driving force behind GMI’s team’s commitment to change at the venue, whether through ground management or a shift in the calendar.

“In fairness to our competitors, our sponsors, our all-volunteer organizing committee, our dedicated volunteers, our local community, and all stake holders in this sport, we wanted to let you know as soon as we did that we will not run at Great Meadow in 2024.”

It’s not all bad news, though, for the GMI team, who ordinarily host classes from Preliminary through to CCI4*-S in August, and have previously been the US host of the FEI Nations Cup, too: they’ve been granted a CCI1*, to run August 24–25, 2024.

“We are working on alternative venues for this date and hope to have an announcement soon,” continued the statement. “In the meantime, we would like to thank everyone for their commitment to this event.”

We hope to see GMI return to the calendar in 2025, and will be bringing you more information and updates as they happen.

 

 

 

The Pathway To Paris: Who’s Qualified, What’s Next, And Can Anyone Sneak a Team in Now?

Photo courtesy of the FEI/Christophe Taniére

With the international season behind us, we now know the full roster of teams qualified for the eventing at next year’s Paris Olympic Games. But until the close of the year, this isn’t actually set in stone – and although the chance for change at this late stage is slim, there’s still some opportunity for wiggle room in the final line-up that’ll come forward at Versailles.

The sixteen qualified teams, as they stand at the moment, are as follows:

  • FRANCE – automatically qualified as host nation
  • GERMANY – qualified at the 2022 World Championships, where they won gold (Championship level – CCI4*L cross-country with CCI5* dressage and showjumping)
  • USA – qualified at the 2022 World Championships, where they won silver (Championship level – CCI4*L cross-country with CCI5* dressage and showjumping)
  • NEW ZEALAND – qualified at the 2022 World Championships, where they won bronze (Championship level – CCI4*L cross-country with CCI5* dressage and showjumping)
  • GREAT BRITAIN – qualified at the 2022 World Championships, where they finished fourth (Championship level – CCI4*L cross-country with CCI5* dressage and showjumping)
  • IRELAND – qualified at the 2022 World Championships, where they finished fifth (Championship level – CCI4*L cross-country with CCI5* dressage and showjumping)
  • SWEDEN – qualified at the 2022 World Championships, where they finished sixth (Championship level – CCI4*L cross-country with CCI5* dressage and showjumping)
  • SWITZERLAND – qualified at the 2022 World Championships, where they finished seventh (Championship level – CCI4*L cross-country with CCI5* dressage and showjumping)
  • POLAND – qualified in a Group C qualifier at Baborowko in May (CCI4*-L)
  • AUSTRALIA – qualified in a Groups F & G qualifier at Millstreet in June (CCI3*-L)
  • JAPAN – qualified in a Groups F & G qualifier at Millstreet in June, though only claimed their ticket last month after the disqualification of China, who originally earned the spot (CCI3*-L)
  • BELGIUM – qualified at the 2023 FEI European Eventing Championships in Haras du Pin (CCI4*-L)
  • THE NETHERLANDS – qualified at the 2023 FEI European Eventing Championships in Haras du Pin (CCI4*-L)
  • ITALY – qualified at the FEI Nations Cup finale at Boekelo for being the highest-placed unqualified team on the series standing (CCI4*-S/CCI4*-L)
  • CANADA – qualified at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago (CCI3*-L)
  • BRAZIL – qualified at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago (CCI3*-L)

Notable in the above list is the late substitution of Japan for China – a case in point that nothing is set in stone until the final paperwork is stamped. That eleventh hour celebration for Japan, who were our last Olympic hosts, came after the elimination of leading Chinese rider Alex Hua Tian, whose mount, Chicko, was retroactively eliminated from the competition after testing positive for trace amounts of altrenogest, thus pushing China, who fielded their first-ever eventing team at the Tokyo Olympics, to fourth place at Millstreet and out of contention for the Olympics.

But swapping teams doesn’t always come at such a high cost – and, realistically, doesn’t often happen at all. Now, each qualified nation has until the 8th of January, 2024, to confirm an NOC Certificate of Capability with the FEI, which effectively serves as proof that, when the Games roll around next year, the nation will have enough depth and breadth to be able to field three qualified combinations. For now, they just have to submit a list of at least three horse-and-rider combinations who are already sufficiently qualified — and these combinations don’t have to be the ones that end up going to the Games, they can just be any three combinations, as long as they’re qualified by December 31st of this year. Qualifications can be gained at either a CCI5*, or a CCI4*-S and a CCI4*-L, and require:

  • a dressage score of no higher than 45 penalties
  • a clear round or a maximum of 11 jumping penalties across the country, plus not more than 75 seconds on the clock at four-star or 100 seconds at five-star (that’s 30 time penalties and 40 time penalties, respectively)
  • no more than 16 jumping penalties in showjumping

For the majority of nations, this is a mere formality; a deadline that won’t cause any stress beyond ensuring that the list has actually made it to the FEI. Hosts France, for example, have a huge swathe of sufficiently qualified four-star combinations to pull from; likewise Germany, the USA, the Brits, and many more of the qualified nations have a large pool of contenders to pull from.

But for smaller, developing eventing nations, this can be a slightly more Herculean task – though one that, generally speaking, tends to be pulled off by hook or by crook. Ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, China and Thailand both needed to make good on a mid-November trip to Pratoni in Italy to secure some much-needed CCI4*-L results, and both, with the pressure ramped to 100, managed it, earning themselves that coveted trio of qualified combinations apiece and booking their ticket to the Olympics.

And if they don’t? It goes down to a system called composite teams. If a nation hasn’t, or cannot, submit their Certificate of Capability by January 8, or declines their team place by February 5, they’ll be granted an individual place instead and their team spot will go to the unqualified nation that has the best aggregate score on the Olympic rankings. That’s an individual ranking board, so the aggregate score is taken by adding together the ranking of the three best-placed riders for each unqualified nation. The lowest number gets the spot – and if that were to happen in this cycle, we’d see Spain be granted a team spot. They sit on an aggregate score of 643, miles ahead of any of their nearest competition – but they, too, would need to prove that they had three qualified combinations by December 31st of this year. If they couldn’t do that (they can, for what it’s worth), the composite team would be offered to the next highest-placed team on the composite rankings – in this case, China.

There are three countries on this cycle’s list of qualified teams that look, at first glance, as though the Certificate of Capability might be tricky for them. That’s Poland, who fielded a team at Tokyo but have just 104 riders globally registered to compete in eventing with the FEI — a significant number of which are riding at 3* and below — and Brazil, who, likewise, came forward at Tokyo but have just 26 FEI-registered event riders across the levels, and finally, Japan, who are extraordinarily high flyers in the world of upper-level eventing despite having just 20 FEI-registered event riders worldwide.

Poland’s Malgorzata Korycka and Canvalencia. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The State of the Nation: Poland

Poland, notably, has ‘lost’ a couple of its prominent riders since the last Olympic cycle: Pawel Spisak, best known for his partnership with the excellent Banderas, hasn’t been seen at the top level since Tokyo, where the pair were eliminated at the first horse inspection, and since then, Banderas has been competed twice by Pawel’s longtime mentor Michael Jung. University student Malgorzata Cybulska, who was part of the nation’s Tokyo team, hasn’t competed internationally since that Olympic debut.

But — perhaps against the odds — the Polish team is safe, though just. They have four combinations who picked up qualifying results between January 1 of this year and now: Julia Gillmaier and Red Dream Princes, who finished ninth in both the CCI4*-S and CCI4*-L at Strzegom in September and October, respectively; 24-year-old former Polish Junior team member Wiktoria Knap and Quintus 134, who were seventh in Sopot’s CCI4*-S in April and fifth in the CCI4*-L Olympic qualifier at Baborowko in May; Malgorzata Korycka and Canvalencia, who rode as individuals at last year’s World Championships and picked up qualifying results in the CCI4*-S at Strzegom in March and the Olympic qualifier CCI4*-L at Baborowko in May; and former Young Rider and Senior Europeans competitor Pawel Warszawski, who qualified Lucinda Ex Ani with a number of eligible CCI4*-S results this year and the CCI4*-L clincher at Baborowko in May.

Marcio Carvalho Jorge and Castle Howard Casanova. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

The State of the Nation: Brazil

Brazil’s footing here is on slightly shakier ground, not least because we’ve not seen the excellent Goliath since he competed at the World Championships with Carlos Parro, which means that the British-based rider hasn’t been able to get out at the required levels this season. But they do still have three riders qualified, and one with multiple horses. That’s Marcio Carvalho Jorge, who ticked the boxes with eight-year-old Royal Encounter at Sopot’s CCI4*-S and Boekelo’s CCIO4*-L, with World Championships ride Kilcoltrim Kit Kat at Sopot CCI4*-L in May and Lisgarvan CCI4*-S in August, and with Pan Ams individual silver and team bronze medallist Castle Howard Casanova at the same events as Kilcoltrim Kit Kat.

He’s backed up by British-based Ruy Fonseca, who’s been exclusively competing at FEI events with Ballypatrick SRS over the last couple of seasons, and who earned his qualifying results at Mallow CCI4*-L in July and Strzegom CCI4*-S in September, and 26-year-old Rafael Mamprin Losano, who qualified his Tokyo mount, Fuiloda G, at Strzegom’s September and October CCI4*-S and CCI4*-L, respectively, after bringing the horse back in August from a period of time out that began after Tokyo in 2021.

Kazuma Tomoto and Vinci de la Vigne. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

The State of the Nation: Japan

For many, if not most, nations, funding for athletes — whether that’s used to buy competitive horses, travel to competitions, or train intensively — is based on Olympic participation, and though we can only really speculate on how Japan’s funding situation changed after they initially failed to qualify for Tokyo at the F&G qualifier at Millstreet, we can be reasonably confident in suggesting that many of the opportunities that had been presented to these riders ahead of Tokyo, where they hoped to win a home medal and spent voraciously on horses in pursuit of this goal, where thin on the ground throughout much of this season. Because Japan hadn’t really put their hat in the ring for the Nations Cup series, their chances to qualify as a team were nonexistent after Millstreet in June; after all, no one can predict a situation like the one they found themselves in, nor would anyone wish that on their competitors.

The relevance of this becomes clear when you peruse the results of the very talented Japanese contingent, the foremost of which have all been based in Europe over the last couple of Olympic cycles. Yoshiaki Oiwa, who led the dressage at the London Olympics and has been a huge presence on the European scene, has had a tricky season and appears to be struggling with horsepower; as such, he can’t be counted for Japan’s Certificate of Capability.

Fortunately, there are three men who’ve managed it for their nation, despite all finishing their seasons in September. Chief among them is  Toshiyuki Tanaka, who’s based with trainer and FEI ground jury member Angela Tucker in Gloucestershire, and who clinched qualifying results at Blair Castle CCI4*-L and Hartpury and Mallow’s CCI4*-S classes with former Chris Burton and Bubby Upton ride Jefferson JRA, purchased at the start of the year for the rider, and Tokyo mount Talma d’Allou. Then there’s William Fox-Pitt’s protégé Kazuma Tomoto, who finished fourth individually at Tokyo and qualified the same horse, the former Astier Nicolas ride Vinci de la Vigne JRA, at the Group Qualifier CCI4*-L at Millstreet and picked up qualifying CCI4*-S results at Lisgarvan and Little Downham, where he finished second and first, respectively. Finally, Ryuzo Kitajima got it done with his sole remaining FEI horse — World Champs mount Cekatinka JRA hasn’t been out since withdrawing after cross-country at Pratoni — pulling out qualifying results in the CCI4*-S classes at Chatsworth, Mallow, and Little Downham, and in the CCI4*-L at Blair.

It would certainly have been a whirlwind of consecutive plot twists had China taken their team spot back from Japan on the composite system – but for now, unless something truly bonkers happens in the next few weeks, it looks enormously unlikely. This is the Olympics, though, and all sorts of unforeseen things can happen, so keep it locked on EN for updates as each milestone deadline is hit – and tune back in soon for a look at how individual places are likely to be allocated, and for a full refresher on the three-to-a-team-with-substitutes format we’ll be diving back into in Paris. À tout à l’heure, horse nerds.

Follow along with all of EN’s coverage of the Olympics here.

EN’s pre-coverage of the Paris Olympics in 2024 is brought to you with support from Zoetis — Long Live the Horse.

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

 

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Keeping event horses on the go isn’t a cheap prospect, and riders and owners alike are going in for increasingly creative methods to make it work for themselves. One of those methods? ‘Experience syndicates’ and membership clubs, which are much less costly than traditional syndicates and allow for a group of like-minded people from all over to come together and make great friendships while getting behind the scenes with a  horse they love. Britain’s Steve Heal has one such club on the go, helmed by dynamo owner Heather Chapman, and The Holly Hub, which supports newly-minted 4* horse Hagonda, has already sparked some lifelong friendships. We’ll be bringing you the full story of this unusual, very cool horse this week on EN — but for now, try for your own membership in the Holly Hub by entering their festive raffle!

Events Opening Today: Ram Tap Combined TestStable View Aiken Opener H.T.

Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:

Intrepid Olympian and 5* phenom Gemma Stevens is no stranger to discipline-swapping. She’s spent the last few years tipping much more than a toe into the international showjumping scene, and this month, she managed to secure ownership of Envoy Merelsnest Z, the horse she catch rode around her first Hickstead Derby this year. Next on the agenda? A Puissance debut, at the festive London International Horse Show.

The 2024 Eventing Coaches Program Symposium is swiftly approaching! This next edition will take place at the Florida Horse Park in Ocala from January 30–February 1, and you can find all the info you need to attend here.

Look back on a year’s worth of Classic three-day action with US Eventing’s retrospective. Is a classic three-day on your goals list for 2024? If not, maybe it should be — I hear that once you’ve tackled steeplechase, you’re never quite the same again. Get inspired here.

Farewell to Harald Herzgsell, a much-loved member of Austria’s eventing community, who tragically died while schooling a young horse last week. A full-time farmer and farrier, he only took up eventing after losing a bet — but quickly fell in love with his ‘accidental’ sport, going on to compete for his country at the Rural Riders’ European Championship. Find out more about, and say goodbye to, this great character here.

Sponsor Corner: In honor of Kentucky Performance Products’ 25th Anniversary, you have a chance to win KPP swag or products until December 31st. Here’s how you can win!

Watch This:

Catch up on the finale of the Agria Top Ten Indoor Eventing at the Swedish International Horse Show with this winning round video:

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

 

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Nothing warms the cockles of my heart quite like seeing a former top-level horse enjoying a well-earned, fat and fluffy retirement being treated like a king or queen. We’ve been treated to glimpses of two such retirements this week, thanks to Liz Halliday-Sharp, whose Fernhill By Night has mastered the art of the mud spa, and Michael Jung, whose La Biosthetique Sam FBW is king of the castle out with his equally fluffy buddies. Talk about living their best lives!

National Holiday: It’s World Wildlife Conservation Day. Find out more about this important day here and help do your bit for endangered species.

US Weekend Results:

Rocking Horse December H.T. (Altoona, FL) [Website] [Results]


Your Morning Reading List:

Rehab rides are basically my whole life right now. They’re…not exactly interesting, are they? Unless, of course, your horse hasn’t been ridden for a really long time and decides to throw in some extra dance moves. But for the most part, they’re just a long ebb of necessary drudgery, and keeping yourself on track to do all the right things in the right ways can be pretty tough. That’s why I’m going to be making best use of RideiQ’s Post Injury Rehab playlist, which is jam-packed with useful information, ‘hack chats’, and in-ear ride-along lessons that’ll give me plenty to do with my thus far rather bored mare. Want more information for your own rehabbing process? Check out Heels Down’s review here.

Grief is something that – horrendous as it is – is an unavoidable component of the human experience. I lost my grandfather just this morning, and found this, from COTH, a particularly comforting read as I sat down at my laptop to cobble my working day together. It’s all about gratitude, and embracing the good that a person – or a horse – brought to your life while they were in it. Because ultimately, aren’t we all so lucky to have people around that are bright enough lights that we grieve them when they’re gone?

Sometimes those bright lights can give us headaches, too, says the mare owner… But if a moody, tricky mare is one of your primary conundrums, you’ll be particularly interested in a prospective new solution, in the form of Pearl Pods, which aim to better the not-wholly-successful glass marble concept. Find out more here.

And finally, it transpires that infrared thermometers might not be the best solution to replace the old thermometer up the bum trick. Apparently, they’re not giving you totally accurate readouts, because they’re much more likely to get a read on surface, rather than internal, temperature. Sorry for the indignity, horses, but the old method looks like it’s here to stay.

Morning Viewing: 

Fancy an educational start to your day? This documentary feature on the first horsemen is a great way to get the brain juices flowing (ew):

Friday Video: Putting Piggy’s Jumping Exercises to the Test

Here at EN, we’re big fans of Piggy TV, the educational and entertaining video channel of the eponymous eventer, which is chock full of inspiration and ideas for ringwork, jumping exercises, fitness, and much, much more – but we also appreciate that not everyone has the extra income to tack another subscription cost onto their monthly outgoings. And so we were thrilled to stumble upon this video from British vlogger Emily Dobson, who, like us, is a huge fan of the Badminton and Burghley winner and decided to put one of her tried-and-tested jumping exercises to the test with her own horse, six-year-old Addie. Watch to see how they got on, the original inspiration for the session, and, most importantly, how to put it all together in your own arena. Happy jumping!

Host Nation France Reveals Updated Paris ‘Long List’

Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold HDC. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The home-side French defensive has updated its list of potential horses and riders for next year’s Paris Olympics, following a review of summer and autumn events and results.

“This new ‘On Horseback for Paris’ list is made up of horses who performed well this year,” explains eventing team chef d’equipe Thierry Touzaint in a translated statement on the French Equestrian Federation website. “We also have horses of Olympic caliber, who will have to qualify in 2024 by meeting the Olympic minimums in international 4* long format events to qualify for selection. Among them, Darmagnac and Alertamab’Or are two experienced horses who were injured in 2023 and placed on rest. From the start of the year, they can regain their best level and have their place in the French team.”

“We have six riders who have been very consistent for several seasons and now have experience of one or more championships (Olympics, World Championships or European championships),” continues Thierry. “They are the most confirmed and appear to be team pillars. We also have couples who are a little less seasoned but who are on the rise and have had a good season in 2023.”

The fifteen horses and riders on the updated list are:

  • Thomas Carlile and Darmagnac de Béliard , owend by Scea de Beliard and Jean-Jacques Montagne
  • Sébastien Cavaillon and Elipso de la Vigne, owned by the Elipso Syndicate
  • Luc Château and Bastia de l’Ebat, owned by Haras des Châteaux and Laure Sudreau
  • Karim Laghouag and Embrun de Reno, owned by Sarl Ecurie Karim Laghouag, Guy Bessat, Camille Laffite and Philippe Lemoine
  • Karim Laghouag and Triton Fontaine, owned by Philippe Lemoine, Guy Bessat, Sarl Ecurie Karim Laghouag and Camille Laffite
  • Stéphane Landois and Chaman Dumontceau*Ride for Thaïs, owned by S.C.E.A. Ecurie du Cerisier Bleu
  • Gireg Le Coz and Aisprit de la Loge, owned by Frédérique Grand and Augustin Grand
  • Camille Lejeune and Dame Decoeur Tardonne, owned by Sarah Gospodnetic and the rider
  • Maxime Livio and Api du Libaire, owned by S.d.f Api Club
  • Benjamin Massié and Édition Fonroy, owned by Jean-Luc Van Hoenacker and the rider
  • Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza, owned by Jane Young and Martin Thurlow
  • Astier Nicolas and Alertamalib’Or, owned by Aliette Forien, Pascal Ravery, Nicolas Paul and the rider
  • Astier Nicolas and Babylon de Gamma, owned by Marielle Grivot Bize, Etienne Grivot, Bénédicte Nicolas and the rider
  • Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold*HDC, owned by Haras des Coudrettes
  • Nicolas Touzaint and Diabolo Menthe, owned by Mézard Sports and Françoise Niclaus

FFE’s National Technical Director, Sophie Dubourg, says, “We really have ambition for the next Olympic and Paralympic Games. We can count on successful couples who have an efficient ecosystem and on owners committed to France. The assessment that was drawn from the underperformance that we had on the last Olympiad highlighted two problems: emotional instability in the teams and staff and the health problems of the horses. We therefore further accentuated the longitudinal monitoring of the horses. The riders and grooms are very attentive to the team of veterinarians who accompany them in an individualised way throughout the year. We have also strengthened the support in terms of the mental preparation of riders and staff. Mental trainers individually accompany riders in each discipline, staff members and collectives.”

The French team won bronze at the 2023 FEI European Eventing Championships. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The ongoing evolution of the high-performance lists, she continues, is undertaken “according to objective criteria of short-term performance and potential. However, it is not forbidden to bring in other couples in the coming months. We have already seen the very rapid ascent of horses generally associated with very experienced riders. The pressure of the JOPs is great and it is even more so for this edition in France. We learn every day to master it a little more. We have extremely motivated riders in all disciplines. The framework of Olympic and Paralympic competitions is quite rigid. It will be necessary to remain very focussed and not disperse with external stresses. We will have to be very attentive to best protect athletes during the Games.

“In this preparation phase, we try to keep the group alive, to strengthen ties with the owners. We also strengthen our communication by choosing to show the backstage of the preparation to embark everyone on this Olympic adventure.”

Thierry adds, “We are establishing the winter training program for everyone and are starting to plan the start of the competition season which will resume in the spring. We will be able to narrow the list once all the horses have returned to the show grounds. Beyond the horses who must obtain their qualification in a long format, all will need a qualifying result on a CCI4*-S in 2024 to qualify for selection. The idea is to obtain it as early as possible in the season so as not to have to chase qualification as the selections approach. We know from experience that the road is still long and that nothing is certain in advance. We have to stay focused on the objective and do a good job in the coming months.”

Follow along with all of EN’s coverage of the Olympics here.

EN’s pre-coverage of the Paris Olympics in 2024 is brought to you with support from Zoetis — Long Live the Horse.

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

It’s very definitely indoor eventing season, and while I’m stuck at home watching on the livestream, I’m definitely getting my fill of the adventure of getting there by following along with young Swedish eventer Sofia Sjoborg as she documents her trip from England to Malmö for the next class on the calendar. Go forth a live vicariously through her, too, as she takes on one of Europe’s most prestigious competitions of it’s kind!

Events Opening Today: None!

Events Closing Today: Also none!

Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:

I’m always a big advocate for voting within whichever governing body you’re part of. It’s a way to ensure that your needs are being met, and your voice is being represented – and it’s exercising your right to democracy, babyyyyy. Take a look through this year’s nominees for the USEA Board of Governors and prepare to cast your vote wisely.

What does a horse actually need to make it to the top in eventing? COTH caught up with three titans of US eventing — Phillip, Jennie, and Boyd — to find out what they look for in a horse they plan to bring through to the top. As it turns out, even the very best find it seriously difficult, and I’m not sure yet whether I find that reassuring or demoralising, but I’m aiming for the former.

Have you got a horse that’s stuck on box rest for the long term? This article might be a bit of a must-read. It’ll help you get your support system and your care plan down pat, and keep yourself, hopefully, a little bit saner than you’d have been otherwise. Stay strong out there, folks.

Great news for Thoroughbreds in the US: just under $4 million has been awarded in grants to organisations dedicated to the care, support, and rehoming of ex-racehorses in 2023. That pushes the overall total to $31.9 million since the inception of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance in 2012. It’s a promising shift in the right direction, and you can learn more about it here.

Sponsor Corner: How quickly did you switch your horse from pasture to hay? Making the transition too fast can result in gas colic– and big vet bills. Check out this infographic from Kentucky Performance Products on how to make the transition safely.

Watch This:

Ever wondered what it’s like to be the rider in a lecture demo with an eventing legend? It goes a little something like this…

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

 

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Last chance alert: today’s the final day you can secure 20% off your annual Horse&Country TV membership, which will give you access not only to a huge list of international competitions, but also a back catalogue of documentaries, training series, and reality-style TV programmes, making sure you’ve always got something great to watch as the cold nights draw in. Nab your membership here – and let me know what you’re watching!

National Holiday: It’s Cyber Monday, the online equivalent of Black Friday. If you’re in need to a comprehensive list of US-based horsey discounts – with plenty of brilliant small businesses in the mix – check out Amanda Chance’s huge list here.

US Weekend Results:

Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. (Thompson, GA): [Website] [Results]

Your Monday Reading List:

Lauren Sprieser’s concept of ‘deferred maintenance’ — or, The Lotto List — probably sounds pretty familiar to you. You know the one: your phone starts acting real weird, or your car’s check engine light resolutely stays on, or your fridge door suddenly, for some reason, needs to be propped shut to stay shut, but these things require cash outlay to fix, and so it’s those quids-in moments, like the day you sell a horse or a saddle or a car with a better-behaved check engine light, that you tackle all those bits and bobs. So no, maybe there’s no island holiday or very expensive imported youngster that comes after a big-ish sale – but Lauren feels your pain.

Amanda brought you that incredible US-based discount list (scroll up if you missed it!) – but what about the Brits among us? Horse&Hound is on hand to share the best bargains they’ve found. I’m eyeing up all the waterproof coats and boots as I write this while steadily being deafened by the continued barrage of rain. When. Will. It. Stop.

The latest edition of Practical Horseman Extra takes you behind the scenes at a place we think is pretty special. That’s TerraNova Equestrian in Florida, home of sparkling sunshine on eventing days and some seriously incredible facilities. Go take a snoop around the place here.

At just 38 years old, Alexa Pessoa – wife of Brazilian showjumping legend Rodrigo, and a Grand Prix jumper in her own right – was diagnosed with breast cancer. What followed was a saga of strength, community, and flow-state focus as she faced a mastectomy and the Wellington season all at once. Her story is well worth a read today – and is a sage reminder to check your girls for any changes, too.

Need to save some money on your horsey expenses? Think communally. That’s what this group of New Englanders — a notoriously savvy part of the country when it comes to pinching pennies — cites as their biggest life hack, but there’s plenty of great tips above and beyond that shared in this article. Something I’d add to this list? Create a chore barter system. Maybe you’ve been paying for body clipping, but one of your barn mates is excellent at it – and they’re in need of some help fixing their truck, which is something you’re pretty damn good at. Swapping skills in this way can save you both money while getting everything you need done.

Morning Viewing:

I’m avoiding all that rain by going back down my favourite rabbit hole: luxury barn tours. Eat the rich, and let me have their stables, thanks.

Friday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

How are we all doing today, campers? Feeling full to the point of swearing off food forever? Ready to change your phone number and not tell anyone in your family? It’s fine. This is a safe space. Let’s just do some therapeutic horsing today.

 

US Weekend Preview:

Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. (Thompson, GA): [Website] [Live Scoring]

News From Around the Globe:

‘Controlled chaos’ is a concept I can absolutely identify with, and it’s how OBGYN Dr Kathleen Bertuna describes balancing her job, her family, and her FEI ambitions. Find out how she gets it done here.

Didn’t manage to get your paws on Paris tickets? Great news: 400,000 more will be released for sale soon. Here’s the scoop on how to get them.

Move aside, Eric Lamaze: Andreas Helgstrand is equestrian sport’s new boss-level bad guy. An undercover journalist posing as a groom filmed huge amounts of footage showing human and equine welfare abuses, and now, the subsequent documentary, which has aired in Denmark, is sending shockwaves across the industry — and beyond.

The change in temperatures can increase the risk of laminitis. That’s because when frosty weather hits, plants begin to store more sugars — and so whether your horse is lami-prone or not, it’s well worth keeping an eye on his nutritional intake.

Thursday News & Notes

 

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Happy Thanksgiving to our friends on the US side of the pond! I’m wishing you all a day full of good food, happiness, people you love, and a sudden bout of gastrointestinal distress for any racist uncles, forcing them to sit out the family festivities. If you’re not so lucky, here’s some very valuable reading for you to start your day and bolster your savage takedowns over dinner. It’s also, frankly, just very important to educate ourselves on the origins of Thanksgiving as it concerns indigenous folks, and how we can honour them while celebrating. Eat well, love well, and have a great day.

US Weekend Preview:

Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. (Thompson, GA): [Website] [Live Scoring]

News & Notes from Around the Globe:

Michael Jung is shelving his plain bays in favor of a splash of color. Okay, okay, so no one’s actually getting shelved — but his new ride, who he’s taken on from Aussie eventing legend Andrew Hoy, is seriously flashy and can really, really jump. Meet the chromey new addition to his string here.

We talk a lot about how cross-discipline training can make us more well-rounded riders. That same philosophy holds true, too, for picking up different roles in the horse world — and that’s exactly what Helen Alliston discovered when she began judging. Find out more about her eureka moment here, and then, take a moment to think about how you can pick up another role in the horse world to broaden your horizons. (Volunteering at events is a great way to do this!)

Speaking of people who fill different roles and benefit from it, John Michael Durr is a bit of an eventing multi-hyphenate, balancing competing and teaching with course designing. Meet this busy, fascinating competitor here.

Hot on Horse Nation: When is a photo just a snapshot of a split second in a ride, and when does it begin to become indicative of a horse and rider’s overall training? Gwyneth McPherson explains all.

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

Over the weekend, EN’s dear friends Carlos and Sam from Equestly had to face a nightmare scenario: their house burned down, leaving them with just enough time to grab their dogs and get out before the building was engulfed. Sadly, they lost one of their two beloved cats in the blaze, and all their possessions, too — but Kim Tierney has set up a GoFundMe to help them get back on their feet ahead of the holiday season. Check it out and help out, if you can, here.

Events Opening Today: Sporting Days Farm January Horse Trials I

Events Closing Today: Full Gallop Farm Jingle Bells H.T

Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:

Are you a course designer or planner/organizer and want some better tools for your cross country courses? You might want to check out a free webinar hosted by CrossCountryApp to roll out a whole slew of new features, including ability to color-code tracks, overlay them to see how they intersect, automatic FEI reporting, and much more. The webinar is free to attend and will also be recorded. You can register in the U.S. webinar (TODAY at 6 pm EST) here and in the UK and Europe (TOMORROW 11/22 at 8 am BST time) here. You can also learn more about the new CrossCountryApp Toolkit here.

We love an unusual eventing horse — and Splash certainly fits the bill. The 15.2hh Clydesdale/Vanner cross was actually bred to be a jousting horse, but was sold as part of a divorce and I guess there weren’t that many jousting households around to snap her up. After six years in a field, she finally got a proper start under saddle — and now, she’s loving eventing at Beginner Novice.

European Champ and 2x five-star winner in 2023 Ros Canter is on tour. She and longtime trainer Caroline Moore have been travelling to venues around the UK sharing the tips and tricks of their success, and if you missed out on the live show, you can debrief on some of the most pertinent points here. 

When a group of female physicians from around the country bonded over their shared love of eventing, it was the start of a magic friendship. But when one of their own, the remarkable Val Johnson, passed away suddenly, it became an even louder rallying cry for the women in the group, who found a special way to honor their friend at this year’s AECs. Warm your heart this morning here.

And finally: we’re not the only ones rabid with excitement over Aachen 2026. Here’s how plenty of big name riders are feeling about the return of the WEG format (sort of) and a World Championship at one of equestrian sport’s most impressive venues.

Sponsor Corner: Why does Buck Davidson call Hannah Sue Burnett Smurf? Why did Bobby Meyerhoff retire his racing saddle? What was Doug Payne’s course walk strategy? Get all the behind-the-scenes tidbits you didn’t know you needed from the Maryland Five Star. Coverage sponsored by Kentucky Performance Products.

Watch This:

Ever wondered what it’s like to compete at the Cotswold Cup, the UK’s premier unaffiliated eventing series? Go behind the scenes with one rider and find out…

 

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

Oh, to be a Swede, frolicking in the sand dunes of a beach at sunset. I’m not actually 100% sure what the Swedish Olympic pathway athletes are up to at their beachy resort — are they training? Are they simply team-building? But whatever it is, I know that I want in, and immediately. If they sweep all the medals next year, I’ll be the first to embark on a deep dive into the competitive powers of a bit of vitamin D.

National Holiday: It’s Transgender Day of Remembrance. Take a moment to reflect on the lives that have been affected or lost by violence against trans folks, and learn more about the history of the day here.

U.S. Weekend Action

The Event at TerraNova (Myakka City, FL): [Website] [Results]

Ram Tap H.T. & Classic 3-Day (Fresno, CA): [Website] [Results]

Your Monday Reading List:

Rider interviews have been added to post-fall protocol at FEI events for 2024. Now, after hitting the deck with their horses on cross country, riders will be required to speak to the ground jury, to help create a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances that lead to the horse fall in a bid to further improve safety in the sport.

The ground jury for Paris 2024 has been announced, and it’s a pretty stacked line-up, featuring a high-flying Dane, the Frenchman whose name I like more than just about anything in the world, and a representative from the US of A, too. Find out who got the coveted appointment — and the TD and stewards roles, too — here.

Speaking of Danes, did you know that they have their own spotted breed of horse? If you’ve seen some dotty horses making waves at shows in Canada recently, you may not have been watching an Appaloosa, but rather, a Knabstrupper — thanks to Tiara Equine, who have been piloting the breed across the disciplines in Ontario.

And now for something completely different: this holiday season at the London International Horse Show, jockeys will be testing their skills over a course of show jumps set by British eventing team performance manager Dickie Waygood, and with expert help from Pippa Funnell and Nick Skelton. It’s all for charity and should make for great watching if you’re heading to the show on the evening of Monday, December 18.

Morning Viewing:

Follow along with a group of grassroots riders as they tackle training sessions with some of the sport’s greats, including Joseph Murphy:

Das Ist Soers Gut: 2026 FEI World Championships to Take Place at Aachen

Photo courtesy of CHIO Aachen.

It’s a big ‘welcome home’ for the next FEI World Championships, set to take place in 2026, as the governing body announced today that Germany’s Aachen Soers has been granted the task of hosting the multidisciplinary competition. Aachen last hosted the championships in 2006 — notably, for our sport, anyway, the first time that the modern iteration of the long format was used at a World Championship.

Five high-powered venues put forward bids to host one or several of the disciplines in 2026, which will be the second running of the FEI World Championships since the disbanding of the World Equestrian Games format that existed from 1990 to 2018. These were:

  • Aachen (GER) – Jumping, Dressage, Para Dressage, Eventing, Driving Four-in-Hand, Vaulting;
  • Boekelo (NED) – Eventing;
  • Burghley (GBR) – Eventing;
  • Al Ula (KSA) – Endurance;
  • Samorin (SVK) – Endurance

Al Ula, in Saudi Arabia, has been confirmed as the host of the FEI Endurance World Championships, while Aachen will take on jumping, dressage, para-dressage, eventing, driving, and vaulting, heralding something very close to a return to the World Equestrian Games format at a venue that, for nearly a century, has hosted the very best of each discipline every summer at the enormously popular CHIO Aachen World Equestrian Festival.

“We thank the FEI for their trust,” CHIO Aachen General Manager Michael Mronz said after the announcement, which followed a meeting of the FEI Board in Mexico City today. “We feel honoured and pleased to host, together with the German Equestrian Federation, the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026 in six disciplines: Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Vaulting and Para Dressage. Already today we would like to invite the entire world of equestrian sport to Aachen so that we can celebrate an unforgettable event together in 2026.”

Aachen: perhaps equestrian sport’s most impressive venue. Photo courtesy of CHIO Aachen/Andreas Steindl.

“The allocation by the FEI Board of the FEI World Championships 2026 to Aachen and Al Ula is a significant decision for the future of equestrian sport,” said FEI President Ingmar De Vos. “We examined every aspect of the bids we received and especially the sporting infrastructures, the conditions for the horses, accessibility and sustainability. The FEI is delighted to have secured such outstanding hosts for our most prestigious Championships three years in advance, which allows plenty of time for preparation and planning.

“I would like to congratulate the winners, who submitted outstanding bids. We are all well aware of Aachen’s unique track record of organising extremely successful large-scale events. We were impressed with Al Ula’s proposal, which not only contains all the components of a successful event but seeks to showcase the heritage and potential of an entire region.

“And last but not least, I would like to thank all the bidders, who took part in this process for their strong bids and commitment to the sport. It was not easy to choose between such strong bids. We hope that those who didn’t get it this time will consider bidding for future events.”

The FEI World Championships at Aachen will take place from August 11–23, 2026, and the eventing is set to begin on August 13 with the first day of dressage and continue until the 16th, when the showjumping finale will play out.

Tickets will go on sale next Monday, November 20, at 9.00 a.m. CET (8.00 a.m. British time/3.00 a.m. EST). You can get your hands on them here, plus check out the full timetable of events, a site plan, and plenty more. Note: Advance tickets for Eventing, Vaulting, and Driving are not on sale at the same time and will go on sale at a date to be named. We recommend signing up for updates on aachen2026.com or keeping an eye out here for updates on ticket availability. Go Eventing – and Go Aachen!

Racing to the Top: Mark Your Calendar for the 2024 #TBMakeover!

Alison O’Dwyer and Knockemdown in the Thoroughbred Makeover Finale.

Did you, too, find yourself thoroughly inspired by last month’s Thoroughbred Makeover finale? Featuring a huge variety of disciplines, from eventing to barrel racing to polo, freestyle, field hunters, dressage — you name it, and the Thoroughbred Makeover probably offers it — it’s an incredible showcase of what off-the-track Thoroughbreds are capable of, and a seriously fun challenge for the trainers who take it on. And at the end of it all? One overall champion will be awarded $10,000 — and everyone can take home the pride of knowing they’ve contributed to advertising OTTBs as the remarkable sport horses they are. If all that sounds, well, pretty great, you’ll be thrilled to hear that it’s very nearly time to get the ball rolling again, with applications for the 2024 program opening in exactly one month.

Here are some of the key dates you’ll want to keep in mind:

  • Applications open for drafting: December 18, 2023
  • Applications open for submission: January 2, 2024 – January 19, 2024
  • Late applications open for submission: January 19, 2024 after 5 PM EST, until June 28, 2024 (late entries will be subject to an additional fee)

The 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium will take place October 9-12, 2024 at the Kentucky Horse Park, and to be eligible to take part, horses must not begin training before December 1, 2023. They may be ridden up to fifteen times before that date, and since leaving racing, in order to assess for suitability — but to keep this competition fair and to truly chart each horse’s progress over nine-ish months, that December starting gate is key.

Costs for entry are as follows:

  • $200 one-time annual trainer application fee, regardless of trainer status (individual, team captain, or team member)*
  • $150 horse registration fee per horse, billed to individuals and team captains

*Late trainer applications (received after 5 PM EST January 19th, 2024) will require a $300 trainer application fee, plus the $150 per horse the trainer intends to enter.

Final Entry fees: billed at the time of final entry August 1st through 15th

  • First discipline, including schooling and drug testing fees: $150 per horse
  • Second discipline: $100 per horse
  • Stalls (horses or tack, flat rate for the week): $225 per stall
  • Ship-ins (no stall): $60 per Final Entry form
  • Non-compete horse fee: $50 per horse*
  • ASPCA Makeover Marketplace listing per horse*
    • Standard: $60
    • Featured: $95
    • Premium: $110

*All participating horses that complete a final entry will require a first discipline fee and stall (or ship-in) fee at minimum. The rest of the fees are optional.

Sounds like a great excuse to start browsing the CANTER listings, right? While you’re doing so, it’s always a smart idea to familiarise yourself with the rules of the competition and some of the frequently asked questions. We also recommend a YouTube deep dive, starting with this hugely insightful webinar on what to expect from your Makeover experience:

And this one, which takes you behind the scenes at the arrival examination:

Happy watching, and happy Makeover-ing!

 

Thursday Video: Snoop Around One of the World’s Leading Dressage Barns

A couple of years ago, in the height of the pandemic, I stayed in the Netherlands for two weeks at the base of Olympian Tim Lips, helping British rider Mollie Summerland to train and prepare for a crack at Luhmühlen’s CCI5* in Germany. What happened next is history, really, but one of the things we spoke about frequently while sequestered in our peaceful little Dutch enclave was how cool it would be to find a way to visit Van Olst Horses, the base of Denmark’s Ann Van Olst and, of course, young British superstar and reigning World Champion Lottie Fry. We never did get a chance to head over — the pandemic made things like that pretty tricky — and so today, I’m making myself a massive cup of tea and curling up on the sofa to get the behind-the-scenes tour through this video. Which facilities would you take – and what would you add? — to create your dream property?