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Tina Cook and Pippa Funnell to Host Masterclass at London International Horse Show

By on Oct 18, 2023 12:48 pm -

The London International Horse Show has announced a new addition to the LeMieux Masterclass series starring top event riders Pippa Funnell MBE and Tina Cook. Set to take centre stage on Friday 15 December, Perfect Partnerships with Pippa and Tina will pool the knowledge the pair have collected over three decades of riding at the top level of sport, discussing their relationships with both human and equine teammates.

Taking place in the New Horizon Plastics London Arena, Perfect Partnerships with Pippa and Tina is an hour-long lesson in developing those vital connections that produce results at all levels. “It’s all about building that friendship with your horse or pony,” says Pippa, “To which we all know there are no shortcuts – but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring!” Tina and Pippa will put together a range of exercises, suitable for the audience to go home and try at home, which will develop horse and rider partnerships both mentally and gymnastically. “We’ve both produced horses from the ground up,” continues Pippa, “We’ve both produced youngsters, and we’ve both produced horses who don’t necessarily have the ‘whole package’ – but this Masterclass is all about working with what you have; emphasising the natural talents and supporting those areas where a horse and rider might be weaker, to create that perfect partnership for enjoyment and success.”

Both Pippa and Tina have not only had success at the highest level of eventing, but also in training showjumping and event horses and mentoring winning young riders. Starting with a mix of flatwork and pole work the masterclass will pay special attention to establishing self-discipline and the basic techniques which are the basis of any good partnership, with Pippa and Tina’s trademark light-hearted flair. “It’s all got to be fun – for both horse and rider,” says Pippa. “That’s what creates the best partnerships – when both we and our four-legged friends are enjoying ourselves!” Following this, Pippa and Tina will put together the techniques they have covered to show the audience the final product, before the audience will have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have.

Perfect Partnerships with Pippa and Tina is the latest in the LeMieux Masterclass Series, which runs throughout the week of the London International and covers topics from dressage and jumping, eventing, driving and natural horsemanship – all based in the New Horizon Plastics London Arena in the Shopping Village. An informative, exciting mix of masterclasses feature top riders such as Laura Collett, Yasmin Ingham, Richard Davison, Gareth Hughes, Dan Naprous, and more.

Tickets to see Pippa Funnell and Tina Cook at the London International Horse Show are available to buy here.

Knockemdown Crowned 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover Champion

By on Oct 15, 2023 9:46 am -
L-R: Erin Halliwell, executive director of TCA; Kirsten Green, executive director of RRP; Alison O'Dwyer and Knockemdown. L-R: Erin Halliwell, executive director of TCA; Kirsten Green, executive director of RRP; Alison O'Dwyer and Knockemdown.

The Finale Championship of the Retired Racehorse Project’s 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, welcomed the five top-placed horses after two days of preliminary competition to compete for additional honors and $100,000 in prize money before an enthusiastic crowd and a worldwide audience watching via livestream. A panel of judges watched the entire day of competition and ranked the ten discipline winners to determine the overall Thoroughbred Makeover Champion, sponsored by Churchill Downs. When the points were tallied, the honor went to Knockemdown, trained by professional Alison O’Dwyer of Lake Worth, Florida.

Knockemdown is a 2019 gelding by American Pharoah out of Ancient Goddess (FR), by Iffraaj (GB), bred in Kentucky by Fifth Avenue Bloodstock. He is unraced, but posted his most recent timed work in racing training on December 27, 2021 at Turfway Park.

Knockemdown’s route to the Thoroughbred Makeover Champion title and the Carolyn Karlson Trophy took him through Dressage, scoring above 81 other entries to top the preliminary standings. Coming into the Finale on a clean slate, O’Dwyer had the opportunity to showcase more advanced maneuvers of the discipline that is often used as a foundation of training for all equestrian sports, and her decision to showcase the young Knockemdown’s introductory lateral movements and counter-canter put them to the top of the standings for the Finale round as well.

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

“I want to thank Kristen Goncharoff at e5 Racing Thoroughbreds for making the phone call, and Bob [Edwards], the leader of e5, who was looking to rehome this horse,” says O’Dwyer. “Wesley Ward had him in training at Turfway and when he didn’t think much of him, they decided to cut his career short as a two-year-old. I’m thankful for the friendships that I’ve made that trusted me with this horse – Kristen loved this horse as a foal and there was something about his personality and his eye that really spoke to her.”

O’Dwyer admits that she wasn’t quite as smitten with Knockemdown on initial appearance, as she typically takes bigger, flashier horses in for resale, and Knockemdown is a 15.2 bay with no markings – but once she took her first ride on the young horse, her opinion changed. “It felt like putting a shoe that’s the perfect size,” she describes. “It was a Cinderella moment from the first ride. He’s the right size for me, he’s the right brain – he’s the right everything. It is extra special that he is appreciated here as much as I appreciate him myself.”

The People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Achieve Equine, was determined by text-in popular vote open to both in-person and live stream attendees. This award was given to Arklow, trained by Gina Gans, the winner of Field Hunter. Arklow (Arch – Unbridled Empire, by Empire Maker) is a 2014 gelding bred in Kentucky by John R. Penn and Frank Penn; he sold as a yearling for $160,000 at Keeneland September consigned by Penn Sales. He raced for Donegal Racing and Joseph Bulger in a remarkable career that spanned seven seasons, racking up multiple graded stakes wins, three attempts at the Breeders’ Cup Turf, and over $3 million in earnings. He won the Field Hunter discipline in both preliminary and Finale rounds.

L-R: Arklow and Gina Gans; Kirsten Green, executive director of the RRP; Erin Halliwell, executive director of TCA.

Thoroughbred Makeover Finale Discipline Winners (in order of go):
Eventing, sponsored by Phoenix Performance Products: Smokeonthehorizon and Jhett Jenkins (professional)
Show Jumper, sponsored by Excel Equine: Limonata and Claudia Dollinger (professional)
Show Hunter, sponsored by Beyond the Wire: Mission Canyon and Chris Bennings
Field Hunter, sponsored by Masters of Foxhounds Association: Arklow and Gina Gans (amateur)
Dressage, sponsored by PTHA’s Turning For Home: Knockemdown and Alison O’Dwyer (professional)
Polo, sponsored by United States Polo Association: Phlox and Buck Schott (professional)
Freestyle, sponsored by New Start: Burl and Hamby’s Rockin H Ranch (team)
Barrel Racing, sponsored by SmartPak: Balboas Smile and Kaitlyn Aitken (professional)
Competitive Trail, sponsored by Godolphin: Adios Dee Dee and Haley Castleberry (amateur)
Ranch Work, sponsored by Triple Crown Feeds: Into Magarayquaza and Amber Jacobson (professional)

Find full results here.

Preliminary Competition Concludes at the 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium

By on Oct 13, 2023 3:00 pm -


Preliminary competition in all ten offered disciplines at the 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, is now complete, giving us our winners who will be honored at tomorrow evening’s Awards Party as well as the top five in each discipline who will proceed now to the Finale Championships on Saturday.

Horses will compete in Saturday’s Finale on a clean slate score, with winners of each discipline eligible to be named the Thoroughbred Makeover Champion by a panel of judges from all disciplines. Friday night’s Awards Party will honor preliminary round discipline winners, as well as first place in juniors, amateurs and teams. Additionally, special awards, sponsored by various breeder and aftercare organizations as well as individuals, will be awarded based on preliminary placings.

Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) Western and Central Dressage Championships began turning over into Makeover competition spaces today, with competition in those classes continuing through Saturday.

Additional activities on Thursday included the Barrels & Brews event, sponsored by 1/ST Racing, which invited all attendees to grab a beer from West Sixth Brewery and enjoy the crowning of the T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championship winners. This afternoon’s seminar, sponsored by Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, invited attendees to get hands-on with body condition scoring, featuring Dr. David Alexander of Rood & Riddle. Refreshments were sponsored by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.

Let’s get to know our preliminary round winners. Full results and scores for each round can be found at TheRRP.org/makeover-results.

Barrel Racing: Dance Money and Lauren Clark (Professional)

Majestic Harbor – Cactusa, by Cactus Ridge

2018 mare bred in Indiana by Anthony Wolfe & Julie Mudman

22-2-2-1, $77,934 in earnings

Lauren Clark did not plan to compete in the Thoroughbred Makeover when she purchased Dance Money: her mother had just purchased Saint Commissaire and encouraged her to come out and take a look at a mare available. Once Clark saw Dance Money, she had to have her, and over the winter, she looked into the Thoroughbred Makeover, realized both horses were eligible, and decided to get involved, anticipating it would be a bucket list event. Clark scored in the middle of the pack in the horsemanship test, but ran two smooth, fast runs both nights to move into the lead.

“I thought I was going to end up behind, but I did my research on previous winners and their training methods,” said Clark. “I did slow work until the end of August. It felt like I was going to be rushed, but I knew I was on the right track with these horses.”


Competitive Trail: Adios Dee Dee and Haley Castleberry (Amateur)

Adios Charlie – Queen of Style, by Suave
2018 mare bred in Florida by Bob Carlson

8-1-1-0, $17,782 in earnings

Haley Castleberry’s primary discipline of choice at the Thoroughbred Makeover this year with Adios Dee Dee was show jumper (in which she finished seventh in preliminary competition). Competitive trail may have been a secondary goal, but that didn’t stop Castleberry from preparing just as hard for that discipline as for show jumper. Castleberry credits her method of preparation as well as Adios Dee Dee’s excellent mind.

“My plan was to get her out as much as I could,” said Castleberry. “I have two kids and I work, so every opportunity I had to get her out, I took it. I also made a lot of obstacles at home. Once she got something, I never had to ask again – she got everything very quickly. I work with a trainer for the show jumping, but to prep for Competitive Trail, I just looked at as many videos as I could find from past Makeovers to see what she would be faced with, and got her as ready as I could. I wanted to come as prepared as I could be, and did what I could with the time and the finances that I had.”

Dressage: Knockemdown and Alison O’Dwyer (Professional)

American Pharoah – Ancient Goddess (FR), by Iffraaj (GB)

2019 gelding bred in Kentucky by Fifth Avenue Bloodstock

Unraced

As a professional, Alison O’Dwyer tends to seek a particular type of horse for eventual resale: big, flashy horses with eye-catching movement that work well in the dressage ring. Knockemdown doesn’t check any of those boxes: she describes him as a fairly small, fairly plain bay gelding. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his own unique strengths for the dressage arena.

“He’s definitely naturally uphill, but he’s not a big mover,” said O’Dwyer. His first test, the judge’s comment said ‘he needs to cover more ground,’ but if you come after him with your leg, he wants to come up and ball up. He doesn’t have the most visually impressive trot. But because he’s so short backed and small, he’s very maneuverable. You have time to prepare for movements. That what makes him really fun – you can be so accurate. That can be a huge scoring advantage.”

Eventing: Smokeonthehorizon and Jhett Jenkins (Professional)

Mizzen Mast – Jersey Tango, by Jersey Town

2019 gelding bred in Minnesota by Pam Davis

3-0-0-0, $685 in earnings

The Thoroughbred Makeover is not the only major show on Jhett Jenkins’ calendar for Smokeonthehorizon: if all goes well, this pair will be headed to the Young Event Horse Championships at Fair Hill in Maryland next weekend. Jenkins is quick to credit the horse’s progress to his easy trainability and his strong conformation.

“I rode him for the first time off the track in February,” said Jenkins. “He came to his owner Dionne Benson in October and had a bit of downtime first. Right off the bat, he’s been a really agreeable, trainable horse and I’ve really had a lot of fun with him. We went down for two weeks in Florida and got a head start to our season by doing our first event down there with just a month and a half of retraining. He’s been out quite a few times now in the area and has really taken to the eventing – lovely on the flat, and I think he’s a really neat horse.”

Field Hunter: Arklow and Gina Gans (Amateur)

Arch – Unbridled Empire, by Empire Maker

2014 gelding bred in Kentucky by John R. Penn & Frank Penn

39-9-9-2, $3,025,996 in earnings

Multiple graded stakes winner

Three-time Breeders’ Cup participant

Arklow is already one of the most accomplished horses competing at the 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover: he has earned over $3 million in a racing career that included multiple graded stakes wins and three runs in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Now, he’s adding another achievement to his resume: winning the Field Hunter preliminary round under amateur rider Gina Gans, after turning in three relaxed rides over two days of competition.

“He’s just so fun,” said Gans. “When we had the big gallop up the hill today [in the Mock Hunt], he really took a big hold of me… but when we got to the top of the hill, he stopped in the check and just looked around. I think that’s really hard for a lot of Thoroughbreds to be able to turn it on and switch it off – you show him something and he gets it and he’s calm and cool. The biggest difference is the brain on him. His brain being so good makes such a difference – he could do anything.”

Freestyle: Burl and Hamby’s Rockin’ H Ranch (Team)

Daaher – Happy Henrietta, by Supremo

2017 gelding bred in Illinois by Barr Three LLC, Cherrywood Racing II & Oak Rock Racing LLC

6-1-1-2, $26,530 in earnings

Hamby’s Rockin’ H Ranch team is headed by Monique Cameron, no stranger to the winner’s circle in Freestyle after winning both preliminary and Finale honors in the discipline last year with her memorable Wizard of Oz-themed routine. This year, the team has nonetheless raised the bar with a firefighting-themed routine with props including dragging weight and a smoke machine. Cameron credits some unique training opportunities with some of Burl’s success.

“He’s got 20 hours of police training – so he’s been through actual fire and smoke. He’s gotten a certification for mounted police training!” said Cameron. “He’s just a solid citizen. He’s a super horse. He also went and show in the [T.I.P.] western pleasure today and we’ll do ranch work later this week; he does trail, he jumps and he drags. Everything we did in our routine today was a practical skill – he can drag heavy things, he can carry a dog which means he can carry a calf. His owner Joe Kirby is looking forward to bringing him back as a T.I.P. horse.”

Polo: Phlox and Buck Schott (Professional)

Dolphus – Cacahuatita, by Old Fashioned

2020 filly bred in Pennsylvania by Dede McGehee

3-0-0-1, $5,150 in earnings

Buck Schott might be accustomed to polo success at the Thoroughbred Makeover, a multiple-time winner of this discipline. But this might be the filly that he’s had the most confidence in throughout his personal history with the event – despite not having as much time to dedicate to her training due to a busy traveling schedule.

“I got her last year right before we went to Florida in November,” Schott said. “I took her to Florida but then I traveled back and forth a lot, so she didn’t get a lot of riding in the winter. Summer has been super busy too, but she’s just an awesome horse with a great brain – probably up for any discipline thrown her way. She’s super relaxed when you want her to be; you can ride her in a halter and just do anything on the farm. Of all the horses I’ve entered in the Makeover, this felt like the most ready-to-win horse – she’s put together and she felt like she wouldn’t have a moment where she wouldn’t do what I wanted or needed.”

Ranch Work: Into Magarayquaza and Amber Jacobson (Professional)

Into Mischief – Boss Barney’s Babe, by Street Boss

2017 gelding bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, LLC

12-0-0-0, $2,468 in earnings

Amber Jacobson is among the furthest traveled to get to the 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover: she traveled all the way from Longview, Alberta on a 36-hour drive back to the state where Into Magarayquaza was born. Jacobson’s last trip to the Makeover included winning the Ranch Work Finale Championship with her own homebred Silence Is Awesome, but this trip is especially meaningful: she’s prepared Into Magarayquaza to be a true working ranch horse, competing him in ranch rodeos, three-man doctoring events, and lots of ranch work including a 33-mile cattle drive with doctoring.

“I’ve gone from not being a ranch hand or not even showing horses myself four and a half years ago to winning with a horse that I completely trained myself in ranch work. He’s a true ranch horse and I think that is really cool. I want to thank Ashley Francese for connecting me with ‘Quinn’ and WinStar for breeding me a winner!”

Show Hunter: Mission Canyon and Chris Bennings (Professional)

Uncle Mo – Dreamy Maiden, by Meadowlake

2017 gelding bred in Kentucky by Sierra Farm

3-0-2-0, $8,325 in earnings

Chris Bennings followed his usual approach with preparing his Makeover horses: light riding over the winter and scaling up in training and competing over the spring and summer to prepare for the competition. This year was a bit different, however, as Bennings felt a somewhat unusual lack of confidence until a few weeks before the Makeover.

“Up until about three weeks ago I was not very confident in anything – but then it all clicked, he got really soft, he got straight, and it all came together,” said Bennings. “I’d taken him to school a few times at local shows and he just hadn’t really been ready to show until now. He is short necked and short coupled, and he can have a big buck on him – he’s got the best personality but also has a bit of an attitude. He’s really just a real character. He loves being at the Horse Park and he thrives on the energy here.”


Show Jumper: Limonata and Claudia Dollinger (Professional)

Lemon Drop Kid – Ainda Melhor (BRZ), by Elusive Quality

2018 mare bred in Kentucky by Bonne Chance Farm, LLC

29-3-3-5, $48,407 in earnings

Claudia Dollinger wasn’t sure that the 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover was in the cards for her: the two horses she was trying to bring to the event weren’t great matches nor felt that they would be ready for the ten-month retraining timeline. She connected with trainer David Boyer, who had sold her past Makeover mounts, and who suggested he come take a look at another horse he thought she would be interested in. At their first meeting, Limonata actually kicked Dollinger, but she liked what she saw and brought her home anyway.

“She was a little sore behind and needed some time off, but once I got her going, she picked up jumping so fast and she seems like she really loves it,” said Dollinger. “She is one of the sweetest, easiest horses I’ve ever had – I’ve had little kids ride her for lessons. I would love to keep her, but she is the kind of horse who could easily go on to a junior or amateur to continue.”

Thoroughbred Incentive Program Barrel Racing Championships at Thoroughbred Makeover

The Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) Barrel Racing Championships returned to the Thoroughbred Makeover, running concurrently with the Makeover Barrel Racing discipline. Makeover entrants had the option to enter the Championships and roll their times for both standings. T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championships awarded fast times both Wednesday and Thursday evenings in a 4D format, crowning overall 4D average champions this evening at the conclusion of the second round.

Junior rider Rowan Hughes of Bell, FL cruised to a clear victory in the 1D average with last year’s 1D average champion and 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover graduate Whiskey Terms (Connecting Terms – My Doctor Knows, by My Friend Max). Owned by Liz Howell, Whiskey Terms made 13 starts and never broke his maiden, retiring with $6,100 in earnings. He was bred in Louisiana by Joseph Dauphine and last raced for owner Shellie Duhon under trainer Benjamin Zeno.

Hughes had been intending to compete at T.I.P. Championships with her own 2022 Makeover graduate mare, but when she needed colic surgery, Howell offered Hughes the ride on Whiskey Terms. “I was lucky enough to get to ride the champ!” said Hughes. “He pulled it out of the bag again. The past few months we’ve been doing local jackpot shows and just really trying to run as muich as we can. He knows his job but I needed to figure out his buttons and getting used to him. I’ve never run a horse as well-seasoned and well-trained as him.”

Ros Canter and Sarah Charnley Among Nominees for FEI Awards

By on Oct 11, 2023 10:35 am -

Newly crowned European Champion Ros Canter enjoys the epic highs. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The eagerly anticipated FEI Awards 2023 have revealed exciting changes as online voting opens today for the Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete, Longines FEI Rising Star, Cavalor FEI Best Groom and Pivo FEI Inspire Awards.

Followers of the annual event, will no doubt notice that this year’s edition features just four categories, with the introduction of the Pivo FEI Inspire Award, uniting elements from the FEI Solidarity Award and the FEI Against All Odds Award. As the name suggests, the Award has been designed to showcase the incredible spirit and determination of individuals who serve as role models and show that anything is possible.

The FEI Inspire Award also proudly welcomes sponsor, Pivo, who became the FEI’s Official Technology Training Partner earlier this year. Pivo’s support stands alongside long-time sponsors Longines, Cavalor, and Peden Bloodstock.

The nominees in the Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete category, include Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat, fresh from a triumphant victory at the FEI Jumping European Championship in Milano (ITA), and Germany’s Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl, an undisputed powerhouse in Dressage, who has a series of gold medals to her name including a double gold at the FEI Dressage European Championship 2023 in Riesenbeck (GER). They are joined by Eventing’s Rosalind (Ros) Canter of Great Britain, who is currently ranked #2 and boasts an impressive list of wins in 2023, including the prestigious CCI5* Badminton title, and double gold at the FEI Eventing European Championship in Haras du Pin (FRA). Rounding off the list is Driving’s Marijke Hammink from the Netherlands, who holds the top position in the FEI Driving World Ranking Pony Four-in-Hand, and had an exceptional year with 11 consecutive wins throughout the season, including individual and team gold at the FEI Driving World Championship for Ponies four-in-hand in Oirschot (NED).

Celebrating the unsung behind-the-scenes heroes, the Cavalor FEI Best Groomcategory includes Steve Guerdat’s groom Emma Uusi-Simola (FIN) and Sarah Charnley (GBR) who grooms for Ros Canter. Also in the running are Danny Ingratta, a devoted groom at Millar Brooke Farm (CAN), and Sofia Flodin (SWE), who is responsible for the well-being of Dressage star Mathias Rath’s (GER) horses.

The Longines FEI Rising Star category, which spotlights young talents who have already left their mark on the equestrian landscape, includes 21-year-old Christian Simonson from the USA who has made waves in Dressage this year, and Endurance’s Rodrigo Storani Saliba of Brazil, who at 20 years old is already proving himself a force to be reckoned with. Another 20-year-old, Vaulting sensation Quentin Jabet (FRA) and USA’s Mimi Gochman, a 19-year-old Jumping prodigy have also made it to the final list of nominees.

Among the nominees for the new Pivo FEI Inspire category is Valeria Bonfiglio (ITA) who proves that passion and determination are not a number. At age 54, Bonfiglio entered her first Endurance event, and then took her first top placement in a 160km ride at 57. She is joined be Jennie Sharpe (GBR) who defied medical expectations after being diagnosed with cauda equina syndrome, and made a triumphant return to the saddle despite physical challenges. Completing the list of nominees is plane crash survivor Federico Fernandez Senderos from Mexico who, despite severe burns and vision impairment, competes successfully at 5* level in Jumping, and the Ukrainian Vaulting team of Polina Shovkova and Kateryna (Katya) Panasenko who fulfilled their dreams of competing at the FEI Vaulting World Championship for Juniors despite the war raging in their country.

The public have until 22 October to cast their vote for the 16 shortlisted candidates from 13 countries.

Established in 2009, the FEI Awards celebrate individuals and organisations that are making an outstanding contribution to the progress and excellence of equestrian sport, both in and outside the arena.

The lucky winners will be flown to the FEI Awards Gala presented by Longines in Mexico City (MEX) on 21 November.

To vote, simply click here!

The shortlisted nominees for the FEI Awards 2023 are:

Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete – paying tribute to the athlete who over the past year has demonstrated exceptional skill and taken the sport to a new level.
•    Steve Guerdat (SUI) – Jumping
•    Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl (GER) – Dressage
•    Ros Canter (GBR) – Eventing
•    Marijke Hammink (NED) – Driving

Longines FEI Rising Star – for the athlete aged 14 to 21 who demonstrates outstanding sporting talent and commitment.
•    Christian Simonson (USA) – Dressage
•    Rodrigo Storani Saliba (BRA) – Endurance
•    Quentin Jabet (FRA) – Vaulting
•    Mimi Gochman (USA) – Jumping

Cavalor FEI Best Groom – for the behind-the-scenes hero who ensures the horses they look after are given the best possible care.
•    Danny Ingratta (CAN) – Jumping groom at Millar Brooke Farm (CAN) (Ian & Amy Miller)
•    Sarah Charnley (GBR) – Eventing groom for Rosalind (Ros) Canter (GBR)
•    Emma Uusi-Simola (FIN) – Jumping groom for Steve Guerdat (SUI)
•    Sofia Flodin (SWE) – Dressage groom for Mathias Rath (GER)

Pivo FEI Inspire – For an individual who has pursued their equestrian ambition in an inspiring way and serves as a role model to show that everything is possible, and that even when faced with challenges, you should never stop believing in your dreams.
•    Valeria Bonfiglio (ITA) – Endurance athlete – Passionate Motivator
•    Jennie Sharpe (GBR) – Jumping athlete with physical impairment – Resilience Champion
•    Federico Fernandez Senderos (MEX) – Ultimate Survivor
•    Ukrainian Vaulting team of Polina Shovkova and Kateryna (Katya) Panasenko – Youth Sport Advocates

The winners will be decided through a system in which 50% of the public’s vote via FEI.org and on the Chinese social media platform WeChat, and 50% of the judges’ vote will be combined to give the final result. The seven expert judges are as follows:

•    Ingmar De Vos – FEI President & Chair of the Judges Panel
•    Bernardo Tribolet – Vice President Marketing Longines
•    Martin Atock – Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award Title Sponsor
•    Peter Bollen – Cavalor FEI Best Groom Award Title Sponsor
•    Daniela Garcia Nigaglioni – Secretary General of the Pan American Equestrian Confederation
•    Jessica Kürten – Chair of the Athletes Committee and member of the FEI Board
•    Diane Smith – FEI Solidarity Award winner 2022

Biographies for all the Judges can be found here.

Oliver Townend Soars to the Top of FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings; Boyd Martin Moves to 3rd

By on Oct 7, 2023 9:30 am -

Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class add another five-star win to their record. Photo by Libby Law.

British athlete Oliver Townend has claimed the top spot in the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings with 504 points. A spot he takes from his fellow countrywoman, Rosalind Canter, who held the coveted position for just one month.

Townend’s ascent to the summit of the rankings comes as no surprise for the Olympic gold medalist, who previously held the world’s number one ranking over a year ago. He temporarily relinquished his position to New Zealand’s Tim Price, who enjoyed an 11-month reign before being surpassed by Canter.

“It is and always will be an honour to be at number one in your sport and it’s great to be back in that spot. The horses are incredible – they’re improving every day, have been so consistent and will always be my ultimate team mates. I also want to thank the massive amount of people behind me that make this happen, including the team at both yards”, Townend explained.

Townend’s career has seen him hold the top position in the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings for a total of 50 months, with a streak of 37 consecutive months at number one.

Rosalind Canter now stands at second place with 467 points, while American athlete Boyd Martin has made a remarkable jump from eighth to third place with 436 points. Meanwhile, Tim Price (NZL) continues to slip in the rankings, currently occupying the fourth spot with 434 points, closely followed by Tom McEwen (GBR) in fifth place with 431 points.

Great Britain’s stronghold in the top end of the Rankings is unequivocal, with three out of the top five in British hands, they also have back up and can count on Harry Meade (408 points), David Doel (393 points), William Oakden (383 points), and Laura Collet (371 points) in 6th to 9th respectively, making that a total of seven British athletes within the Top 10 rankings! Coming in tenth place is USA athlete Philipp Dutton with 367 points.

See the full ranking list here

USEA Names Athletes For January 2024 EA21 National Camp

By on Oct 4, 2023 9:30 am -

Caitlin O’Roark jumps at the East Coast I regional EA21 clinic. USEA/Lindsay Berreth photo

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is proud to announce the selected Young Rider athletes for the Emerging Athletes U21 Program (EA21) national camp, now that the EA21 regional clinics have concluded. Twelve riders were accepted into each of the five regional EA21 clinics, taught by USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) instructors, and now riders have been selected from the regional clinics to participate in the EA21 national camp this winter.

The five EA21 regional clinics that took place were: East Coast I at Morven Park International Equestrian Center (Leesburg, Virginia), coached by Shannon Lilley; East Coast II at Stable View Farm (Aiken, South Carolina), coached by Emily Beshear; Central at Holly Hill Farm (Benton, Louisiana), coached by Rebecca Braitling; West Coast I at Aspen Farms (Yelm, Washington), coached by Rebecca Brown; and West Coast II at Twin Rivers Ranch (Paso Robles, California), also coached by Rebecca Brown.

The USEA’s EA21 Task Force has approved 18 USEA EA21 Young Riders for the program’s second year of the EA21 national camp. Each of these Young Rider athletes were selected to participate in one of the five regional EA21 clinics, and have now been selected to attend the national camp with EA21 Director of Coaching, David O’Connor. The athletes invited to attend the national camp are listed below, in alphabetical order:

  • Camryn Chung (Central regional clinic)
  • Julia Beauchamp Crandon (Twin Rivers regional clinic)
  • Molly Duda (Twin Rivers regional clinic)
  • Kayla Dumler (Aspen Farms regional clinic)
  • Sara Ertl (Stable View regional clinic)
  • Emeline Gilbert (Morven Park regional clinic)
  • Kiersten Miller (Stable View regional clinic)
  • Tate Northrop (Stable View regional clinic)
  • Audrey Ogan (Morven Park regional clinic)
  • Caitlin O’Roark (Morven Park regional clinic)
  • Harper Padgett (Aspen Farms regional clinic)
  • Alina Patterson (Stable View regional clinic)
  • Camdyn Rahe (Central regional clinic)
  • Maia Ramberg (Morven Park regional clinic)
  • Kelsey Seidel (Central regional clinic)
  • Braden Speck (Morven Park regional clinic)
  • Annabelle Sprague (Morven Park regional clinic)
  • Elsa Warble (Twin Rivers regional clinic)

The EA21 Task Force put together a wait list for this year’s national camp in the case an athlete must withdraw. The Selection Task Force felt that the below athletes were prepared for the national camp level, and if an athlete from the national camp withdraws, then their spot will be filled with the first ranked athlete from the waitlist from the same respective clinic, as noted:

Twin Rivers Clinic Alternates:

  • Lauren Crabtree
  • Sarah Ross

Aspen Farms Clinic Alternate:

  • Alexis Larson

Morven Park Clinic Alternates:

  • Rebecca Roth
  • Ayden Schain
  • Samantha Homeyer

Stable View Clinic Alternates:

  • Madison Blodgett
  • Breeanna Robinette
  • Katarina Midgley

Central Clinic Alternates:

  • Katherine Hyndman
  • Vienna Allport

The EA21 national camp will take place in Temecula, California, across Tuesday-Saturday, Jan. 2-6, 2024, and will be taught by David O’Connor. Special guest speakers will also be on-site for this educational camp. The venue will be announced in the coming weeks, and catch ride horses may be available to riders traveling from significant distances.

All invited Young Riders will be responsible for their own travel and accommodations for the EA21 national camp, but the USEA will cover all clinic, coaching, and stabling fees.

The USEA would like to thank the five venues for hosting the inaugural EA21 regional clinics (Morven Park, Stable View, Holly Hill Farm, Twin Rivers Ranch, Aspen Farms), and for their wonderful hospitality.

For questions regarding the Emerging Athlete 21 Program, please email Kate Lokey at [email protected]. For questions regarding the selection procedures, please contact the EA21 Task Force Chairs.

About the USEA Emerging Athlete U21 Program (EA21)

The purpose of the USEA Emerging Athletes U21 Program (EA21) is to identify and provide consistent quality instruction to the next generation of elite event riders. The aim is to create a pipeline for potential team riders by identifying and developing young talent, improving horsemanship and riding skills, and training and improving skills and consistency.

The USEA Emerging Athletes U21 Program was launched in 2022 with a model of five summertime regional clinics taught by selected USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) instructors, leading to a winter national camp consisting of selected Young Riders from the regional clinics. Athletes who are 21 years or younger, are current members of their USEA Young Rider Area program, and are established at the Training Level or higher, are eligible to apply for the EA21 program. Click here to learn more about the USEA EA21 Program.

The USEA would like to thank Kerrits, Sidelines Magazine and WeRideTogether for sponsoring the USEA Emerging Athletes U21 Program.

China Leads the Individual and Team Eventing at the Hangzhou Asian Games

By on Oct 1, 2023 1:50 pm -
Kenta Hiranaga of Japan riding Duke of Sussex competes on cross country during the 19th Asian Games at Tonglu Equestrian Center on October 1, 2023, in Hangzhou, China. Copyright ©FEI/Yong Teck Lim. Kenta Hiranaga of Japan riding Duke of Sussex competes on cross country during the 19th Asian Games at Tonglu Equestrian Center on October 1, 2023, in Hangzhou, China. Copyright ©FEI/Yong Teck Lim.

Team China remains in the lead following the cross country element of the Eventing competition at the Hangzhou Asian Games. China’s Alex Hua Tian leads the individual competition with 27, just 0.9 less than Thailand’s Korntawat Samran who sits in second.

The Chinese Team, made up of Ruiji Liang, Yingfeng Bao, Huadong Sun and Alex Hua Tian, put in a strong dressage performance to give the team a score of 85.20, putting them firmly in the lead after the dressage phase on September 30.

Following the cross country, just a few penalties were added to the team’s score with them finishing day two on 86.80. Bao, Sun, and Hua Tian remain on their dressage scores as they approach the final jumping phase on October 2 at Tonglu Equestrian Centre.

A new leader

Alex Hua Tian of China riding Poseidons Admiral competes on cross country during the 19th Asian Games at Tonglu Equestrian Center on October 1, 2023, in Hangzhou, China. Copyright ©FEI/Yong Teck Lim.

China’s Hua Tian takes the lead in the individual eventing competition astride his 10-year-old stallion, Poseidons Admiral. Hua Tian currently holds the 52nd position in the highly competitive FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings. His equestrian journey boasts an impressive resume, having graced prestigious events such as the FEI World Equestrian Games, the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, and Hong Kong, as well as the World Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, among others.

Notably, Hua Tian’s talent shone brightly at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon and the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, where he clinched the Silver and Bronze medals, respectively, in the Individual Eventing category. A familiar face on the European Eventing circuit, where he has navigated the challenges of CCI5*-L competitions, he lives and trains in the picturesque Cheshire, UK.

Hot on the heels of Hua Tian from an individual point of view is Thai rider Korntawat Samran with Billy Elmy on 27.90. Sitting at 186th in the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings, Samran has a lot of experience at this level. This is his second Asian Games with Thailand winning bronze in Team Eventing in the previous Games in 2018 (Jakarta-Palembang) with Samran as part of the team.

Sitting in third in the individual competition is Hong Kong’s Annie Ho with Jockey Club Miss Matana on 28.30. Ho was also part of Hong Kong’s Dressage team that took bronze at Hangzhou a few days ago. Ho was part of the 2010 (Guangzhou), 2014 (Incheon) and 2018 (Jakarta-Palembang) Asian Games. Team Hong Kong took bronze at the 2014 games with Ho on the team.

Team India are out

Kazuhiro Yoshizawa of Japan riding Penny Grans competes on cross country during the 19th Asian Games at Tonglu Equestrian Center on October 1, 2023, in Hangzhou, China. Copyright ©FEI/Yong Teck Lim.


Moving over to the team event, China leads on 86.80 with 2018 team winners Japan (Kenta Hiranaga, Kazuhiro Yoshizawa, Yusuke Nakajima and Shoto Kusumoto) on 92.70 and Thailand (Supap Khaw-Ngam, Weerapat Pitakanonda, Preecha Khunjan and Kornatawat Samran) on 93.90. Hong Kong currently sits in fourth. Due to an elimination, the Indian team is now unable to participate in the team competition.

12 athletes finish on dressage scores

The cross country course at Hangzhou, designed by Germany’s Christian Zehe, is 4010 metres long with the time allowed being 7 minutes and 43 seconds. The course requires 30 efforts to complete the 22 fences and combinations. Two riders were eliminated: Japan’s Kenta Hiranaga with Duke of Sussex due to three refusals, and overnight dressage leaders Ashish Vivek Limaye with Willy Be Done. Seven other athletes picked up penalties during the cross country phase and five of these gained time penalties. Twelve athletes finished on their dressage score as they move to the last day of the competition.

The final phase…

Bao Yingfeng of China riding Newmarket Ritz competes on cross country during the 19th Asian Games at Tonglu Equestrian Center on October 1, 2023, in Hangzhou, China. Copyright ©FEI/Yong Teck Lim.


October 2 sees the final phase of the eventing competition, the jumping phase. This begins with the second horse inspection at 0800 local time. Horses that are sound and fit for competition then move to the final jumping phase that starts at 0930.

The jumping phase will see the athletes tackle a 115cm course in reverse team order including India’s riders who will go first. Although team China sit ahead with 5.90 faults separating them from Team Japan, and 7.10 between them and Team Thailand who currently sit in bronze position, there really is all to play for as we enter the final phase.

See full results here.

Little Downham CCI4*-S Springboards Tom Jackson and Kazuma Tomoto to Autumn Long-Format Aims

By on Sep 29, 2023 9:30 am -

Tom Jackson and Farndon. Photo by Tim Wilkinson.

Tom Jackson and Kazuma Tomoto reigned victorious at the Childeric Saddles Little Downham International CCI4*-S, claiming a section apiece after an action-packed day in England’s Fens.

 Japanese Olympian Kazuma made it back-to-back Little Downham 4* wins, having taken the title in 2022 with Brookpark Vikenti, riding Vinci De La Vigne to victory in Section F. The pair moved up from sixth after the dressage following a double clear, and one of the faster cross-country rounds of the day, adding just 3.2 time faults to their 31 dressage. They were followed in second place by Pippa Funnell and Billy Walk On, who clinched a confidence-affirming clear after rerouting from Blenheim, while Boekelo-bound Yasmin Ingham and Rehy DJ secured third in this section.

It was all about the Toms in CCI4*-S Section E – Tom Jackson and Tom McEwen, that is. Tied after the dressage on 25.4, Tom McEwen and Kentucky CCI5* runner-up JL Dublin edged ahead after the showjumping with a faultless round in their preparation for Pau CCI5*.  Tom Jackson’s Farndon had delivered a new personal best in the dressage but the pair were one second over the time allowed in the showjumping, picking up 0.4 of a time fault.

Jonathan Clissold’s track – which saw a 77% clear rate across the sections – is notorious for the time being influential, with only a handful of riders having achieved the optimum time at the CCI4* and Advanced level in the event’s history. Jackson and Farndon delivered the fastest round of the day, adding just 1.6 time faults to take the win ahead of McEwen and JL Dublin in second, also securing them a personal best finish at the 4* level. Piggy March and the former Nicola Wilson ride Coolparks Sarco secured third place with 7.2 time penalties en route to an end-of-season long-format run for the pair, while fourth place went the way of Bramham CCI4*-L winners Pippa Funnell and MCS Maverick. The win marked the culmination of a particularly successful couple of weeks for Jackson, who came to Little Downham after taking the CCI3*-S at South of England with Ask For Manchier, where he finished in the top seven with  all six of his mounts across the classes.

The single Advanced section went to Gaspard Maksud and his World Championship partner Zaragoza II.

“I thought it was good cross-country course,” says Gaspard. “They’ve made a bit of change compared to the last few years and it was more technical than usual I thought.  A good prep run for a person heading to Boekelo or Pau. My horse knows her job at that level now, and she’s just unbelievable cross-country.”

Little Downham’s autumn CCI4*-S plays a crucial role in the Autumn international schedule providing a pivotal run for those heading abroad for the CCI5* events in Maryland and Pau, plus the Nations Cup Final at Boekelo. The event once again attracted a world class field with six of the world’s top ten riders in attendance, including the reigning World and European Champion, plus all members of Team GBR’s Olympic Gold medal winning team.

You can find the results in full here.

New Executive Director Named for Kentucky Organizer Equestrian Events, Inc.

By on Sep 28, 2023 2:38 pm -

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum win Kentucky 2023. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The Board of Directors for Equestrian Events, Inc. is pleased to announce Erin Woodall as the new executive director of the organization. EEI is a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports through the staging of sporting events at the highest level including the Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Kentucky Invitational Grand Prix and the American Eventing Championships. EEI is based at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.

Erin Woodall will take the helm of EEI next month. Photo courtesy of EEI.

Woodall, a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education, served with the United States Pony Clubs, Inc. for over 17 years in multiple positions, most recently as the activities and events director. Additionally, she is a partner at Grit Equine, LLC, at Bryan Station Farm. Woodall’s experience includes volunteer involvement with multiple equine associations including the Kentucky Horse Council, Midsouth Eventing and Dressage Association and the Kentucky Three-Day Event.

“We are pleased to announce Erin’s appointment,” said Laura Holoubek, president of the board. “Erin will be a great addition to help move the organization and events forward and lead the talented EEI staff.”

Since its inception in 1975, EEI has proven to be a leader in equestrian sport by providing development opportunities for riders, horses and equine organizations and by elevating the competitiveness of the United States equestrian teams internationally.

“I’m thrilled to be joining EEI,” Woodall said. “I’ve been a lifelong equestrian and have many fond memories of the Kentucky Three-Day. I look forward to building upon the great foundation laid by those who came before me.”

The board wishes to thank Mike Cooper who has been serving as the interim director since February 2022. Woodall will begin her duties on October 2.

The Race to Le Lion: Gina Set to Receive 2023 Holekamp/Turner Grant

By on Sep 27, 2023 9:30 am -

Chris Talley and Gina. Photo courtesy of USEA/Meagan DeLisle.

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is pleased to announce that Gina, owned by Corwin Sport Horses, LLC, is the likely recipient of the 2023 Holekamp/Turner Grant and The Dutta Corp. prize. Gina (Gentleman x Ballerina) is a 7-year-old Hanoverian mare ridden by Chris Talley and was bred by Hartwig Von Holten in Germany. The pair aims to represent the U.S. at the 2023 FEI Eventing World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in the 7-year-old CCIYH3*-L Championship. The Championship will take place at La Mondial du Lion in Le Lion d’Angers, France, from Oct. 19-22, 2023.

The intention of the Holekamp/Turner Grant is to further develop an upward pathway for U.S. team horses in the sport of eventing. The grant recipients who are North American-bred are awarded the full cash grant of $17,500. If the winner is an imported horse, he/she will be awarded $8,000. Since Gina was imported, her team will be awarded $8,000USD. The team will also receive The Dutta Corp. prize which is one round-trip flight to Europe. The grant will be officially awarded after Gina passes the first horse inspection at the Championship in France.

Chris Talley runs his business in partnership with Hannah Salazar, owner of Zarazoga Acres. He describes the partnership as having a great team synergy who balance each other’s strengths and weaknesses. “It takes a village,” Talley said of the operation, and noted that Talley found Gina in partnership with Salazar, and one of Salazar’s loyal supporters and owners, Joan Allen.

“I have an unhealthy obsession of searching for horses online,” Talley admitted. “I go through sales ads night and day, and I stumbled upon Gina. She was at a barn in Germany, and we all [Salazar, Allen and Talley] watched her video of her at the walk, trot and canter, and then as soon as we saw her free jump down one line, it was enough to make us call and setup a vetting. This was during COVID at the end of 2020, so getting to Europe was hard to go try her in person, so we actually purchased her off the video.”

Allen owns Corwin Sport Horses, LLC, and Talley said the team feels like a family. “Joan Allen is incredible, and the most supportive owner that you could have. I absolutely adore her. We make all decisions with the best interest of the horse in mind, and she is always supportive of Hannah and I trying new things with the horses, whether it be shipping off to a dressage show, or trying something different. It can be long days, but it’s incredibly rewarding.”

The horse that has the highest score from the 2021 USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) 5-year-old Championships that is also qualified to compete in the 7-year-old Championship receives the Holekamp/Turner Grant. This is the first year in the history of the grant that the overall Champion from the YEH Championships will be the recipient of the grant. Gina won the Dutta Corp. USEA YEH East Coast Championships on an impressive 95.2, topping all scores from both the East and West Coast Championships.

If the highest-scoring YEH horse from the 2021 YEH Championships does not qualify or is unable to attend, the grant is then awarded to the next highest scorer who is qualified and able to go. For Talley, he has three fully qualified horses for La Mondial du Lion, and plans to bring two of them. Gina will compete under the Holekamp/Turner Grant after acceptance at the first horse inspection, and Talley also plans to compete his own Loughtown Cici ZA (CC Captain Clover x Castlelawn Diamond Clover), who placed in the top 20 nationwide at the 2021 USEA YEH Championships. As a backup, Talley has Lynn Berry’s Rappahannock (Rosenthal x Sunny Dey) prepared, who placed in the top 15 nationwide in 2021 and is also fully qualified for the 7-year-old Championship in France.

“I’ve heard [La Mondial du Lion] has a big atmosphere, but I think for these two horses I’m bringing, especially Gina, they like the atmosphere,” explained Talley. “[Gina] went with Hannah to Dressage at Devon [Devon, Pennsylvania], and rose to the occasion, and then won the 5-year-old YEH Championship at the Maryland 5 Star. I put a lot of pressure behind it, and with the addition of the atmosphere at Maryland, she shined under that pressure. I just need to keep my own nerves under wrap in France.

“We’ve been working all three of these horses since they were 4 years old with the goal of getting to this point,” he added. “You set out on these journeys to achieve something, and sometimes it doesn’t happen, but to have three in the grass ready to go, it’s just surreal,” stated Talley.

Winners Crowned at USEA Area VII Championships and Aspen Farms Horse Trials

By on Sep 18, 2023 11:00 am -

The USEA Area VII Championships and Aspen Farms Horse Trials concluded [this weekend] in Yelm, WA, which included the only Advanced division offered in Washington State. Over $35,000 worth of prizes were distributed to top finishers thanks to generous show sponsors.

Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14, winners of the Tin Men Supply Advanced. Photo by Cortney Drake Photography.

Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14 stayed in winning form all weekend, show jumping double clear to win the Tin Men Supply Advanced, including $2,000 in prize money. Sophie Click and Tarantino 54 were second in the division.

This was Clooney 14’s first time competing at the Advanced level. His owner, Annika Asling, recently had a baby and allowed Karen–who has ridden the horse in years past and also was rebounding from a broken foot this spring–to take on the ride.

“Annika has been so great giving me the ride,” said Karen, who was overjoyed with Clooney’s performance today. “I don’t have my own horse right now, so it’s really special.”

“The show jumping course was designed very well,” said Karen after their clear round. “It rode how we walked it. The plan worked really well. There were places if you got too far in or too far out it would be hard–that was the question presented–but if you stuck to the plan, it rode great.”

Karen and Clooney 14 aim to run a 3-star short next, and also work on fitness for a 3-star long in the near future.

In the USEA Area VII Open Intermediate Championships, Cristina Rennie and her homebred Flight of the Arabesque won on a score of 44.7. Kelsey Horn and Cleared For Take Off got second, and Marc Grandia and GHS Calexico got third.

Cristina Rennie and her homebred Flight of the Arabesque. Photo by Cortney Drake Photography.

“The whole weekend was a highlight,” Cristina said after their victory lap. “He really rocked the cross-country, and made it so I just had to hold on. I bred him 12 years ago. He was supposed to be 16 hands and he’s about 18 hands, but I wouldn’t trade him for the world.”

They are now qualified for an Advanced and Cristina hopes to take on a 3-star long.

Anni Grandia-Dodson and HSH Bold Decision won the Open Intermediate. Photo by Cortney Drake Photography.

The Open Intermediate division had significant movement on the leaderboard over the course of the weekend. Ultimately, Anni Grandia-Dodson and HSH Bold Decision, owned by Andrew Hoff, finished in first up from seventh after dressage on day one. Sophie Click and Quidproquo finished second, and Devin Robel and Gillou finished third.

HSH Bold Decision was imported from Ireland less than a year ago. According to Anni, “the show jumping has been a struggle for us. At our last show–Equestrian Institute Horse Trials–I had my first double clean with him. Going in this ring today is hard because it’s so small. He’s such a good cross-country horse because he gallops across the ground, but it has made the show jumping really difficult. So today feeling like even though it started to fall apart, I could put it back together and finish, was good progress. His show jumping is getting better and better.”

Harper Padgett and Captivate, winners of Area VII Open Prelim Championships. Photo by Cortney Drake Photography.

Harper Padgett and Captivate were unshakeable in the Area VII Open Preliminary Championship division, winning on a score of 26.1. Hanni Sreenan and Ebenholtz, owned by Amy Haugen, got second, and Anna Stein and her off-the-track-Thoroughbred Lucy Lucy Lucy got third.

Harper says of the three phases, the one that stood out for them this weekend was, “the show jump and the way that it rode. I really liked the course this year. I thought that it was open and flowing, which helped a lot of horses in this ring.”

Nicole Aden and Truckee Bash, winners of Open Prelim. Photo by Cortney Drake Photography.

In Open Preliminary, Nicole Aden and Truckee Bash jumped double clear on Morgan Rowsell’s cross-country track to win the division handily on 25.5. Marc Grandia and Levino, owned by Full Gallop Syndicate, LLC, finished second on 32.6, and Emily Pestl-Dimmitt and Bodhizafa, owned by Louise LaRue, finished third on 34.2.

After a clear and fast cross-country round today, Nicole said the best part of the weekend was “just feeling how confident and happy my horse is to be back out. He’s coming back from a year off. I wanted him to come out and have a good run and be confident and leave confidently–that was the most important thing. Winning is just icing on the cake. I just want my horse to be happy and confident, and that’s how he felt. I’m thrilled! As for what’s next for him, I will let him tell me.”

Mary Burke and Valentino won the Area VII Open Training Championship. Photo by Cortney Drake Photography.

In a division with no margin for error, Mary Burke and Valentino delivered a clear show jumping round to win the Area VII Open Training Championship. Hayden Brown and Cooley Merrywell, owned by Mint Hayden, finished second, and Patience O’Neal and Winston, owned by Bobbie Smith-Ede, finished third.

“We just moved Valentino up a couple of shows ago from Novice to the Training division,” said Mary. “He was second in his first Training, and then first in his second Training, and then winning Training Championships here… We’re extremally proud of him. For a young horse that I imported from Germany and developed–he’s everything I hoped he would grow up to be.”

The next stop for them this season is to compete in the United States Dressage Federation Regional Championship show in Devonwood, Oregon where they qualified at 2nd level.

Shruti Bona and Freesela won the Area VII Training Rider Championship. Photo by Cortney Drake Photography.

Shruti Bona won the Area VII Training Rider Championship with her catch ride, Freesela, owned and qualified by Hope Cochran. With her own horse out with an injury, Shruti was happy to get the ride on Freesela.

“I was just hoping for fun rounds this weekend,” said Shruti. “It definitely exceeded all my expectations. My cross-country was super, but I was really happy with my dressage test. We had a great test. It was a good feeling to be able to keep her focused in a kind of chaotic ring. Of course nothing can beat cross-country–it was super fun! It rode awesome. It was a great course.”

Simone Clark and Indio BMW, winners of Area VII Jr. Training Championship. Photo by Cortney Drake Photography.

Simone Clark and Indio BMW, owned by Simone’s mom Laura Clark, led the Area VII Junior Training Championship from start to finish. They won on their dressage score of 20.7–the lowest finishing score at the show.

“The highlight of the weekend was finishing on my dressage score,” Simone said. “But cross-country was so much fun… It’s always about the cross-country for me. Everything else is fun too, but cross-country is what I do this for.”

Patience O’Neal and Barney Come Home won Area VII Open Novice Championship. Photo by Cortney Drake Photography.

Patience O’Neal and Barney Come Home, owned by Wendy Wadhwani, finished the weekend on their dressage score of 22.2 to win the Area VII Open Novice Championship. Emily Sloop and Five Star Perfect finished second, and Jessica Heidemann and Falconess, owned by Joyce Osborn, finished third.

Patience said Barney is ending his 2023 eventing season for now on this high-note.

“The highlight for him this weekend was Stadium,” she said. “He can be a little bit klunky at times in show jumping… He’s still getting the hang of how to be careful. The work we did in the last 2 weeks really helped with me being able to ride him positively in the show jump and with him also trying a little harder for me. He has improved tremendously since Equestrian Institute Horse Trials 2 weeks ago. I’m very proud of him.”

Sarah Buehler and Orion’s Shining Star won Area VII Jr. Novice Championship. Photo by Cortney Drake Photography.

In Area VII Junior Novice Championship, Sarah Buehler the Oldenburg gelding Orion’s Shining Star, owned by Roxanne Moore, won the division on 28.3. Parker Kronemeyer and Twisted Oliver, owned by Michelle Cameron Donaldson placed second, and Chanelle Dahl and Balian placed third.

“The show jumping round today was the highlight for me,” said Sarah. “He felt amazing, and he was amazing in warm-up. We’ve really come together. I’ve only been riding him since July. We got fourth at Rebecca Farm, second at Equestrian Institute Horse Trials, and now we have won Champs. Thanks to Roxanne, I have been really lucky to be able to ride him as my catch ride, since my horse is hurt. He is just amazing!”

Tracey Trewin and Cody R, winners of the Area VII Novice Rider Championship. Photo by Cortney Drake Photography.

In Area VII Novice Rider Championship, Tracey Trewin and Coby R jumped double clear in show jumping to secure the win. Alexandra McBride and Peter Parker, owned by Kiran D’Souza, got second and Tanya Stricker and Handsome Harri got third.

“He’s still a new horse to me,” shared Tracey. “He’s such a different ride from my last horse–a Thoroughbred. It’s so different learning how to ride a Warmblood. I know there’s so much more inside of him to get out. Being able to progress together is super fun. I’m starting to trust him a lot. I feel like I’m getting comfortable enough we could go up to Training level.”

Catie and Smitten, winners of the Area VII Open Beginner Novice Championship. Photo by Cortney Drake Photography.

Catie Cejka and the petite off-the-track-Thoroughbred gelding Smitten took the win in the Area VII Open Beginner Novice Championships on a score of 28.1. It was an exciting Birthday present for Smitten’s owner, Jessica Wickersham, who was there to celebrate his achievement.

“This horse has come a very long ways,” shared Catie, who was all smiles after their winning show jumping round. “He came off the racetrack and was almost given up on. His owner Jessica took him and spent a whole year rehabbing him. For him to get here competing at Championships is amazing!”

Kylie Hoxeng and D’Eva’s Fleurie, winners of Area VII Jr. Beginner Novice Championship. Photo by Cortney Drake Photography.

Kylie Hoxeng and her 13-year-old Welsh Cob x Thoroughbred mare D’Eva’s Fleurie delivered consistent performances in all three phases to win the Area VII Junior Beginner Novice Championship on a score of 23.1. Gabi Anderton and Honey Do Sunday were second, and Lily Rhea and Mugzy finished third.

Kylie was all happiness after her show jumping round and said the best part of the show was “bringing this horse. I’ve worked really hard with her, and she’s done so much for me. She was brought up as a dressage horse and just recently I’ve been teaching her to jump. This is our last show for the year, but next year we will kickstart the season off at Novice level!”

Melissa Mohr and Ferrani, winners of The Arion Challenge and Area VII Beginner Novice Rider Championship. Photo by Cortney Drake Photography.

In one of the most exciting moments of the weekend, Melissa Mohr and Ferrani jumped clear in show jumping, moving from second to first to win the Area VII Beginner Novice Rider Championship as well as The Arion Challenge–a special prize sponsored by Arion HST.

“We love Aspen,” shared Melissa after her winning ride. “I love the facility, and she loves the cross-country course here. It’s the one course where we’ve had the best luck with her. Everyone has been so welcoming and warm–the whole environment here is awesome. I’m super proud to be part of this region.”

Since Melissa and Ferrani won their Rider division at the June Aspen Farms Horse Trials as well as their Rider division today, they were the only pair to successfully achieve The Arion Challenge at Aspen Farms for Amateur riders. For this feat, they will receive a custom Arion saddle.

“It’s so nice for Arion to sponsor this, especially at the Beginner Novice and Amateur level. The fact that they put in effort to support us, as well as the big riders, is really incredible. I’m in shock! My husband jokes that there’s no ‘Return on Investment’ ever on my horse, but for once she has won something that is very nice! I’m super excited–I’ve heard amazing things about the Arion saddles.”

United States Eventing Association President, Louise Leslie, was in attendance for the weekend, and she helped hand out awards during the USEA Area VII Championship prize giving ceremonies.

“It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of the Area VII Championships,” said Louise. “It was great having all the sponsorship and participation in Area VII.”

The complete scores for all divisions are available on Startbox Scoring, here.

You can see additional show coverage and videos on Instagram or on the Aspen Farms Horse Trials Facebook page.

British Horses Named for Young Horse World Championships at Le Lion d’Angers

By on Sep 16, 2023 9:30 am -

Piggy French and Cooley Lancer, winner of the Six-Year-Old World Championship in 2019. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The British Eventing Senior Selectors have confirmed the combinations that will compete at the 2023 Le Lion d’Angers Young Horse Championships in France from 18 – 22nd October — including a clone of Badminton winner Chilli Morning.

Great Britain is permitted to send fifteen combinations to the Championships – three to contest the 6-year-old Championship and twelve to contest the 7-year-old Championship. Riders wishing to take part were invited to apply and more than 40 applications we received. Those that have not made the selection will be placed on the waitlist in order of reserve and will be included in the nominated entry list on 18 September. We are especially pleased to see so many British-bred young horses within this year’s applications.

Nominated List:

6-Year-Old 3 x definite entries = 9

7-Year-Old 12 x definite entries = 36

The International Secretary will be in contact with further entry information for those selected. It is to be noted that selection is subject to achieving full Le Lion specific MERs by 18th September.

All selections are subject to continued performance as per the selection policy. A * denotes a British-bred horse.

Le Lion Selection 6 Year Olds:

  1. Barrington Alice owned by Johnny Hornby, ridden by Izzy Taylor*
  2. Kantango owned by Penelope Holley, Joanna Jones, Jane Boggis and Jane Tolley, ridden by Kitty King*
  3. Mojo owned by Mark Johns, Ginnie Wellings, Jane Grover, Oliver Wood, ridden by Mollie Summerland

Waitlist:

  1. Retouchable owned by Alex C Phillips and ridden by Izzy Taylor – Direct Reserve for Barrington Alice
  2. Cushlas Indigo owned by Sharon Parnaby and ridden by Katie Magee
  3. My Star Turn owned by Richard and Sarah Jewson, ridden by Tom Jackson
  4. Girls Gamble owned by Heather Bell and rider, Michael Jackson
  5. Morningstar van Altrido owned by The Morningstar Syndicate and ridden by Max Warburton
  6. Chilli Morning IV owned by Christopher Stone and ridden by Gemma Stevens*

Le Lion Selection 7 Year Olds:

  1. Midnight Endeavour owned by Hugh and Pam Jarvis and ridden by Tom Jackson
  2. Cooley Mosstown owned by Karen Dunford, Dinah Posford and Gail Sinclair, ridden by Caroline Harris
  3. Carpo Vivendi owned by Sara Brown and ridden by Jack Pinkney
  4. Amiro Island owned by James Midgley, Gaie Scouller and Alexandra Robinson, ridden by Harry Meade*
  5. Monbeg Cazador owned by Frank Breach and rider, Fiona Kashel
  6. Renkum Jitterbug owned by rider, Phoebe Locke*
  7. Goliath Du Loir owned by The Sue Davies Fund and Janette Chinn, ridden by Yasmin Ingham
  8. Master Class owned by Keith Lovelock and ridden by Alex Bragg*
  9. Zorro B owned by rider, Lucy Sugden – British Bred
  10. Agadir Gano owned by Angela Hislop and ridden by Katie Magee
  11. Starman III owned by Wendy Hecking and rider, Matthew Hecking*
  12. Creevaghstables Ificudiwud owned by Michael Munden and ridden by Tim Cheffings

Waitlist:

  1. United 36 owned by Michael Stenning and ridden by Max Warburton
  2. Corimiro owned by Christopher and Susan Gillespie, Bruce Saint and Brett Bullimore, ridden by Sarah Bullimore*
  3. Shanbeg Legacy owned and ridden by Jason Hobbs
  4. Gamebird owned by Robin and Nicola Salmon and ridden by Max Warburton
  5. Lancelot BMG owned and ridden by Alfie Marshall

Save the Date! Radnor Hunt H.T. is Coming Next Month

By on Sep 16, 2023 9:30 am -

Photo by Amy Dragoo Photography.

The Radnor Hunt Horse Trials takes place each year in mid-October and has roots dating back to the 1960s when a group of intrepid riders founded a horse trials at the Maryland farm of Joanna Glass, District Commissioner of the Middletown Pony Club.

The group included Glass, Lana DuPont Wright, the first woman to compete in Olympic three-day eventing and member of the silver medal winning team at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, and Kathleen Crompton, Master of Foxhounds for the Vicmead Hunt. Glass later returned to her hometown of Malvern and in 1972, Glass and Sheila Hundt helped the Radnor Hunt Pony Club host its first horse trials, and event that would grow into the prestigious Radnor Hunt International Three-Day Event.

Over the years, the Radnor Hunt International Three-Day Event hosted the Junior and Young Rider Championships, and Intermediate Championships, in addition to international one- and two-star levels and national Preliminary, Intermediate, and Advanced divisions. This tradition continued until 2006, the last year that Radnor offered international divisions.

After it became untenable to hose international divisions, a group, spearheaded by the iconic Marilyn Taylor, got together to pivot the International Three-Day Event to the Radnor Hunt Horse Trials of today, which started by hosting Training and Novice levels, added Modified in 2022.

With times changing, the Radnor Hunt Horse Trial is looking to appeal to the local and lower level riders, and this year is adding Beginner Novice and Starter levels. The facilities are nestled in the beautiful rolling countryside just north of Philadelphia, with excellent cross-county obstacles, a variety of well-maintained dressage, show jumping, and warm-up rings.

Radnor Hunt H.T. [Website] [Enter]

US Equestrian Recognizes USET Foundation’s 2023 Jacqueline B. Mars National Competition and Training Grant Recipients

By on Sep 15, 2023 1:05 pm -

James Alliston and Karma secure his third victory in a row at Rebecca Farm. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

US Equestrian is pleased to acknowledge the 2023 Jacqueline B. Mars National Competition and Training Grant recipients. The national grants are awarded by the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation through the generosity of USET Foundation Honorary Trustee Jacqueline B. Mars, with the aim of supporting preparation and attendance at a competition that is more than 1,500 miles from the athlete’s home base. In 2023, grants were awarded to James Alliston with Nemesis and Karma and Liz Halliday with Cooley Moonshine.

The grants are designed to assist athlete-and-horse combinations’ progression to the Pre-Elite or Elite Program. The goal of the grant is to provide training and competition resources for athletes who have never competed on an Olympic or FEI World Championship eventing senior team.

James Alliston and Nemesis. Photo by Ride On Photo.

James Alliston (San Ramon, Calif.) received a grant for Nemesis, Alliston Equestrian’s 2014 Canadian Warmblood gelding, to come east for the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ CCI5*-L (LRK3DE). Alliston rode Nemesis to the horse’s first CCI5*-L completion in April at the LRK3DE, finishing in 20th place.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Moonshine. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Liz Halliday (Lexington, Ky.) received a grant for Cooley Moonshine to head west for The Event at Rebecca Farm CCI4*-L back in July. Since finishing second in the seven-year-old division at the 2019 FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championship, Halliday and the Cooley Moonshine have earned several top-10 results as The Monster Partnership’s 2012 Irish Sport Horse gelding has moved up the levels.

Additionally, Alliston received a grant for Karma, which the USET Foundation graciously approved for an international trip after Alliston’s fall plans changed with being named to the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Netherlands CCIO4*-NC-L. After winning the CCI4*-L at The Event at Rebecca Farm, Alliston and the 2014 Oldenburg mare owned by Alliston Equestrian and Ric Plummer head to the Netherlands from October 5-8 for the horse’s first time competing abroad.

Find out more about the Jacqueline B. Mars National Competition and Training Grants here.

In Memoriam: Jessie Aikman

By on Sep 11, 2023 1:34 pm -
Jessie Aikman and Hidden Treasure. Brant Gamma photo Jessie Aikman and Hidden Treasure. Brant Gamma photo

From the United States Eventing Association:

The USEA shares its condolences with the friends and family of Area I Adult Rider Jessie Aikman. Aikman passed on September 3, 2023, from injuries received as a result of a fall at a USEA-recognized/US Equestrian licensed competition. Several of Aikman’s friends came forward to share their words of love for Aikman after her passing.

Amy Winnen, USEA Adult Rider Committee Co-Chair and Area I Adult Rider Program representative shared the following: “Jessie was an active Adult Rider Program member and always demonstrated care and support of her fellow equestrians, she always cheered on her own Virtual Team Challenge team but also celebrated everyone’s success. Even from her hospital bed, she was making sure her team got points even though she wouldn’t be able to ride at GMHA in September and didn’t want to scratch her entry for a refund because she knew GMHA needed the money. She loved the eventing community and we loved her. She will be missed.”

In addition, her dear friend and barn family member at Green Acres Stables in New Hampshire stated, ” Jessie lives in our hearts forever- in every gallop, every beautiful Green Acres Stable sunset, every rainbow across the cross-country field, and every hug we give to our horses. We are all changed by her light and love. I will never forget her saying ‘Every day is a great one when you’re with a horse!’ We will continue to ride, smile, enjoy our horses, and love one another in her honor. We love you, Jessie, forever and always.”

Julie Leblanc, friend and owner of the horse, Hidden Treasure, which Aikman competed, stated: “Jessie used to say to me at every show, ‘thank you for letting me live my childhood dreams.’ I always giggled and said you’re welcome, but she was the one who had me starry-eyed with her level of constant dedication. She jumped into everything she did, without hesitation. She learned how to properly condition a horse so that she was being fair to Treasure at every venue. She worked tirelessly on her flatwork to always best her last score. Even when she was nervous, we always said together, you can do this. What she didn’t know, is she lit a spark in me that had been missing for some time, a flame that will never go out, it stays eternal between us. The bond we shared went beyond horses. My son was like a grandchild to her, his excitement for dinners at her house, adventures while fruit picking, learning to cook new things, taking her horses for trail rides, and sledding. My son will miss every moment of the bond they had. Jessie had a way of guiding with a firm but gentle hand, that somehow just worked for my son. We talked every day, no matter the subject. Life without her will no doubt be different, but I am different because of her, I am better because of her. I love you, Jessie.”

Aikman’s official obituary is as follows:

On September 3, 2023, Jessie Aikman died from injuries she received while pursuing her lifelong dream of competitive horseback riding. She was born on July 29, 1957, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Robin and Walter Aikman and lived most of her life on the family farm in Rollinsford, New Hampshire. The oldest of six, her siblings referred to her as “The Warden” due to assertive leadership style. She was an absolute badass whose unique blend of kindness, sass, and spirited stick-to-itiveness were present throughout her life.

She loved animals from an early age. By the age of ten, when she wasn’t riding real horses, she and her sisters practiced trick riding on their bicycles, tying twine to the handlebars to use as reins. She competed in equestrian eventing in high school and worked on the family dairy farm. She attended the University of New Hampshire where she graduated with a degree in Animal Science. As an adult, she loved her many dogs and horses wholeheartedly.

Jessie had many skills and hobbies, and she excelled in all of them. Jessie was the owner of Back Channel Canvas Shop in Eliot, Maine, and was known by many to be a genius when it came to designing and crafting custom awnings, boat tops, and other structures out of canvas. She began collecting and riding antique motorcycles in the 1980s, and was the president of the Yankee Chapter of the American Antique Motorcycle Association for several years. She was a skilled knitter and pursued many other creative passions including baking quilting, photography, ceramics, and playing the flute. She was fiercely competitive and always loved to win, whether that be in a quilt show, a dog agility competition, or just a “friendly game of Cribbage.”

When she was in her mid-fifties, after a life-changing trail ride in the mountains near Telluride, Colorado and in the midst of a decades-long battle with rheumatoid arthritis, Jessie decided to bring horses back into her life and pursue her childhood dream of competitive equine eventing in earnest. She dedicated many hours to practicing, and found success both in competitions and in achieving her goals as an athlete. She became known in the horse world as a rockstar and was admired by teammates and competitors alike for her “balls,” her determination, and great sense of humor.

Jessie will be sorely missed by her husband Mike Lingley, her mother, and her siblings Lucy Putnam, William Aikman and Sophie Aikman all of Rollinsford, NH; Lorna Mehta of New York, NY and Robert Aikman of Fairbanks, AK, her beloved stepson, her extended family and her many niblings, grandchildren, and friends. We will never forget her indefatigable generosity, her miraculous ability to incorporate the “f bomb” into any sentence, or her “mile high apple pie.”

A celebration of life will be held at a later date in the future. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following organizations:

US Eventing Association: A memorial fund has been set up in Jessie’s honor through the Area 1 USEA Adult Rider Program. Donations to the fund can be made here.

Donations to the New Hampshire SPCA in Stratham for their dog and horse rescue programs in Aikman’s memory can be made here.

The USEA would like to remind members of the US Equestrian Grief Hotline that is available to the eventing community impacted by this loss. Having partnered with the McLaughlin Young Group, US Equestrian offers free, confidential counseling services for mental health first aid with state-licensed practitioners who hold a graduate degree and at least five years of post-graduate clinical experience. You may contact these professional clinicians 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Members may reach a counselor by calling 1-800-633-3353.

‘Little Miss Perfect’ Scores at Cornbury

By on Sep 11, 2023 11:30 am -

Cornbury House Horse Trials came to a thrilling finish when world champion Yasmin Ingham, who had led the seven-year-old class of The Howden Way Young Horse Championships throughout the weekend, tipped the very last showjump to hand victory to Tom Jackson.

Tom, who made his senior British squad debut this summer, finished on his dressage score of 30.7 on Hugh and Pam Jarvis’s mare Midnight Endeavour. She was bred in Ireland by James Nash, and is by Future Trend out of a Ricardo mare.

Tom Jackson riding Midnight Endeavour (credit Peter Nixon)

“She’s called Little Miss Perfect at home, because whenever the girls in the yard ask how she was when I’ve been riding her, I say, ‘Perfect’,” said Tom. “She’s a little dinger across country – she just flies round. The showjumping wouldn’t necessarily be her strongest phase – she jumps well, but she can sometimes have four-fault-itis. Not today, though, and it is lovely to win on her.”

Yasmin Ingham had to settle for second on another mare, Gypsie Du Loir. Like Yasmin’s individual gold medallist at the 2022 World Championships, Banzai Du Loir, she is owned by Janette Chin and the Sue Davies Fund and came from the same stud – Elevage Du Loir – in France.

New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson took third and fifth places on Filipo and Fenizio, a pair of grey geldings, both bred in Spain by Ramon Beca and both by the stallion Meneusekal.

This was the first time that Cornbury House Horse Trials has hosted the prestigious Young Horse Championships, and Yasmin said: “The cross-country track was beautifully built and designed and had a really good flow to it, I think it was super educational; young horses need to have a positive experience, and I felt my mare wanting to attack it and increasing in confidence all the time.”

Kitty King and Kantango (credit Peter Nixon)

Kitty King won The Howden Way-sponsored national six-year-old title for the third time in career, this time on Kantango, owned by Penelope Holley, Joanna Jones, Kitty’s mother Jane Boggis and Jane Tolley. By Tangelo out of a Winningmood mare, Kantango showjumped with Megan James, and Kitty bought him from Harry Horgan last winter.

“He’s a really smart young horse – this is his first season eventing and he’s taken to it like a duck to water,” said Kitty. “I’m very proud of him. This is a brilliant class and has been a great stepping-stone for my top horses in the past, so I’ve got high hopes for Kantango.”

The pair led the dressage with a mark of 22.7, and only added 0.4 of a time-penalty in the showjumping to that.

Kitty’s previous winners of this national championship were Ceylor LAN, whom she rode at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and Persimmon, with whom she won team silver at the 2015 European Championships at Blair Castle.

Second was Ireland’s Sian Coleman on the Diarado mare Diamond Mistress, and Sara Squires and Van Kaunitz – last year’s five-year-old champions – were third. Both combinations finished on their dressage scores of 26 and 26.8.

Laura Collett “Top overall rider” receiving her prize from David Howden (credit Peter Nixon)

Olympic team gold medallist Laura Collett won Cornbury’s Leading Rider prize, taking home a cheque for £2,500 and a magnificent silver trophy. Laura laid down her challenge for this title early on in the event, having won CCI3*-S section A and two British Eventing Open Intermediate sections on Thursday.

There were three classes for under-21 riders, all sponsored by The Howden Way. Ella Howard won the Pony Trial on Colemanstown Rocket, whom her parents bought six years ago when he was four and Ella was nine. Ella has produced him all the way through to this level, and today’s victory was an emotional one for the Howard family as he survived a colic operation last year.

Elizabeth Barrett took the young rider CCI3*-S on Dargun, while Ireland’s Alex Connors won the junior CCI2*-S with her family’s homebred OLS King Aragon.

Australia’s Kevin McNab took the remaining CCI2*-S section on Francesca Pollara’s Dance Monkey 7.

David Howden, founder and president of Cornbury House Horse Trials, said: “We have had the most brilliant event and I have to thank all our fantastic volunteers, officials, sponsors, riders, owners, grooms and supporters for all their very hard work. The weather has been hot, but so has the competition – it has been a real joy to see so many talented horses and riders at Cornbury this weekend.

“This is our fourth year, and it has grown so much since our first event in the Covid year of 2020. Every year we have worked hard to improve every aspect of the event, and I think the additions this time of Field Food – a showcase of delicious locally produced food and drink – Wildings, the very popular area offering lots of interactive activities for children – and the superb hospitality put on by The Pelican have allowed us to step up a level once again.”

For further information visit the Cornbury House website.

Oh, Canada! Mike Winter Wins British Eventing Five-Year-Old Championship

By on Sep 9, 2023 6:10 pm -

Mike Winter and Happy Time at Cornbury. Photo by Peter Nixon.

Gloucestershire-based Canadian Olympic rider Michael Winter won the British Eventing Five-Year-Old Championship – sponsored by The Howden Way – on Happy Time today at Cornbury House Horse Trials.

Michael finished on the same score – 26.1 – as second-placed Gemma Gurvidi (Nistel O), but Michael was closer to the optimum time of 4min 48sec on the cross-country and therefore took top spot.

Michael and his wife Emma own the Dibadu L-sired Happy Time with Hazel Thompson and her son Josh. The Winters usually produce horses to sell, but after the Thompsons – long-time owners with Michael and Emma – bought a half-share, they plan to keep this exciting youngster, whom they bought from Belgium during Covid after seeing a video of him.

“He was super,” said Michael. “I thought he would back off a little at the more decorated fences, but he’s really brave – he’s really, really good.”

Only a fraction behind Michael and Gemma in third on a score of 26.8  was Max Warburton, riding Norway Van De Haar, owned by Miranda Lucey, Hazel Livesey and Sue Ruddock.

The Howden Way Young Horse Championships for six- and seven-year-olds conclude tomorrow (Sunday, 10 September). World champion Yasmin Ingham is in the lead in the seven-year-old class on Gypsie Du Loir, owned by Janette Chinn and the Sue Davies Fund. The pair added a few cross-country time faults to their dressage mark of 21.9, but their overnight score of 26.7 keeps them at the top of the leaderboard.

Yasmin said: “I think the cross-country track was super-educational. Young horses are learning all the time and they need to have a positive experience, which is the most important thing. I was especially pleased with Gypsie Du Loir – this was quite a decent step up for her. I didn’t really know how she was going to cope with it, but she took it all on and fought like a lion the whole way round. There were times where she got a little bit too keen, but it was so nice – she felt like she was attacking everything and building in confidence the whole way round.”

The mare, by Herald, has come from the same stud in France (Elevage du Loir) as Yasmin’s world champion Banzai Du Loir – as does Goliath Du Loir, who is in 13th place currently with Yasmin.

Kitty King and Kantango are in first place after cross-country in the six-year-old final. The pair stormed round David Evans’ track to stay on their dressage mark of 22.7.

Kitty, who won team gold and individual silver at the European Championships last month on her top horse Vendredi Biats, bought the Tangelo gelding last winter from Harry Horgan. He is now owned by Penelope Holley, Joanna Jones, Kitty’s mother Jane Boggis and Jane Tolley.

“He’s quite cocky – his dam is by Winningmood, who is Vendredi Biats’ sire, and they do have a certain amount of cheekiness and cockiness about them!” she said. “He’s always naturally a very jolly, happy chap; he got a bit feisty today across country and was very full of himself.”

Tomorrow (Sunday) is the final day of Cornbury 2023. All the cross-country action will be livestreamed for free on the event website and on Horse & Country TV.

Tickets for Cornbury House Horse Trials, which features far more than “just” the international horse sport, can be bought online via the website or on the gate. “Field Food” celebrates a wide variety of delicious, locally-produced food and drink, including from the Cornbury estate, while at the weekend “Wildings” is a shaded, interactive area full of children’s activities.

Visit www.cornburyhousehorsetrials to buy tickets, watch the livestream and for more information.

 

Cornbury Horse Trials Launches £50,000 Ex-Racehorse Series

By on Sep 8, 2023 12:44 pm -

Piggy March and the ex-racehorse Our Old Fella. Photo courtesy of Cornbury Horse Trials.

Just a few days after the announcement of the Howden Way’s new Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme, which will provide support and education to owners and riders of off-the-track Thoroughbreds, Jayne McGivern and Cornbury House Horse Trials today announce an exciting new class for ex-racehorses that will be run at Cornbury House Horse Trials in 2025, worth a phenomenal £50,000.

The introduction of this new ex-racehorse class is the initiative of Jayne McGivern of Dash Grange Stud and owner of top event horses, with the support of David Howden, Group CEO and Founder of Howden and Founder and President of the Cornbury House Horse Trials.

The initiative has been in McGivern’s thoughts for a long time, wanting to make training ex-racehorses financially viable for riders. Her aim is to also raise the profile of the adaptable nature of thoroughbreds, especially in terms of their suitability for eventing.

McGivern is generously donating £50,000 in prize money, making it one of the largest prize funds within the eventing calendar, and the class will be run alongside the other classes at Cornbury House Horse Trials.

The class will showcase thoroughbreds and their abilities, aiming to encourage riders to take on and retrain ex-racehorses and incentivise riders to work towards the 2025 class. It will also provide an additional opportunity for ex-racehorses, building on the existing resource and guidance provided by Retraining of Racehorses (RoR).

Jayne McGivern of Dash Grange Stud said: “I am thrilled to be able to launch a new ex-racehorse class that will run in 2025, and thank David Howden for his support in allowing my idea to come to fruition. Racing and Eventing are both my passions and through this class we will be able to showcase the talent that thoroughbreds have in their second careers.”

The class will begin at CCI2*/Novice level, with further details around the class to be announced in due course.

 

Loch Moy Farm to Host Bred to Event Classic, September 28-October 1

By on Sep 8, 2023 9:15 am -

Loch Moy Farm shows off its photogenic nature. Photo by Alison Green for Erin Gilmore Photography.

With a dedicated effort to bolster breeding programs in the U.S., Loch Moy Farm has established itself as a hotspot for a glimpse at future event horses as they learn their craft. The latest addition to the Loch Moy Farm calendar is the Bred to Event Classic, to be held September 28 – October 1 in collaboration with the Maryland International Equestrian Foundation.

The Bred to Event Classic is a standalone competition dedicated to the breeding of event-bred horses, providing an opportunity for breeders and owners alike to showcase their decision-making and horsemanship with the young horses they show.

“With the news that the Future Event Horse program is no longer facilitated by USEA, Bred to Event Classic will further support the dedicated breeders and competitors that Loch Moy Farm has hosted at East Coast Future Event Horse Championships for 10 years,” the event press release describes.

The Bred to Event Classic will feature qualifiers and championships for horses aged one through five. A panel of judges that includes Robin Walker, Chris Ryan, Cathy Tucker-Slaterbeck, and Ian Stark will assess the horses’ suitability for eventing.

Special awards will be presented to Maryland-bred horses, Thoroughbreds, and U.S.-bred horses, with prize money distributed between breeders, owners, and riders.
There will be special awards for Maryland Bred horses, TB horses, US bred horses, and prize money will be split between Breeders/Owners, and Riders. As an additional incentive that also bolsters the venue itself, winners of the yearling through 3-year-old competition will be invited back with a free entry to the 2024 Bred to Event Classic. Winning horses of the 4- and 5-year-old competition will be given an annual entry for three years into the Maryland Horse Trials recognized events.

You can view much more, including guidelines for entering, rules, and other important information, on the Bred to Event Classic website here.

The Howden Way Launches British Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme

By on Sep 7, 2023 12:39 pm -

An exciting new addition to The Howden Way programme has been announced today. A bespoke Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme will join the existing areas of The Howden Way, designed to give expert tuition and training to riders that take on former racehorses.

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme will be run by British Eventing and sit alongside the existing areas of The Howden Way; The Howden Regional Training Academy, The Howden Talent Academy, The Howden Young Horse Academy and The Howden Way Young Horse Leagues.

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme, within The Howden Way structure, will be specifically designed to assist riders from the initial point of taking on a horse leaving racing and transitioning to a riding horse. The programme will both encourage and assist those taking on a former racehorse by giving them the security of knowing they will have a comprehensive care programme wrapped around them. The programme will encompass everything that riders will need to know from both caring for ex-racehorses in terms of their nutrition, routine and welfare needs through to their ridden retraining. It will sit alongside the existing resource and guidance provided by Retraining of Racehorses (RoR).

Coaching will be delivered by British Eventing Level 3 and above coaches who have gone through the Thoroughbred Aftercare standardisation programme and further supported with knowledge sharing from experts within their chosen field.

The Howden Way offers training and opportunities to riders of all ages and abilities. It was launched in May 2022 and has been in development by a specialist team to evolve into the unique training programme that it is today. The large investment into the sport of eventing, made by David Howden, CEO and Founder of Howden and Founder and President of Cornbury House Horse Trials, has five key areas; The Howden Regional Training Academy, The Howden Talent Academy, The Howden Young Horse Academy, The Howden Way Young Horse Leagues and, now, The Howden Way Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme. 

Further details about the Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme and how riders can sign up to the programme will follow.

Conceal Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field Boosts Prize Money to $100,000 for 2024

By on Sep 7, 2023 9:37 am -

The Aiken Horse Park Foundation (AHPF) is thrilled to announce the Augusta, GA based cyber security company, Conceal, is joining as the Title Sponsor for the 2024 $100,000 Conceal Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field presented by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services (GPE). Now in its sixth year, Conceal’s support has made it possible to raise the showcase purse to $100,000.

Gordon Lawson, CEO of Conceal, commented on the new partnership:

“Conceal is honored to be the lead sponsor for the premier event of the 2024 Aiken Horse Park Season. As an international cyber security firm, we are excited to host the finest eventers from around the globe, especially as we will be right around the corner from the 2024 summer Olympics in Paris. We believe the mission of the Horse Park to attract competitors and spectators to Aiken is tremendously beneficial for the community and look forward to seeing continued growth of this event for years to come.”

GPE Organizing Chair & 7 time Olympian, Phillip Dutton reacted:

“The Aiken Eventing Showcase is very excited to announce that the leading cyber security company, Conceal, is joining us as title sponsor for the 2024 showcase. This has allowed us to raise the total prize money for next year to $100k. The Aiken Eventing Showcase has been an incredible addition to the Eventing calendar in the USA, as well as showcasing the best horses and riders to the local Aiken community. The increased prize money will take the Aiken Eventing Showcase to a whole new level and will most likely entice more international riders.”

As Mr. Lawson said, this news comes at an opportune time, just as the #PathToParis, the 2024 Paris Olympics campaign, enters the final stretch. During the 2021 GPE, all three of the eventual Tokyo 2021 team members, Phillip Dutton & Z, Boyd Martin & Tsetserleg, and Doug Payne & Vandiver, competed at the showcase. Also named to the Tokyo 2021 team, Liz Halliday & Dinero Z, and Tamie Smith & Mai Baum both competed at the event as well. All of the equestrian competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic games will take place on the grounds of Versailles. With Olympic Eventing trending more and more towards tighter, faster cross-country courses, the GPE will present an excellent, early season preview of where horse and rider pairs stand, for the competitors themselves as well as team coaches and selectors.

Former Managing Director of Eventing for the USEF, and current GPE Event Director, Joanie Morris added:

“Raising the prize money has been a goal of this Organizing Committee since the inception of this event. We celebrated our 5th anniversary this past year, and thanks to the ongoing support of our loyal sponsors and Conceal’s step into the title sponsor role, we are able to reach this milestone. As the only three phase showcase in North America we continue to set the standard and believe we have a responsibility to the athletes and owners to offer the highest quality event and as much prize money as we can. It is our demonstration of appreciation for their support and in celebration of the fact that we continue to feature the nation’s best horses and athletes year after year.”

Want to be a part of #AnEventLikeNoOther? Prospective sponsors may contact AHPF Director of Marketing & Communications Kate Boggan for more information. General admission tickets will go on sale December 1st 2023. Visit aikenhorsepark.org/eventing for more details.

European Champion Ros Canter Takes #1 in FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings; Tamie Smith Moves to 5th

By on Sep 5, 2023 9:30 am -

Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

British athlete Rosalind Canter has claimed the coveted position of leader in the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings, dethroning Tim Price, from his 11-month reign.

Ros’ remarkable performance at the recent FEI Eventing European Championship at Haras du Pin (FRA) has propelled her from the third tier of the rankings to the very zenith, amassing a total of 541 points. After consistently maintaining a position among the top 5 for well over a year, Ros now returns to the top of the world rankings, a position she last held in April 2019.

“It’s really exciting to be world number one. I have some amazing horses and owners, and an incredible team behind me at home. With the help of my family, we’ve built our yard up alongside our working farm and so it’s still hard to believe that we’ve been able to achieve the results we have. We’re still learning every day and I hope that we can keep on achieving.” Ros remarked.

Tim Price and Vitali. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Reflecting on her achievement, she added, “I think becoming world number one means a lot because it shows consistency. It’s taken many years to build up a string of top horses to help me get to this point. I hope this can inspire others to follow their dreams and it’s something my daughter can look back on with pride in years to come.”

With an eye firmly set on the future, Ros has already fixed her gaze upon the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, stating, “It would be a dream come true to make it to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games next year. It’s a box I’ve not yet ticked and so we’ll be working hard over the next few months with that in mind. Looking beyond that, my aim is to continue to improve and hope that that can lead to being able to represent my country a few more times.”

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Alex Jeffery.

Former world number one, Tim Price, now yields to the second position with a tally of 482 points. Meanwhile, Oliver Townend ascends to the third position, amassing 478 points, surpassing his compatriot Tom McEwen, who maintains a solid fourth position with a score of 469 points.

Notable strides in the rankings include Americans Tamie Smith, firmly holding fifth place with 447 points, Will Coleman securing a noteworthy seventh place with 413 points, and Boyd Martin achieving an eighth place with 398 points. Phillip Dutton (13) and Liz Halliday (15) are also within the top 15 for the U.S. British rider Yasmin Ingham claims the sixth spot with 425 points. Jonelle Price (NZL) experiences a descent to the ninth position, while Laura Collet (GBR) exhibits a significant ascent, climbing ten positions to gain entry into the Top 10 with 371 points.

Catching Up with #AEC2023: Novice Champions Crowned on Saturday

By on Sep 3, 2023 11:30 am -

The competition and the temperature heated up on Saturday as six Novice divisions came to a conclusion at the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds.

Allison Icenogle and Fernhill Revelation. USEA / Lindsay Berreth.

USEA Novice Amateur Championship

The giant Novice Amateur division saw the most drama in the final phase. In the end Allison Icenogle and her own Fernhill Revelation climbed from fourth place overnight to be crowned Champions, finishing on their dressage score of 27.9. “I was not expecting this at all,” she exclaimed afterwards. “This is my first time here so I was shocked even after the dressage results!”

By first time here Icenogle means both the Horse Park and the AEC, but her horse is decidedly more seasoned; the 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse was campaigned up to the four-star level by Phillip Dutton, and Icenogle has been riding him for about two and a half years. “He’s just been amazing; everything I do with him he does amazingly. I’ve got my silver medal in dressage on him, and I ride him in Pony Club, and it’s been awesome every step of the way.”

Where some riders might struggle taking over an established ride from a top professional, that has not been Icenogle’s experience, “Really, it’s just a dream come true. I went out and looked at him, rode him for the first time and fell in love with him,” she said.

Although she insists it has been pretty much smooth sailing all the way, Icenogle will admit that it’s taken some time to adjust to Fernhill Revelation’s size; he’s 17.1-hands. Her family has a Fjord farm in Southwest Wisconsin so she’s used to riding small Norwegian ponies.

Supreme confidence in her relationship with her horse didn’t preclude her getting nervous before her cross-country rounds. “Terribly so, and he does too actually so we both are nervous wrecks going into the start box,” she said. But as it turned out, “It was a really fun course, and he did amazing with it; we didn’t have any issues. So that was my favorite part.”

Walking down the chute into the Rolex Arena before the final phase was a bit nerve-wracking for Icenogle. “I’ve seen Rolex over the years,” she said. “I’ve been watching it since like 2008 so getting to ride in this arena is amazing!”

Madeline Bletzacker and Landtino S. USEA / Lindsay Berreth.

USEA Novice Rider Championship

A double-clear round in the Rolex Arena saw Madeline Bletzacker (Galena, Ohio) move up one place to take the Novice Rider Championship on her own Danish Warmblood gelding Landtino S (Solos Lantinus x Chess S), “a failed dressage horse” but a former hunter derby winner, USEA Horse of the Year and now AEC Champion.

At 23 years young, it’s taken Landtino S a while to get here and to step out of the shadow of Bletzacker’s other horse. At 67 years equally young Bletzacker admits she might be nearing the sunset of her competitive career too. “He’s just been a really great horse but it did take a long time to get him to acclimate to the dressage. He has squealed and kicked out more than five times in dressage over the years! I am so excited because I’m like, almost at the end of my career. Like every day I feel like ‘Am I done?’ My horses are 23 and 15, I just feel like this is a great pinnacle for my career.”

Bletzacker honed her horsemanship skills on the racecourse and gained valuable experience retraining Thoroughbreds, “I have worked at the track for 25 years. 18 hours a day, seven days a week,” she said. “So I was a slave to horses all that time.”

It was a helpful hunter/jumper judge, “back in the ‘80s,” she said, who suggested to her that one of her off-track Thoroughbreds might be better suited to the eventing scene than the show ring, and Bletzacker’s been hooked ever since.

Emerson Padgett and MSH Giant Jac’ka. USEA / Lindsay Berreth.

USEA Novice Junior Championship

Emerson Padgett (Akron, Ohio) has only been riding her 7-year-old Selle Français MSH Giant Jac’ka (Quebracho Semilly x Loupaline Du Haul) since December, but they’ve established enough of a partnership to clinch the win in the Novice Junior Championship, leading from start to finish and adding nothing to their dressage score. “It’s really exciting!” Emerson said after her victory gallop, “He was just so good, and it was a really fun weekend, and this is just like the cherry on top for it to be so successful.”

The win was a lovely surprise even though Emerson knew her horse was capable of putting three good scores on the board, “I mean, I don’t think anybody ever expects it to happen!” she said. “It was still very exciting. And I don’t think it’s even hit me yet. I don’t think I’ve taken it in yet. I think doing the victory lap was like, ‘Oh wow, this has actually happened!’”

Emerson said she’s received a lot of help from her trainers Robin Walker and Kara Andrew who were here this weekend, “I wouldn’t be here without them; they’ve helped me so much. They helped me find ‘Jack,’ and they’ve helped us the entire way.” A big group from her barn were also at the Horse Park this weekend, as well as her naturally proud mother and grandmother.

Emerson didn’t have a rail in hand over second-placed Caroline Burkhardt and Stonehaven’s Dream who had jumped clear, but she kept a cool head and duly delivered the goods. “I was focusing on my warm up and just was more focused on the atmosphere that we’re going into and just thinking about my course, and I was trying to kind of focus on myself and then just see what happened.”

She did allow herself a moment to appreciate her surroundings right before she entered the Rolex Arena. “Oh, gosh,” she gasped. “It’s so cool! I mean, you watch so many big people ride here that it’s just so amazing to be here in such a big atmosphere, and all the horses jumped so much better in there; it was so much fun!”

Future plans this year include “probably some more events in the fall and just to really practice all of our skills, some jumper shows and just enjoy him!”

Plus, she added, “He’s just so fun to be around, and it’s a plus that he’s so talented, and he’s just such a good horse. It’s fun to do whatever with him.

Jane Musselman and Engapore. USEA / Lindsay Berreth.

USEA Novice Master Amateur Championship

Jane Musselman (Loiusville, Kentucky) has twice gone into the final phase of the AEC in the lead, twice at the Horse Park, and both times it didn’t go her way. Today, the third time was a charm: Engapore (Singapore x Orize), a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood jumped a beautiful clear round that would have won an equitation class, and they were crowned Novice Master Amateur Champions.

“I think talking to all my friends, just trying to relax and trust my horse, trust that he can go there and do this” was what made the difference this time, Jane opined, “and he was so rideable today so that made it easier!”

Musselman trains with Martha Lambert and sometimes with Phillip Dutton who gave her a little advice and wished her luck, “He’s been busy too so Martha mostly helped me this weekend!” she said.

To finally make it onto the podium feels “So good! It’s so nice that it’s here at home!” Musselman’s parents live in Lexington, and it was her mother’s 70th birthday so there’ll be a double celebration at dinner in Lexington tonight.

Kensal Fansler and Delilah’s Boy. USEA / Lindsay Berreth.

USEA Novice Junior 15 & Under Championship

The top 3 in this division remained the same throughout the weekend as all three combinations aced their tests each day. Maybe overnight leader, 12-year-old Kendal Fansler (Clarkesville, Maryland) manifested her win, but she had predicted the day before that show jumping should be a breeze for her Connemara-cross Delilah’s Boy, and indeed it was. “It was so much fun!” Fansler beamed after her win. “He definitely saved my butt on some of the fences but he was awesome!”

Making time has not been a problem for this pair in either of the jumping phases, in fact sometimes they’ve had to struggle with the opposite, “My coach [John Secan] told me to not cut any of the turns because if I’m slicing them I’ll probably get a rail, and to make sure I keep my rhythm the whole time,” she said. Kendal did both, and the trophy was hers!

Phillip Dutton, Sharon White, and Liz Halliday are Fansler’s eventing heroes, and she watched all three show jump in the Advanced Championship finale Friday evening. “They were awesome!” Perhaps she got a taste for what it might feel like to ride in the higher divisions, or even Land Rover Kentucky one day as she waited her turn in the chute to the big arena, “It felt very professional”, she agreed.

Delilah’s Boy, a hand-me-down from Fansler’s cousin, Emma Whitaker after she outgrew him, can look forward to a short vacation, “I will make sure he’s very cooled off today, and I’ll give him probably a week off because he worked very hard. And then we’ll just continue showing.”
From Maryland, Fansler has another ride Sunday, and when I ask if she’ll be first in line for Whitaker’s current horse, HSH Golden Boy, currently lying third in the Beginner Novice Championship she chuckles, “I don’t think she’s going to outgrow that one!”

USEA Novice Horse Championship

The newly crowned USEA Novice Horse Champion found his way to local rider Elissa Gibbs’ barn as a 4-year-old without her having ridden him; she bought him on the recommendation of Liz Halliday, but she discovered pretty quickly that her new purchase could jump. “The first day he came I put him in the round pen, and he just trotted out over the eight-foot wall and found a friend in a paddock and started grazing. He just trotted straight over it!”

Scope is clearly not an issue for this stunning gray horse but the win today is bittersweet for Gibbs whose business is “finding very good quality young horses and bringing them up and and then sending them to their forever person.” Unsurprisingly there is already a buyer lined up for this one, but Gibbs says she gets a lot of joy watching them thrive in their new homes and following them at competitions.
“I don’t think at this point I’m going to run Advanced again, but I like to ride really top class horses,” she elaborated, “and I like to keep them for a couple of years so you really really know who they are and where they’re meant to be.”

However, her other ride in this division, the ex-racehorse Enjoy The Journey who finished 21st is rather special, she shares, and rather less valuable than the winner, and she thinks he’s probably a keeper. After a castration and a slow start because “he did not understand show-jumping, he was terrified of it,” she said with a laugh, something clicked, “I left the start box for the first time on cross-country on him and whew….the way just galloped and jumped the first fence, I knew then this horse was just never leaving!”

Once she’d made that decision she asked Avery Whisman’s family for permission, an emotional Gibbs remembers, and then changed the horse’s name to memorialize “a very special student of mine who switched from eventing to being a jockey and passed away earlier this year.”
Gibbs has competed at the AEC every time they’ve been in Lexington but this is her first win. “I think it’s special to win at home because your peers are around, and your business is here. It’s good for business to do well, it makes your clients believe in you and that you know what they’re doing. And they can come and watch you. I’ve got a whole big group up there,” she gestures into the Rolex Arena grandstands, “all watching, cheering, getting drunk, and having a great time!”

[Click here to read the full recap from the Novice Championships at AEC]

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