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Tuesday News & Notes from Legends Horse Feed

By on Mar 1, 2022 7:23 am -

Oliver Townend celebrates his third consecutive Kentucky win. Will he make it four in 2022? Photo by Shelby Allen.

Happy Kentucky Entries Day! I’ll tell you something for nothing – in all the madness of the last week or so, watching riders’ giddy social media posts about submitting Badminton entries has really cheered me up. And now we’ll have double the fun, because LRK3DE entries have officially opened and we can start the countdown to next month and the #BestWeekendAllYear! 

If you’re planning to head to the Bluegrass State this year, today is a great day to secure your tickets, too, because tomorrow is the last day to get advanced entry prices. Save money now, spend it later at the trade village. It’s only right.

Events Opening Today: Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, Spring Bay H.T., Longleaf Pine H.T., FENCE H.T., Fair Hill International April H.T. & CCI-S, Twin Rivers Spring International

Events Closing Today: Pine Top Spring H.T., Copper Meadows Eventing, LLC H.T., Ocala Winter II H.T.

Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:

Spending too much time stressing about perfecting your position? Don’t – because the perfect position doesn’t exist. Showjumper Karl Cook explains the fundamentals of form vs function – and why the US system tends to emphasize the former at the expense of the latter.

Inmates at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center are benefitting from an extraordinary program. In working with mustangs, they not only give their horses a second chance at life, they also undergo a multifaceted process of rehabilitation themselves. “This is biggest relationship essentially I have here in prison, so I come out here and she relies on me and I rely on her every day,” says one inmate in the program.

The European Equestrian Federation has released a treatise on social license after eventing’s most recent foray into the mainstream media. The piece makes some salient points about how our sport is seen from the outside and why the perspective of a non-horsey viewer is so, so important.

I feel like all of us live in low-ebb fear of ulcers. Horse a bit girthy? You’re already pricing up a scope. Kicking out against your leg? GastroGard costs how much again? Rather than living in fear, learn to spot the signs of gastric ulcers with this useful guide from The Horse. (And then maybe consider taking out an insurance policy in case your horse does require expensive treatment for any ailments in the future!)

USEA has released a clarification for its new Novice B test. If you’re planning to compete at the level this season, be sure to check out the change, which adds some specificity to the walk.

With EHV-1 once again rearing its head at major horse shows, there’s no better time to brush up on your biosecurity practises and intel. Learn how to keep your horse safe from contagious nasties with this handy how-to primer.

Listen to this: Ryan Wood has reliably delivered the goods year-in and year-out, consistently racking up the most cross-country clears of any USEA competitor in a season. Check out his recent stint on the USEA Podcast here and find out how he manages it.

Video Break:

We love Nissan’s commitment to honouring Black entrepreneurs – and we particularly love this insight into Brittney Chambers’s brilliant riding program that emphasises positive mental health.

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

By on Feb 28, 2022 8:07 am -

I’ll admit that it feels quite odd and backwards to be pulling together dressage tips and horse show news for today’s round-up, considering everything else that’s going in the world right now. But on the other hand, there’s a part of me that thinks, ‘enjoy this – enjoy the normal stuff, the trivial things, because they might not be around forever.’ Is that a doom-and-gloom way of looking at things? I don’t think so; I think the conflict in Ukraine has been a sharp reminder of how shaky the ground our societies are built upon really is.

I don’t pretend to know the best way to deal with it all, but the balance I’ve settled on here is to engage as much as possible by learning everything I can, donating what I’m able to, and lobbying my own MP and Parliament to allow a safe passage for refugees, which is something I’ve always believed in wholeheartedly. Alongside that, I’m not going to disregard the little things, good or bad, in my own life, because as human beings, we’re all capable of emotional multitasking. I will, however, make space for perspective.

If you, too, want to contribute in some way to the ongoing war efforts in Ukraine, or the safe evacuation of its civilians, here is a useful list of resources to guide you. Many Ukrainians are fleeing with pets, and there are efforts being made to move horses out of the country, too. For a list of charities aiding in these efforts, click here.

National Holiday: It’s Taiwanese Peace Memorial Day today. This holiday serves as a somber reminder of the huge loss of life in the country in 1947 after a civilian uprising against the Chinese government. Up to an estimated 28,000 people were killed in a violent suppression by the National Revolutionary Army, and for 38 years thereafter, Taiwan would live within the iron shackles of martial law in a period known as the White Terror. In today’s political climate, it’s a useful moment in history to learn about.

Black History Bit of the Day: Some modern history in the spotlight today, this time courtesy of the Hatley family from Texas. The first Black family to race Quarter Horses in their state, they’ve recently picked up their first win with a striking stallion aptly named Black Lives Matter. “With all the police brutality and awareness of Black Lives Matter movement, I think it was the best time ever to keep it going so it would never, ever be forgotten,” Keelronn Hatley said. “To see it printed out, and hear it called was like, ‘Okay, we really in business now.”

U.S. Weekend (and Wednesday!) Action:

Pine Top Advanced H.T. [Website] [Results]

Three Lakes Winter II at Caudle Ranch [Website] [Results]

Full Gallop Farm Mid February H.T. [Website] [Ride Times]

Your Monday Reading List:

It’s training crunch time as the start of the season (in Europe, anyway!) draws ever closer. Get your head in the game – and nab some inspiration for your flatwork – with this look back at the International Eventing Forum in 2020, where dressage rider and trainer Adam Kemp shared his insights.

Karen Bartlett, part-owner of Laura Collett’s London 52, has seen many of her dreams come true over the last few seasons. She shares her incredible experiences with British Eventing Life.

Exciting news for young showjumpers as the Youth Olympic Games, rescheduled for 2026, has a worthy interim competition for this year. The Youth Equestrian Games will be structured around the same principles as the Youth Olympics, and will see the participants compete on unfamiliar horses after a three-day training period. 30 nations will take place in this historic competition, which will be held during CHIO Aachen from June 28 to July 3, and we’re excited to see the first-time participation of six nations, including Palestine.

Exciting Opportunity of the Day: Are you an FEI jumping or dressage steward (minimum Level 1), and keen to gain experience at a championship event? The Pony European Championships in Strzegom, Poland is looking for stewards for its dressage, showjumping, and eventing competitions this summer. Email [email protected] for more information.

The FutureTrack Follow:

Australian CCI5* winner Hazel Shannon is making a strong bid for an exciting 2022 season in the Northern Hemisphere, basing herself with fellow Aussie expats Kevin and Emma McNab in the UK. Give her a follow and join in with the adventure!
Morning Viewing:

Prepare for early-season cross-country schooling with help from Piggy March!

Friday Video from SmartPak: Out on Course with the Paris 2024 Designer

By on Feb 25, 2022 5:29 pm -

There’s been a major announcement on the airwaves ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will see the equestrian disciplines unfold at the stunning Palace of Versailles. Pierre le Goupil, best known for designing and building tracks at Le Grand Complet at Haras du Pin, will take on the coveted role of course designer at the Games – and that’s been an announcement that’s left more than a few fans of the sport puzzling over where they might have come across this prolific designer.

The former Olympian has designed in a number of developing eventing nations, including Brazil, Bulgaria, Belarus, China, Hungary, India, Japan, Russia and Chile, and he’s also been appointed the role of designer at the 2023 Pan-American Games and European Championships, which will be a brilliant opportunity for all of us to get a better idea of the kind of track he likes to build.

But for those of us who aren’t quite so patient, rejoice: the Nations Cup at Le Grand Complet has been filmed in its entirety by FEI TV/Clip My Horse, and I spent this evening rewatching it with beady eyes to try to get a sense of the man who’ll be at the forefront of everyone’s minds in a couple of short years. Rewind to 2019 (would that we could!) and enjoy wall-to-wall le Goupil action from the heart of Normandy – you can thank us when you’re collecting your medals.

Ramping back up into full work for the spring? SmartPak has everything you need to make the transition back to show season. Click here for more.

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Join the OTTB Journey – UK Style!

By on Feb 23, 2022 5:25 pm -

I am, without apology, a ride-or-die Thoroughbred enthusiast. When I was very small and going to the local riding stable whenever funds allowed, there was one Thoroughbred gelding there, owned and ridden by the stable’s yard manager – and to me, that meant that riding a horse like that meant you’d really earned your stripes in the saddle. My admiration for these special horses only grew when, sometime that summer, I was playing with my model horses in the sunshine outside my house and saw a smiling woman hacking down the road on a leggy, elegant, Munnings-esque stamp of a gelding. Decorum be damned; I dropped my plastic ponies and wandered out into the road, begging to be allowed a golden opportunity to stroke her perfect horse. She did me one better.

“Is your mummy inside?” she asked. I nodded. “Can you go get her?”

I did, dragging her away from something that was likely considerably more important, but thank god: when we got outside, the woman had dismounted from her perfect, wonderful, magical gelding and was letting him pick away at the little pitch of grass in front of our humble abode.

“Would it be okay for your daughter to have a sit on him?” she asked. My mother – who was never able to afford to let me ride, not really, not in the way I know she’d have liked to – gave her blessing. With one quick hoist, I was blissfully high up, my chubby little fists proudly holding the reins correctly between my ring and little fingers, as I’d been taught on those rare trips to the stables, and that kindest of ladies was telling me all about the horse’s previous career as a racehorse as she led me in a little circle around the lane. And you know what? Thoroughbreds – and particularly ex-racehorses – have never lost any of the magic they held for me back then, when one lovely neighbour and one sweet-natured gelding gave me a spark of hope that horses could be a part of my life.

I know I’m not alone in finding something extra-special in ex-racehorses, and so I was delighted to see that British vlogger Lucy Robinson of FootLuce Eventing‘s newest project is a particularly smart stamp of a Flat horse called Ember. I suspect we’ll see him putting some exciting results on the board out eventing pretty soon, but for now, it’s a pleasure to tune in for the early parts of the journey. And yes, it’s totally okay to fall in love.

JointWise™. Developed for equine athletes like yours.

In this modern era, horses are living and performing well into their 20s and 30s. The maintenance of ample lubrication and durable articular surfaces within the joints is necessary to ensure long-term soundness and exceptional performance. Horses of all ages can benefit from the support of JointWise, a complete joint supplement.

The horse that matters to you matters to us®.

KPPvet.com

Tuesday News & Notes from Legends Horse Feed

By on Feb 22, 2022 4:47 am -

 

 

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I truly believe that if heaven exists, it’s probably quite a lot like a Monday at a winter circuit horse show – a day off to enjoy the sun and the sand, safe in the knowledge that you’re only ever a mere smattering of hours away from the next trip through the in gate. The Price family definitely seem to be making the most of it as they tackle Europe’s Sunshine Tour, an enviable pre-season tradition for the Kiwi superstars.

Events Opening Today: USEA MDHT FEH/YEH/NEH Qualifier, CDCTA Spring H.T., Pine Hill Spring H.T., The Fork at TIEC, Chattahoochee Hills International

Events Closing Today: SAzEA Spring H.T., Southern Pines H.T., Full Gallop Farm March I H.T., Meadowcreek Park-The Spring Social Event, Red Hills International H.T.

Black History Bit of the Day: We love it when equestrians make it into mainstream media, and when those equestrians are helping to shape the industry and make it a more inclusive space, we’re even more excited. ELLE’s profile of Shaquilla Blake might only count as very recent history, but we’re big fans of this changemaker, who’s been a valuable conduit for the voices of so many riders over the past few years. 

Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:

An outbreak of EHV-1 in California has led to the cancellation of two shows, in a situation that feels eerily similar to the one in Southern Europe last year. One horse has been euthanised so far, and three of the eight cases have shown neurological symptoms. More on this story here.

With the Paris Olympics just a mere two and a half years away, the FEI is taking a closer look at France’s contribution to equestrian sport. And yes, they do go a bit deeper than just sharing multiple black-and-white portraits of Maxime Livio, as we might be tempted to do.

In the wake of an inconclusive autopsy on the racehorse Medina Spirit, the horse’s Kentucky Derby victory of last year has been posthumously revoked. Trainer Bob Baffert has also been banned for 90 days and served a $7,500 fine for contravention of equine drug-testing policies.

Fancy heading to Rebecca Farm to contest the CCI3*-L or CCI4*-L this year? Thanks to a new grant from Ocala Horse Properties and US Eventing, you could get some serious help to do so – as long as you’re a resident of Areas I, II, III, or VIII. Find out how to apply here.

Video Break:

What a round! What a horse! What a… oh. Click here to watch.

Also, some Thoroughbred Makeover stats:

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

By on Feb 21, 2022 7:23 am -


It’s Monday morning, and as such, there’s not a thought being thunk in this pretty little head – except this video from Lauren Nicholson, which has been playing on a loop in my one remaining brain cell ever since she posted it. May you all have a day that’s more well-behaved-horse-popping-cavaletti and less rogue-hellbeast-gatecrashing-the-party. I mean, unless that’s the vibe you’re into.

National Holiday: If you’re an Arkansan, you likely know that today is Daisy Gatson Bates Day, which celebrates the work of this incredible civil rights activist, who played a huge role in the integration of Little Rock central High School in 1957. After losing her mother in a racist attack when she was just three years old, Daisy grew up fast and dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of Black folks – and by the age of 15, she was the founder, editor, and a contributing writer of The Arkansas Weekly, a paper that focused on amplifying the voices of Black people around the country and advancing civil rights. What a woman.

Black History Bit of the Day:

US Weekend Action:

Jumping Branch Farm H.T. (Aiken, Sc.): [Website] [Results]

Ram Tap Horse Park H.T. (Fresno, Ca.): [Website] [Results]

Rocking Horse Winter II Advanced H.T. (Altoona, Fl.): [Website] [Results]

Stable View Young Event Horse Qualifier & Eventing Academy Schooling Show (Aiken, Sc.): [Website]

Your Monday Reading List:

The latest in the ongoing Sir Mark Todd kerfuffle: another spectator from the clinic in question, this time a trainer, has stepped forward to share his account of events with the British Horseracing Association, the governing body that has temporarily suspended Todd’s training license as investigations into the footage continue on apace.

Ever fancied winning some money for being a spectator? That’s what Michael Cruciotti, creator of Jump Clear Fantasy, is aiming for. Built as a way to attract outsiders to the sport of showjumping, the fantasy league offers you the chance to predict class results and claim real cash prizes. Count me in.

More and more frequently, we see the term ‘GOAT’ bandied about as a way to describe a sportsperson who exists on the topmost echelon of their industry. But are we using the term too freely? And could the moniker actually have a negative impact on sporting performance? Laura Lemon considers both sides of the cin in this think piece.

Mongolia and Kazakhstan are the home of all things horse, with the first evidence of domestication coming from these Asian countries. Now, new research into these nomadic peoples suggests that climate change was the root cause of their expansion from the steppes into the rest of Asia and Europe – a movement that heralded significant global changes and power shifts.

The FutureTrack Follow:

 

 

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The Black Equestrians account doesn’t just celebrate the history-making Black riders of the past, it shouts from the rooftops about those making waves today across the disciplines. Give them a follow for some seriously supportive communal vibes and some brilliant new riders to support.

Morning Viewing:

Tegan Vincent Cook has one goal in mind: the 2024 Games in Paris. But for this talented young rider with cerebral palsy, it’s the Paralympics that has her attention – and in this emotive short documentary, which was funded through the Netflix Documentary Talent Fund, you can follow part of her journey to put the pieces together and give herself a golden opportunity.

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Cross-Country, But Make It Chaotic (and Swedish!)

By on Feb 16, 2022 5:00 pm -

They say that misery loves company, and for that reason, I think we’re all inclined to gravitate towards videos of other riders dealing with incredibly fresh horses in the winter. Of course, gold medallist London 52 is the best-known sky dancer with Laura Collett giggling away in the irons, but Swedish eventer Pontus Hugosson gives them a jolly good run for their money in his latest vlog. Following an indoor cross-country clinic, he decides to put his horse Sune through his paces – and some serious shenanigans follow. You’ll also get to watch him give recently backed four-year-old Hot Ninetta her first jump, which is always a great educational watch.

If nothing else, I feel much better about having to get back on my rehabbing eventer today. After all, all you’ve got to do is grab a little mane and keep smiling (oh, and do a kick flip if you do hit the deck, apparently).

JointWise™. Developed for equine athletes like yours.

In this modern era, horses are living and performing well into their 20s and 30s. The maintenance of ample lubrication and durable articular surfaces within the joints is necessary to ensure long-term soundness and exceptional performance. Horses of all ages can benefit from the support of JointWise, a complete joint supplement.

The horse that matters to you matters to us®.

KPPvet.com

Moving On Up: Checking in with Stable View’s Eventing Academy

By on Feb 16, 2022 12:00 pm -

A new arena at Stable View will be open for use by the Eventing Academy participants this week. Photo courtesy of SV FB.

We’re big fans of Stable View‘s Eventing Academy, which promises to take your winter training to the next level and, to be honest, kind of makes all of us here at Team EN want to pack our bags and our horses and head to Aiken for the winter. This super series combines great opportunities to work on all three phases over a couple of training days, plus a schooling horse trials on the final day with over $20,000 of prizes up for grabs over the course of the year.

With just one EA event in the books so far, we’ve got a leaderboard that’s currently one big dead heat – so the points picked up this week will be highly valuable to those who got their names on there early. Here’s how it’s looking at the moment:

Can we just say that we love Kaitlin Clark’s style? That’s a show name we can seriously get behind. Further (unofficial, EN-only) points go to London Wilde’s UnBEARable Without You. Really excellent stuff.

The next Academy weekender begins tomorrow with a packed day of cross-country schooling over Stable View’s expansive course. But that’s far from the only thing on offer: Saturday is the EA Schooling Day, which gives you a chance to practice any or all of the three phases, and Sunday sees the EA Schooling Horse Trials take place, with lots more valuable points to be won. Friday and Saturday evenings are devoted to the Graze and Gaze social events from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. As always, Sparky Photography will be on site to snap those highly-covetable shots of your pride and joy, while the riders’ lounges are open and fully-stocked for post-ride snackage. R&L Vending will be providing on-site catering, too, and you can get yourself a golf cart as needed from The Golf Cart Lady.

Here’s a little taste of what you can expect if you take part in the Eventing Academy:

 

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Haven’t nabbed your spot for this week’s Academy yet? There are still some places open for non-competing horses – but don’t wait to book, as the final closing date is the 18th of February. You can get involved here, or check out the full 2022 schedule to plan your season at Stable View!

Tuesday News & Notes from Legends Horse Feed

By on Feb 15, 2022 6:10 am -

How cool is this clip, filmed by Sara Kozumplik Murphy? It shows FEI judge Peter Gray giving the five-star B test a ride through – a great way to get a fully-rounded sense of how each movement needs to flow into the next one, for sure, but not one we’re often privy to see. Thanks for sharing this super learning moment, Sara!

Events Opening Today: Morven Park Spring H.T., Rocking Horse Spring H.T., Stable View Spring 2/3/4*

Events Closing Today: Sporting Days Farm March H.T. II, Chattahoochee Hills H.T., Rocking Horse Winter III H.T., Twin Rivers Winter H.T., Full Gallop Farm March Wednesday H.T.

Black History Bit of the Day: Meet five of the Black cowboys who shaped the west – and had a major influence on early American horsemanship.

Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:

Fancy experiencing the thrill of steeplechase and the quiet buzz of roads and tracks this year? USEA has released its 2022 roster of Classic events, with plenty of opportunities for competitors from Beginner Novice to Preliminary to try their hand at the long-format.

Sir Mark Todd has stepped down from his role as patron of the charity World Horse Welfare. This move comes in the wake of significant backlash following the release of a viral video that shows him hitting a horse with a tree branch during a clinic two years ago.

Ever thought you might be past the age threshold for achieving equestrian success? Meet 85-year-old Zoe Harrison, who’s just received honours from Australia for her significant contributions to the sport of dressage. You can read more about her fascinating story here.

Even if you’re not a racing fan, you’ll know the name Red Rum. The iconic three-time Grand National winner is one of the greatest Thoroughbreds of all time, undoubtedly – but how did trainer Ginger McCain first find the horse? Turns out that’s a pretty good tale, too.

And finally, meet Johnie Bravo, a Navajo Nation pony who’s taking the world of eventing by storm. What an absolute little dude.

Video Break:

Get the latest from Elisa Wallace, including a bittersweet goodbye to Munson Slew:

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

By on Feb 14, 2022 7:09 am -


Happy Valentine’s Day, you lovely lot! I’m a horrendous commitmentphobe, so this isn’t my holiday of choice, but I’m going to use it as a great excuse to give my mare Bella (currently the world’s most adorable pasture pet as we deal with a bit of a mystery lameness) a lot of smooches and Stud Muffins today. I love this roundup of images by Hannah Cole, showing some of the stars of British eventing doing much the same thing.

National Holiday: If you want to skip the aforementioned, it’s also International Book Giving Day — and as a total bookworm, I’m SO into this. Give your single barn friends a copy of Jilly Cooper’s seminal bonkbuster Riders to get them through the lovefest.

Black History Bit of the Day: What’s it actually like being the only Black rider in a yard? Here, several athletes share their experiences across the disciplines.

U.S. Weekend Action:

Full Gallop Farm February I H.T. (Aiken, Sc.): [Website] [Live Scores]

Ocala Winter I H.T. (Ocala, Fl.): [Website] [Results]

Pine Top Intermediate H.T. (Thomson, Ga.): [Website] [Results]

Global Eventing Roundup:

Just one FEI event took place over the weekend, and that’s a CCI2*-L in Bangalore, India, that’s been a hard-won fixture for the country’s riders ahead of this autumn’s Asian Games. This selection trial was originally scheduled for last month, but was downgraded to a CCI1* after concerns from the FEI over ‘alarming’ completion rates at December’s Delhi qualifier. Concerns sited included “insufficient level of preparation of the Indian athletes” and “lack of cross-country awareness of the riders”. Just 12 of that event’s 41 starters completed, though an improvement in preparations and national-level minimum eligibility requirements re-opened the door for the event to host its two-star qualifier this month. Though it’s no doubt disheartening for athletes and officials to have received the initial downgrading, it’s ultimately a constructive step for the sport in this developing nation, which received a great boost last summer when Fouaad Mirza impressed at the Tokyo Olympics. By putting an emphasis on safety, technique, and proper training at these early stages, Indian eventing can begin to climb the global sporting ladder and create further pipelines for its athletes.

Your Monday Reading List:

The 2022 edition of the Gaucho Derby across Patagonia is about to begin! Click here to meet the intrepid group of riders from around the world who’ll be taking on this extraordinary challenge, which will see them cross some of the world’s most challenging and beautiful terrain.

An amateur rider who suffered a terrifying — and life-altering — freak injury is calling for increased compassion in the horse community. After fighting her way back from an exploded vertebrae that saw her lose feeling in much of her lower body, and function in her bladder and bowels, Jennie Sharpe was horrified to overhear nasty comments about her weight from the ringside before heading in to jump a round at an international. Undeterred, the hard-as-nails rider has become an ambassador for her condition and hopes to help other struck by cauda equina.

Ready to master corner fences? British 5* eventer Eliza Stoddart brings you plenty of tips to take the fear out of these common cross-country questions — starting in your arena.

We’re all about maximising time out in the field for horses – and a new study from Centenary University suggests that horses who spend half their time in the field are actually significantly less prone to soft-tissue injuries, making the argument that “I’m keeping my horse inside so he doesn’t hurt himself” a pretty baseless one after all.

It’s insane to me that we’re only just starting to really put scientific research behind the female anatomy as it correlates to riding. Just a couple of years ago, I covered a study being done at a university in the UK, which measured chest movement in riders and worked towards creating a more functional sports bra. In the twenty-teens! But while we do tend to lag behind as a sport, where research is concerned anyway, I’m glad to see it happening — and this Polish study on the effects of riding on the pelvic floor is another positive step, I think.

The FutureTrack Follow:

Skip the Hallmark cards – I’ll be your Valentine if you send me one of these cheery little numbers from Mare Goods. SO cute.

Morning Viewing:

Ever wanted to train with the legendary Lucinda? Here’s an insight into what the experience is like, with 4* eventer Ashley Harrison.

Friday Video from SmartPak: Cross-Country Schooling – Minus the Rider

By on Feb 11, 2022 6:00 pm -

The concept of cross-country schooling on the lunge isn’t a particularly new one – you can see it in action in just about every sales video of a young horse from Ireland, and even superstars such as Michael Jung have been known to don some wellies and get comfortable in the water jump as their up-and-comers figure out their footwork around them. It’s a great way to encourage natural balance and cleverness, while building a horse’s confidence — and so British YouTuber Meg Elphick decided to give it a go with her six-year-old mare Dora. Find out how they got on, and still some training inspiration for your own horse, in her latest update.

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Connie Pride with Allie Sacksen

By on Feb 9, 2022 5:00 pm -

There are some horses that just capture all our hearts collectively as they skip around the top-level events, and Allie Sacksen‘s late, great Sparrow’s Nio was one of those wonderful unifiers. Small, tough, and determined, he made everything about his job look like jolly good fun, and we’d be lying to you if we said we hadn’t been daydreaming about a Connemara pony of our own since then.

“Nio took me places that I could never have dreamed of as a little girl, not because he was the biggest or fanciest horse but because he truly loved what he did and always tried his hardest for me. If you want a heart horse, a Connemara will give you all they have and even a little more,” says Allie in conversation with US Equestrian, who’ve rereleased this video of Nio’s 2019 Kentucky round for us all to get inspired by all over again.

Go eventing, and Go Ponies!

JointWise™. Developed for equine athletes like yours.

In this modern era, horses are living and performing well into their 20s and 30s. The maintenance of ample lubrication and durable articular surfaces within the joints is necessary to ensure long-term soundness and exceptional performance. Horses of all ages can benefit from the support of JointWise, a complete joint supplement.

The horse that matters to you matters to us®.

KPPvet.com

When in Rome: 9 Places to Stay for the World Championships

By on Feb 9, 2022 3:30 pm -

My travel-hungry little brain has been living for Leslie Wylie’s AirBNB roundups this week – I’ve now picked my pad of choice for trips to Ocala, Aiken, and Tryon that I don’t even actually have in my diary, because she’s such a dab hand at picking out the gems. But if Leslie is a pro at AirBNB-ing America, I’m going to claim the honour of being the queen of European hotel booking. In my years as EN’s British and European correspondent, I’ve blagged my way into chateaus in the Loire Valley, balconies overlooking Swiss lakes, and cozy English hotels that provide you with your very own rubber duckie for bath time. (I’ve also stayed in what I’m absolutely certain was a crack den for a whole £10 per night, but that was early in my career and I was rather more avant-garde about my booking methods. A learning curve, if you will.)

I love nothing more than hunting out my next haunt abroad – and because I got a head start on this year’s World Championships and pre-booked a party villa that’ll likely end up housing all of the equestrian media at this rate, I’ve got a bit of spare time to help you find your perfect (and exceptionally well-reviewed!) spot for your trip to Italy this September. You can thank me with an Aperol at the VIP bar.

First things first — when are we going? The World Championships run from September 14-18 this year.

And where is it, again? Pratoni del Vivaro is situated in Rocca di Papa, which is about 45 minutes south-east of central Rome and about 30 minutes south-east of Ciampino Airport.

What else is nearby? A couple of jolly good lakes. Lago Albino and Lago di Nemi are popular spots to cool down on hot days, and Lago Albino even has its own volcano.

Okay — but how hot are we talking? Pretty much perfect for Rome, actually. The humidity lessens a bit in September and you can expect dry, sunny days between the mid-70s and low 80s, with cool evenings that are perfect for dinners outside.

Cool. But before I book a place to stay, I probably need a ticket. You probably do, yes. Here you go.

All the hotels and AirBNBs listed below have vacancy during the World Championships at the time of posting. Prices represent a stay from Wednesday — that’s trot-up and opening ceremony day — with a Monday checkout. 

FOR THOSE WHO LOVE THE LAKE LIFE

Photo via booking.com.

Hotel Castel Gandolfo

Sleeps: Four

Price for five nights: $1,405 (or $351 per person)

There aren’t many rules I stick to in life, but this is one I take very seriously: if you’re staying near a body of water, you simply must book a place with a balcony. This sweet two-bedroom apartment offers just that, giving you the chance to enjoy some quality time by Lago Albino while remaining in close proximity to the event itself. You’ll enjoy a view of the lake from the apartment itself, as well as access to this stunning terrace, equipped with a hot tub, dining area, and apparently a ‘spa corner’. It’s in the historic part of this pretty town and close to the Pope’s summer home, so you know you’ll be guaranteed a dreamy spot. You’ll also get discounted rates at the local country club, so get those massages and facials booked in stat.

Photo via vrbo.com.

Cozy Refuge In Genzano Historic City Center

Sleeps: Four

Price for five nights: $443 for two guests, up to $675 for four (that’s just $169 per person!)

I’m obsessed with the rooftop views from this sweet, historic apartment, which has one bedroom and a double sofa bed. In fact, the entire village it’s in is medieval and gorgeous, with picture postcard views and, of course, the sparkling expanse of Lake Nemi to its credit. This is the kind of place you can live your best Italian life: head out in the morning and buy your vegetables from the friendly local greengrocer, Virgilio, who’s got as many jokes as he has tomatoes, or visit Juri at the local seafood spot for a special discount. You’ll feel like a local all week.

FOR THOSE ON A BUDGET

Photo via booking.com.

Sole Mio Loft

Sleeps: Four

Price for five nights: $744 (or $186 per person)

I love this as a cheap and cheerful option for a group of friends – it’s just a 20 minute drive from the event and it’s got everything you need, including a pool, a lovely terraced dining area, your own private kitchen for late-night snackage, and that all-important AC. It’s in a pretty, historic-looking building and the owners get lots of nods in the reviews for being incredibly kind and welcoming – plus, they’ll provide breakfast to fuel you up before each day of adventuring.

Photo via booking.com.

Casale Colleoni

Sleeps: Two

Price for five nights: From $595 for a twin; $766 for a double (or $297.50/$383 per person)

This guest house in Tivoli feels old in all the right ways – like the sultry scenes of Italian getaways in Normal People or Call Me By Your Name. If you want to pair your eventing with some countryside bike rides, covert kisses amidst the Cyprus trees, and, um, some snuggles with the resident donkey, this gorgeous spot has all the ingredients to give you a bit of a fairytale experience. It’s about a 40 minute drive from Pratoni, but you’ll be just a matter of steps away from Hadrian’s Villa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an absolute must-see on your trip. Reviews describe this as an idyllic spot, and we totally get that.

Photo via booking.com.

Travelershome Ciampino B&B

Sleeps: Up to four

Price for five nights: $175 if a single traveller; from $530 for four people (or $133 per person)

Flying into Ciampino? Then this easy option will make your life very simple indeed — it’s just three miles from the airport, and a 30 minute drive from Pratoni. It’s also mind-blowingly cheap despite its glowing 9.1 rating, so if you’re coming with a pal, a partner, or just flying solo for a bargain trip to the biggest event of the year, you’ll be able to save all your pennies for pizza and tradestand-raiding. Okay, so it’s not the most inspiring setting – your views will include a perfectly nice, but reasonably modern, suburban neighbourhood, and the decor is a little bit like a sugared-up teenager from 2005 has been let loose in IKEA, but the reviews are super, the place is clean and well-equipped, and as far as a bargain option goes, it’s pretty sweet.

FOR CITY-BREAK STAYS

Photo via booking.com.

Hotel Splendide Royale

Sleeps: Two

Price for five nights: From $3,215, depending on the options you choose

If you’re staying here, I expect an invite to dinner in the Michelin-starred restaurant on site. Talk about doing a championships properly: this place will go down in history as one of your most memorable eventing stays, I reckon. The hotel is housed in a 19th-century monastery next to the stunning Villa Borghese (itself home to a major horse show) and just a few minutes’ walk away from the iconic Fontana de Trevi and the heart of historic Rome. It’s not a cheap stay, mind you, but if this is a treat yo’self sort of trip for you, you could certainly do worse than this beautiful spot. Those views of the city that you’ll be treated to while you dine? Guaranteed to blow your Insta feed up.

Photo via booking.com.

Vatican Studio Apartment

Sleeps: Two

Price for five nights: $794 (or $397 per person)

This gorgeous studio offers you plenty of options — it has a large double bed and a sofa bed, so while the booking suggests it’s a two-person spot, I reckon you can get two more pals in there and make it a real bargain for what it is. (You’ll need to be pretty comfortable with one another, though – there don’t appear to be many doors within the place!) Just ten minutes from St Peter’s Square, the threshold of the Vatican, this all-in-one booking gives you the ease and convenience of a private kitchen, which can make your trip a whole lot cheaper and gives you a great excuse to raid some of those early-morning markets to get fresh ingredients. Is there anything more Italian, really? I’m not sure what I love more – that gorgeous old entryway, the archway in the studio, or the proximity to everything you might want to explore in this incredible city.

Photo via booking.com.

Nikis Collection Navona

Sleeps: Two in a double or up to five in an executive suite

Price for five nights: From $710 for a double; $1341 for a suite with five guests (or $268 per person)

Okay, so staying in the heart of Rome means you could be looking at an hour long commute into the event each day, but when you consider you’ll be within walking distance of the Pantheon and nestled in next to the River Tiber, it all starts to feel as though it might be worth it. I love the idea of getting a group of five horse-mad gal pals together and going eventing all day and partying all night – and the best thing about this place is that its sun-trap terrace will be the perfect spot to sweat out any remaining hangover before you go back to do it all again. The location of this place is a solid 10, and if you go for a suite, you’ll get a kitchen of your own too – ideal for stashing extra bottles of the good stuff.

And finally…

FOR THOSE WITH A LOT OF FRIENDS

Photo via vrbo.com.

Villa dei Castelli

Sleeps: Up to fourteen in seven bedrooms

Price for five nights: $3,248 if you’re bringing 14 people – that works out to $232 per person

Ever fancied running away with all your horsey pals and just totally living the villa dream for a week? This surprisingly affordable place is exactly what you need. Located in Rocca di Papa, just a stone’s throw from the event, it features seven bedrooms and five bathrooms over three floors, with a massive balcony, a huge amount of garden space to go bonkers in, and a living room/second kitchen/party zone on the top floor for end-of-day debriefs about who nailed their changes. You probably won’t need it, but there’s even a fireplace up there if the evenings start to get chilly. If you’re all sick of one another, though, don’t worry — there’s another living area and kitchen on the bottom floor, so there’s plenty of space for everyone to decompress. You’re totally in your own oasis here, so stick those Bluetooth speakers on and make the most of it.

A Roman Holiday: Box Office Opens for the Pratoni World Championships

By on Feb 9, 2022 12:00 pm -

From left, Padraigh McCarthy (IRL), Ros Canter (GBR) and Ingrid Klimke (GER) at Tryon in 2018. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Picture it now: it’s mid-September on the outskirts of Rome. The sultry sun is prowling its way across the sky; the air smells faintly of pasta and Aperol; a single bead of sweat glimmers on your forehead as your peer through oversized sunglasses at Michael Jung as he picks his way through a corner complex. You’re fuelled wholly by quality carbs and Italianate day-drinking, and if anyone were to ask, you’d tell them honestly — and hazily — that you’ve probably never been happier. Later on, you’re planning to cool down from a day of top-notch eventing action by climbing into the Trevi fountain and recreating that iconic scene from La Dolce Vita, but for now, this is the only place you’d like to be: Pratoni del Vivaro, surrounded by the world’s very best eventers.

If this all sounds right up your street, you’ll be delighted to hear that Pratoni opened its box office today — and while the ticket pricing has had us all scratching our heads a bit, there are some super deals to be had. For weeklong visitors, you can get a season pass for as little as €96 (or $110), or upgrade yourself to the VIP pavilion, which gives you upgraded parking, an exclusive bar, lounge and ‘relaxation area’, and, we presume, the chance to get a little bit closer to your heroes. That’s just €143.85 ($165) for the whole week if you use the promo code currently available on the site. Or, if you’re just hoping to pop in for a single day, you can buy day tickets for prices as low as €6.83 ($7.80) for grounds passes without reserved grandstand seating. Under-12s will be able to enjoy free tickets all week, and parking is free and serviced by a shuttle to the grounds. Check out the box office for more info and to get your passes. Of course, it’s worth noting that this year’s World Championship isn’t like the World Equestrian Games of previous cycles: instead of featuring all the disciplines in one facility, the competitions have now been split. Eventing will be followed by combined driving at Pratoni in the following week, while showjumping and dressage will be held in Herning, Denmark.

The event will run from September 14-18, and is situated in Rocca di Papa, a southern suburb of Rome. You’ll find a number of hotels and B&Bs in the immediate area, but move fast — now that the box office is open, we’re expecting to see many of these snapped up by fans and the teams themselves. Options next to the nearby lakes, Lago de Nemi and Lago Albino, look particularly promising if you want to cool down somewhere scenic after a long day of spicy eventing action, or check out hotels near Rome’s Ciampino airport, which is situated between the event and the city. If you fancy staying closer to the city itself, look in the Municipio VII area – you’ll be about a 30 minute drive from the competition and really close to the hub of Rome, which is so worth a lengthy visit. Stay tuned – we’ll share some of our favourite hotel options to help you get your trip set and sorted!

 

Badminton Winner Takes Team Coach Role with Team New Zealand

By on Feb 9, 2022 9:00 am -

Sam Griffiths will take over the role of New Zealand team coach, heralding an end to his own top-level career as a rider. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Winter – ostensibly the off-season in much of the Northern Hemisphere – is always a time of major change. This is the part of the year when you expect to see the sale of big-name horses, and it’s also the window of wiggle room required for staffing switcharoos, too. You don’t have to have been paying particularly close attention to have spotted just how much upheaval has been going on across the board in that department: as well as US eventing’s contentious clear-out of high performance staff, the New Zealand squad also opened its doors after Graeme Thom opted to step down from the role. That, of course, prompted an awful lot of questions from the sidelines: would we see the two squads simply swap their coaches?

As it turns out, no — or at least, we won’t be seeing Erik Duvander return to his former role at the helm of the Kiwis in this cycle, anyway. Equestrian Sport New Zealand (ESNZ) has just announced the appointment of two exciting new names atop its roster, and both look set to hit the ground running en route to this year’s World Championships in Pratoni, Italy.

2014 Badminton winner and Australian Olympic medallist Sam Griffiths will take over the role of head coach, stepping back from his own upper-level competitive career in order to do so.

“Being an Antipodean, I have always had an affinity with Southern Hemisphere riders,” says Sam, who was part of the bronze medal-winning Australian team at the 2016 Rio Olympics and has been based in the UK for over 20 years. “New Zealand has a lot of very talented riders and I know quite a few of them so feel I have a good rapport with them.”

We’ve already seen one of his upper-level horses, Billy Liffey, head to a new rider: young British five-star rider Bubby Upton recently welcomed him to her string alongside two rides of Chris Burton, who has also recently stepped back from eventing in order to pursue his goals in top-level showjumping. Though no further announcements have been made about any of Sam’s other horses, he’s been busy adding more and more coaching engagements into his diary over the last few years, so this might not be as drastic a change as it may appear.

“In my heyday I had a lot of horses but over the last few years I’ve been doing more coaching. I’m really excited about this,” he says. “They are such talented riders and if everything comes together we should be able to get some good results. I’m looking forward to the challenge. I was never the most talented rider; I really had to learn how to manage myself and what had to be done to be competitive to a high level, [so] I bring that experience and knowledge – knowing how to find a way to work through a challenge to get to where you want to go.”

Of course, stepping into a vacancy left behind by a much-loved trainer like Graeme does bring its own unique pressures and so, he says, the first step will just be to build a relationship with the squad’s riders in a new way. “Then we can get on with converting good training into winning medals. I feel honoured to get the role and excited about the future of it.”

ESNZ’s High Performance General Manager (and fellow five-star victor) Jock Paget says: “[Sam] knows how to prepare different types of horses, how to transition them from the Southern to Northern Hemisphere, which is a big part of us. He has a great way with people so will fit well into the team. It is exciting to have someone with his experience on board.”

Fiona Tibone is the newly announced High Performance manager for the New Zealand eventing squad. Photo courtesy of ESNZ.

Joining Sam at the helm of the New Zealand squad is newly announced High Performance Manager Fiona Tibone, who cut her teeth in the industry as a prolific and successful career groom. In the 90s, this saw her groom for Kiwi legend Blyth Tait when he became World Champion in 1990, and she worked with the New Zealand team at both the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games. Her varied and exciting career has seen her take on coaching duties, train young horses, own competition horses, and work in logistical and leadership roles, giving her a unique and multifaceted perspective on how to best serve the many cogs in a complex high performance machine. She’s also previously worked with the US and Italian teams, and can bring her experience of different methodologies to the table.

“She has a real wealth of knowledge and experience and will be such an asset to the team as the new high performance eventing manager,” says Jock.

Both roles are closely linked and will see Sam and Fiona collaborating extensively to reach the ESNZ goal of improved championship results, starting with this year’s World Championships.

“These new appointments come out of an extensive debrief following the Tokyo Olympic Games and understanding the context we are in within the high performance programme – like what the barriers are, what the riders need and how we best support them. The riders have been heavily involved in shaping that need, so this is all completely linked to both the debrief and the strategy going forwards,” explains Jock.

ESNZ chief executive Julian Bowden is equally positive about what’s to come for the Kiwis. “I am very excited about the opportunities and knowledge Sam and Fiona bring to ESNZ,” he says. “Their credentials and track records will certainly bring real value to our entire squad. These appointments show a true commitment to ensuring our eventing programme remains successful going forwards and has the necessary support to perform on the world stage. We believe this team will give us the best opportunity and structure to do well at championship level in the future.”

Paris Ahoy: Seven-Year-Old World Champion Sold to the USA

By on Feb 8, 2022 10:48 am -

Kevin McNab’s newly-minted World Champion Cute Girl shows why she’s head and shoulders above the rest at Le Lion d’Angers in 2021. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

There’s not a lot that gets our heart rates up in February – but high-profile horse transfers certainly do the trick, and truly, ’tis the season for them. Following on from the transfer of Chris Burton‘s Jefferson and Blenheim eight- and nine-year-old winner Clever Louis to young British star Bubby Upton, and Kevin McNab‘s Osberton CCI3*-L victor Scuderia 1918 Humphreys to Piggy March, we’re excited to reveal the news of yet another Australian superstar switching camps this week – and this time, the horse in question is joining the US efforts with an eye on Paris 2024.

Kevin McNab‘s 2021 Seven-Year-Old World Champion Cute Girl (Coventry x Caligula, by Clearway) has joined the string of Ocala-based young professional Hallie Coon, who has previously represented the USA at Houghton Hall Nations Cup, taking team silver in 2018 with former top ride Celien, and finishing seventh in a hot field in 2021’s Nations Cup finale at Boekelo CCI4*-L, where she competed as an individual with the inexperienced Global Ex. (Spare a thought for her head groom Tabby Fiorentini, who now has two grey mares to prepare for competitions – perhaps a purple shampoo sponsorship should be in the works, too?)

Hallie Coon and Global Ex. Photo by Shelby Allen.

“She just has every quality you could possibly want in a championship horse — she tries so hard; she’d basically try and give you anything,” says Hallie. “I’m such a mare person, so we meshed really, really well — I can’t even describe the feeling. It’s so incredibly exciting for me to have another unbelievable mare in my string, and I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve had to secure this — I’m pretty overwhelmed at the whole thing!”

We’ve been following Hallie through her career with her powerhouse mare squad — click here for a flashback to her 5* debut at Pau in 2018 and a little more on Hallie’s own origin story — and we’ve devoted no small amount of time to our love of Cute Girl, too, who’s been so expertly produced by Kevin.

Kevin McNab and Cute Girl. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“We were thinking that Cute Girl would be a great horse for us to aim at Paris, but unfortunately, part of what we have to do in this sport is sell on some good horses,” says the Aussie Olympian. He’ll play an integral part in the getting-to-know-you process, as Hallie plans to travel back to the UK for a bonding bootcamp before the mare makes her way across the pond.

“Now, hopefully we’ll still get to see her go on to Paris. It’s great to see her go to Hallie and we’re looking forward to following them in the future – we wish her all the best and all the success we’ve enjoyed, too,” he continues.

For Hallie, part of the enormous draw of finding her horse of a lifetime is that the mare is coming, quite specifically, from Kevin’s yard.

“Getting to ride such a well-produced and established horse is an unbelievable opportunity,” she says. “To take on a ride of Kevin’s is particularly special, because I’m a huge fan of his style of riding and production: he rides incredibly lightly and brings his horses along to enjoy their work, which was the quality that made me fall in love with Cute Girl from the moment I sat on her. She’s very much her own person, and she’s been given the room to express her opinions – and now, she’s a world-class competitor who’s hungry to find her way to the other side of the flags. She’s got everything you dream of finding in a horse that will go all the way, and for someone who’s dreamed of representing the USA on the world stage my whole life, riding her makes it all feel tangible.”

“I’m incredibly excited about the whole situation and feeling so lucky to have even had the chance. I can’t believe I have the opportunity to do this with such an unbelievable horse who has so much to her name already, and not only is it very exciting, but it’s quite a bit of pressure as well — in a good way! Kevin’s done such an unbelievable job of producing her; I’m honestly a bit speechless.”

Hallie Coon and Global Ex at Boekelo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

But Hallie and her team won’t be the only lucky folks who get to enjoy the journey — and, with any luck, a French destination — with the sparky, talented mare. Cute Girl is to be syndicate owned, with a novel new model that splits her ownership between several traditional syndicate shares and a microsyndicate club, too, allowing fans of the sport with smaller budgets to get involved and enjoy access to behind-the-scenes exclusive content, training tips and advice, and the chance to join Hallie at events and training sessions. Even more excitingly, Hallie hopes to use the club as an opportunity to get access groups, such as inner-city riding schools, involved for free, creating a community and a chance to learn and network for aspiring riders who hope to get a foot in the door in the industry.

“I think it’s really easy for us all to get caught up in the enormous amount of day-to-day work that comes with producing a string of horses and running a business, and then this disconnect can happen where we don’t see the barriers to entry as easily purely because we have such an enormous degree of separation from them,” says Hallie of her split-syndicate model. “The idea that we all had to work to get where we are and that that path is open to everyone comes from a good place a lot of the time, but it’s not cognizant of the many very real barriers that people from marginalized communities may face. The syndicate offers owners the chance to join an incredibly exciting journey as it happens, but I wanted to give people who might not have the same resources the chance to join in as well and enjoy being an important part of the story. My hope is that this creates a friendly community of people bonded by their love of horses and the sport, allowing for a gateway inward for anyone who wants to take steps up the ladder and take a more active role in the sport.”

We’ll be bringing you plenty more information on this over the next few weeks, but for now, anyone interested in snapping up one of the remaining larger syndicate shares can contact Hallie and her team at [email protected] for more information. In the meantime, Go (US) Eventing!

 

Tuesday News & Notes from Legends Horse Feed

By on Feb 8, 2022 8:43 am -

 

Sorry, but is there anything cuter than tiny eventing superstars-in-the-making in their very large helmets? Annabelle McNab, daughter of Aussie stars Kevin and Emma, is all about safety first as she heads out for a pony ride (and presumably plots her path to eventual World Number One status).

Events Opening Today: Full Gallop Farm March II H.T., Texas Rose Horse Park H.T., March Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks, Carolina International CCI & H.T.

Events Closing Today: Full Gallop Farm Mid February H.T., Three Lakes Winter II H.T. at Caudle Ranch, Pine Top Advanced H.T.

Black History Bit of the Day: Meet Mavis Spencer, the show jumper who’s helping to break down barriers while smashing out her own competitive goals, too!

Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:

Struggling to maintain a consistent contact in your flatwork? Try these three simple exercises from British dressage rider Nicki Crisp, which you can sprinkle throughout your schooling sessions as needed.

Part of the fun of the Kentucky 5* experience is all the other stuff that happens on site. Grand Prix showjumping, trade stand shopping, bourbon drinking and, of course, all the fantastic demos that take place through the week are all must-dos for your trip – and this year, we’re so excited to see the debut of para-showjumping for the first time in the US. You’ll be able to catch these super demos on Friday and Saturday.

Ever wondered what it’s like to head over to Europe in search of your dream horse? This handy guide gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect. Spoiler: it’s about the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

What is burnout, and how do you know whether you’re suffering from its effects or just feeling a bit worn out? Rob Jacobs shares his experiences, views, and coping mechanisms for tackling this tricky phenomenon and getting yourself 100% again.

After the season of a lifetime saw Boyd Martin take the first US 5* victory since 2008, the rider has had another major honour bestowed upon him – he earned the top spot on the USEA rider rankings for the fifth time. Not too shabby.

I’m always excited about small businesses, especially when they cater to markets that are too often neglected. Check out this super brand founded by Belgian equestrian Raniyah, who aims to provide fellow hijabi equestrians with modest clothing to wear at the barn.

Video: Meet Muthoni Kimani, an aspiring show jumper from Kenya who’s back in the saddle following an accident that robbed her of her confidence. Now, she’s on a mission to make her way up the levels and onto the world stage.

Vlog:

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

By on Feb 7, 2022 8:06 am -

I had the great joy of heading over to Pippa Funnell’s place last week to write some training pieces based on her Windrush training sessions, which serve to help young up-and-coming riders make the next step in their careers – and now that the January session has wrapped up, those riders are back at home putting Pippa’s exercises into practice. Basically, what that means for all of us mere mortals is that we can scour their social media and steal those exercises for their own use. Love that for us.

Black History Bit of the Day: Have you ever heard of Ruby Nicholas and Dorothy Cumbo? I hadn’t either, but now I’m fascinated by this tough duo who organised horse shows for their community at a time when Black people were banned from most major venues.

National Holiday: It’s National Send a Card to a Friend Day, which is a notion I find totally appealing. A bit of post that isn’t a bill is always so exciting, especially if the friend in question has had a rough time of it lately. Consider it the simplest, nicest act of kindness you can do today. Oh, and it’s also Grenada’s Independence Day today – they gained freedom from British colonisation on this day in 1974.

US Weekend Action:

Galway Downs Kickoff H.T. (Temecula, Ca.): [Website] [Results]

Sporting Days Farm February H.T. (Aiken, Sc.): [Website] [Results]

Three Lakes Winter I H.T. at Caudle Ranch (Groveland, Fla.): [Website] [Results]

Global Eventing Roundup:

The first CCI4*-S of 2022 wrapped up over the weekend at the Zeep Summer EA Horse Trials at Ballarat in Victoria, Australia, with Aussie superstar Megan Jones taking the win aboard RLE Barina. Second place went to Murray Lamperd riding ex-racehorse Secret Mojo, and Sam Jeffree took third with Woodmount Lolita. Meanwhile, the CCI3*-S class went the way of local rider Yona Lloyd with Ballahowe Ayurvedic, and Mollie Kennedy took the CCI2*-S with Lavender Rise Ferghus, giving herself a hat trick of recent wins.

This is an unusual venue for Australia’s season opener four-star, which we usually see in March at Tonimbuk, but our friends in the Southern Hemisphere have been under lock and key due to tough Covid restrictions and now, as the country reopens for business, officials are making some major changes to ensure riders and horses get enough early season outings and point-earning opportunities. We’re excited to see our Aussie brethren getting back into the swing of things as their summer season continues on apace.

But let’s not forget the fine folks of New Zealand, who are also in the midst of a summer season after a seriously tough period of restriction. They hosted the only other FEI event of the weekend at the Troy Wheeler Contracting Springbush Horse Trials in Papakura, where there were CCI2*-S and CCI3*-S classes on offer. Jasmyne Speake took three-star victory on Pioneer Jeepers Creepers, while Charlotte Penny and SD Amourosi were victorious in the CCI2*-S.

Your Monday Reading List:

The FEI has ruled that it will not suspend several members of the Blenheim ground jury, plus TD Patricia Clifton, after a mix-up at the 2021 renewal of the event. The issue arose after a rider was allowed to continue on after a fall on cross-country, and has been deemed to be the result of a communication mix-up.

Amateur riders are some of the hardest working people in the sport, and after two years of this pandemic, I have a renewed respect for those who balance medical careers with riding and competing. Meet Brooke Krbec, who splits her time between a fellowship in Boston and her string of hunters – oh, and she’s recovering from a major surgery herself. Here’s how she gets things done.

The USEA’s Instructor Certification Program has been developing a training handbook, which details a consistent format of expectations through the levels. This’ll be put into practice in this week’s ICP Symposium at Barnstaple South in Ocala, but if you want a sneak peek at how some of the levels are laid out, you can take a closer look here.

If you’re preparing for a move-up, chances are, you’ve been pretty tough on yourself at some point in the process. But as blogger and dressage rider Laura Adriaanse discovered, sometimes you’ll reach the end result a bit faster if you go easier on yourself.

The FutureTrack Follow:

 

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Need to brighten up your feed? Muddy Mayhem‘s signature brand of sweary equestrian humour and motivational memes will do the trick.

Morning Viewing:

Join me in my happy place — the British Pathé archives of Badmintons past. Bliss.

Friday Video from SmartPak: Behind the Scenes with Lauren Billys

By on Feb 4, 2022 5:30 pm -

Behind every bad-ass eventer is a couldn’t-write-this-thang story of resilience, determination, and a little bit of kismet – and Lauren Billys has plenty of the above in her corner. The West Coast-based eventer, who rides for Puerto Rico, recently welcomed a camera crew to her farm to share her fascinating backstory and an insight into her life as a top-level athlete, and it makes for some pretty inspiring viewing. Oh, and if you’re trying to balance college and horses? Consider it a must-watch!

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Get Ready for the Big Bs with Piggy March

By on Feb 2, 2022 6:27 pm -

We’ve been missing seeing Piggy March‘s super vlogs on our YouTube feed, though we hear her web-based training academy is a seriously good way to get yourself in gear for the season — almost as much, in fact, as the still reigning Badminton champion has been missing that most iconic of events. She caught up with the Eventing Podcast’s Nicole Brown for a jolly good natter about all things Badminton and Burghley, giving us all plenty to get excited about for the year ahead. This one’s a bit like meeting up with friends down the pub, so pour yourself a glass of something nice and enjoy!

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US Equestrians Reveals Riders Shortlisted for 2022 Eventing Development Program

By on Feb 2, 2022 3:35 pm -

Caroline Martin and Islandwood Captain Jack. Photo by RedBayStock.com.

As we head ever closer to the start of the global eventing season, all eyes are on the forthcoming World Championships in Pratoni, Italy this fall – and to that end, we’re starting to see the pipeline for rider development make its early moves. Today, US Equestrian released the names of the horse-and-rider combinations who’ll take part in the assessment sessions that act as a feeder for the Eventing Development Program, which is helmed by Leslie Law and provides vital support and resources to up-and-coming team riders for the United States. Law will team up with fellow members of the Performance Advisory Program to evaluate and assess the combinations for their suitability for the 2022 USEF Development Program, after which they’ll continue to train under Law for a further six months.

The Development Program is designed to create a progression onward to the Pre Elite and Elite programs, and as such, athletes that have ridden on Olympic, World Championship, or Pan Am teams aren’t eligible to take part. But because of the program’s intention to create a pathway for both promising riders and developing horses, more experienced riders can take part with up-and-coming equine stars, as you’ll see in this exciting list.

The following athletes have been chosen to take part in the assessment stages of the program:

Woods Baughman (Lexington, Ky.) and C’est La Vie 135, a 2008 Hanoverian gelding owned by Woods Baughman, James Baughman, and Kim Baughman

Dan Clasing (Lovettsville, Va.) and Onley Uncle Sam, a 2007 Trakehner gelding owned by Jennifer Larkin

Ariel Grald (Southern Pines, N.C.) and Forrest Gump 124, a 2011 Hanoverian gelding owned by Anne Eldridge; Diara, a 2014 Hanoverian mare owned by Anne Eldridge; and Isla de Coco, a 2014 Holsteiner mare owned by Anne Eldridge

Lillian Heard (Cochranville, Pa.) and her own Dassett Olympus, a 2013 Irish Sport Horse gelding

Amber Levine (Petaluma, Calif.) and Cinzano, a 2011 Holsteiner gelding owned by Cellar Farm Corp.

Caroline Martin (Miami Beach, Fla.) and Islandwood Captain Jack, a 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Caroline & Sherrie Martin; Redfield Champion, a 2014 Hanoverian gelding owned by Caroline & Sherrie Martin; and HSH Vamonos, a 2015 Zangersheide gelding owned by Caroline & Sherrie Martin

Kurt Martin (Marshall, Va.) and D.A. Lifetime, a 2012 Holsteiner mare owned by Debbie Adams

Alexanda MacLeod (Marshall, Va.) and Newmarket Jack, a 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Alexandra & Carla MacLeod

Andrew McConnon (Vass, N.C.) and Ferrie’s Cello, a 2012 Warmblood gelding owned by Caroline Martin & Jeanne Shigo

Allison Springer (Upperville, Va.) and Crystal Crescent Moon, a 2013 Connemara cross gelding owned by Nancy Winter

Additional athletes invited to an assessment:

Maya Black (Clinton, Wash.) and Miks Master C, a 2012 Swedish Warmblood gelding owned by Laurie Cameron

Alyssa Phillips (Fort Worth, Texas) and Oskar, a 2009 Holsteiner gelding owned by Alyssa & Julie Phillips

Caitlin Silliman (Kennett Square, Pa.) and Ally KGO, a 2011 Trakehner mare owned by Ally KGO Syndicate, LLC

To learn more about the Eventing Pathway Program, please contact Christina Vaughn, Director of Eventing Performance and Program Support, at [email protected].

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOPC, and USEF sponsors and members.

Tuesday News & Notes from Legends Horse Feed

By on Feb 1, 2022 4:48 am -

 

 

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Well, here it is, folks: the first of February has finally graced us with its presence, and that means you’ve survived all 4,824 days of January, you little rockstar. I’m fond of February, actually – not only is it a petite month, a calendrical hors d’oeuvres, it’s also the final month of preparation before the British eventing season gets underway, and so it’s the point at which all those canter sets and chilly days out to local jumping shows feel doubly valuable. On a non-horsey note, it’s also Black History Month in the US, and while all of us here at EN are firm in our stance that Black history should be celebrated year-round, I do really enjoy deep-diving into all the fascinating content that comes out at this time of year and learning more about the world and culture around me. In honour of that, we’re going to be celebrating the ideas, insights, and contributions of Black equestrians in all of our News & Notes round-ups this month, and with bonus content across the site, too. A huge part of allyship is taking the time to learn and sit with your newfound knowledge, and we can’t wait for you to join us on this ongoing journey!

Events Opening Today: Pine Top Spring H.T., Copper Meadows Eventing, LLC H.T., Ocala Winter II H.T.

Events Closing Today: Stable View Young Event Horse Qualifier, Jumping Branch Farm H.T., Rocking Horse Winter II Advanced H.T., Ram Tap Horse Park H.T.

Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:

Often, when you begin a conversation about the lack of coverage of Black equestrian accomplishments, the pushback you’ll hear is that “there just aren’t that many Black people who ride horses.” But we all know that’s not the case – instead, there’s been a long and complex history of erasure in our sport, and it’s one we need to acknowledge before we can build a better, more equitable industry. Author Katherine Mooney sat down with NPR’s Ailsa Chang to discuss this erasure – listen along or read the transcript to find out what she had to say on the matter.

The busy bees at EquiRatings have released their latest metric, and this one’s all about keeping us safe in the saddle. The Horse Form Index (HFI) has been developed in conjunction with the FEI, gives out grades to riders depending on their record, allowing competitors to look beyond whether they’re qualified for a move-up and instead assess whether they’re ready to safely take that step.

In the aftermath of the Second World War, philosophers and artists waxed lyrical about the state of the human condition. Now, in the aftermath of the golden age that spanned through the 1990s and into the early part of the millennium, folks in our industry use their brainpower to ponder the state of US eventing. What’s it getting wrong? What’s it getting right? And at this undeniable crossroads, which turn should we be taking? One person who’s well-situated to consider these questions is Liz Halliday-Sharp, who split the last two decades of her career between the US and the UK, and now resides full time in the States. Her debut column for Sidelines proposes the notion that none of us are focusing enough on the great things we’ve got going for us in the US eventing scene – and as we sprint headlong into a major period of change and rebuilding, I think there’s something to be said for that viewpoint.

Anxiety is a real you-know-what. So many of my friends have been caught up in its clammy little clutches recently, and it’s an insidious thing that seeps into every part of your life unless you get some robust coping mechanisms in place (and we totally recommend seeking help for this, by the way – no man is an island and all that!). This insightful piece shares one rider’s experience of saddling up despite a misbehaving brain.

The USEA Interscholastic Eventing League is back for its sophomore year – and its calendar of team challenge events has just been released! Get those planners out, gang.

Listen to This: The gang at the USEA Podcast are back for the first time in 2022, and they’ve got lots to discuss, from the upcoming ICP Symposium, the year’s 5* calendar, and new developments in safety science. Listen here!

 

Video Break:

Enjoy a history lesson with this look back at the formation of the iconic Badminton Horse Trials. No, you’ve got butterflies.

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

By on Jan 31, 2022 6:55 am -

 

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Huge congratulations to Irish eventer Camilla Speirs and her partner, show jumper Ethen Ahearne, who welcomed their first child, baby Tilly (great name), into the world on January 19th. We’re not sure which discipline baby Tilly will end up choosing when she’s older, but we’re ready and waiting to coax her over to the fun side. One of us! One of us!

National Holiday: It’s National Hot Chocolate Day. Bonus points if you add a dash of amaretto.

US Weekend Action:

Rocking Horse Winter I H.T. (Altoona, Fl.): [Website] [Results]

Full Gallop Farm January H.T. (Aiken, Sc.): [Website] [Results]

Your Monday Reading List:

A new leading rider prize from Animalintex, awarded to the rider who accrues the most points throughout the event, will be among the prize pot on offer at this spring’s Thoresby International Horse Trials. The new British fixture, which got a trial run as the temporary home of the British Young Horse Championships last season, replaces the much-loved international season opener at Belton House, which closed its doors to eventing after the 2019 renewal of the event.

Speaking of Britain and its horses, an official update has been made to the Highway Code, which should make a major difference for riders hacking on roads. Though common sense has always dictated a ‘pass wide and slow’ approach to cars and horses, the new rule adds in some specificity – cars will need to leave a 2 meter gap and pass at no more than 10mph. With four horse deaths already recorded on British roads in 2022, this modification is widely welcomed.

Half my friends are in sunny Ocala at the moment (and, okay, I do feel a little bit smug that the state has seen record low temps this month!), while the rest of us are here just trying to survive the worst of the winter weather. I’ll be real with you: I’m feeling a wee bit better about the gale blowing outside while I sit here with a steaming cuppa, reading about a serious set of winter woes.

Mind you, if you’re having a similar winter to the one depicted in the above blog, you might have been considering heating your horses’ water troughs. But how can you do so safely, without risking a rogue electrical current? Here’s everything you need to know.

Finally, if your coping mechanism is simply a bit of escapism, join dressage rider Kasey Cannon as she embarks on the trip of a lifetime to train in Germany. Though I must tell you that I was in Germany just last week, and it’s not warm there, either.

The FutureTrack Follow:

 

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Okay, okay, I know you’re all already following British team gold medallist Laura Collett. But in case you missed her recent hunting excursions with youngster Moonlight Charmer, they’re so worth revisiting – and her write-up in Horse&Hound is super stuff, too. (By the by, if you’re hankering after some H&H in the US, you can find it on the Readly app – you’re welcome!)

Morning Viewing:

How great is it to see Will Coleman and Off The Record back in the ring for the first time since that incredible Aachen win in September? They popped around the 1.35m at Split Rock like it ain’t no thang – what a way to start the year!