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Two Held, One Withdrawn: 23 Move Forward to the Final Phase of the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event

By Veronica Green-Gott on Apr 27, 2025 10:28 am -

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Even when it comes to horse inspections, Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH are leading the way at the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event — the current leader of the CCI5* was the first to present, and successfully so, in this morning’s second horse inspection. Our top five remain unchanged heading into the final phase.

We do find ourselves moving forward to the show jumping phase with a slightly smaller field than we ended with yesterday afternoon. Ema Klugman’s Bronte Beach (eighteenth after cross-country) and Tim Price’s Jarillo (sixth after cross-country) were withdrawn from competition overnight and did not present at this morning’s horse inspection. During the course of proceedings, two horses were asked to re-present: Calvin Bockmann and The Phantom of the Opera, who sit thirteenth after yesterday’s influential phase, and Tim Price and Falco, who were 15th despite a frustrating late 20. Tim chose to retire Falco from the competition while in the hold box and did not present the experienced 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding again.

Calvin, on the other hand, trotted down the strip for a second time and was accepted to a round of cheers from the crowd. “Phanty” and Calvin had a dramatic save on cross country yesterday, after a long leap in Pete’s Hollow that caused the horse to lose his footing upon landing. Calvin stayed in the saddle, Phanty regained his balance, and the pair galloped forward to finish the course. After being inspected by veterinarians and the Ground Jury, the 14-year-old gelding has been found to be sound and healthy and will continue on to show jumping today.

While it was a bit of a tough jog for the Europeans, the US-based contingent of the CCI5* field sailed through with nary a problem. Show jumping kicks off at 10:30 this morning with the Taren Hoffos and Regalla trailblazing in the CCI4*-S, which remains in the hands of Will Coleman and Off The Record overnight. The five-star riders will begin the final phase of competition at 2:30 this afternoon.

Will Coleman and Off the Record, leaders of the CCI4*-S, work the crowd at the second horse inspection.

Defender Kentucky: [Website] [Tickets] [Official Schedule] [Entries & Ride Times] [Scoring] [ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [USEF Network on ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Form Guide]

EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.

Chase the Chinch: The Go Eventing Podcast is Coming to Kentucky

By Veronica Green-Gott on Apr 24, 2025 9:00 am -

Here at Eventing Nation, we’re known for being a little unhinged. After a week of long days and minimal sleep while reporting at the Kentucky Three Day Event, the level of unhinged-ness (that’s a word, right?) increases from mild to moderate. This year, we’re going to start the week strong by bringing fans of Eventing Nation one of our most off-the-wall activations yet.

It all rests on five words: DJ Chinch. Go Eventing Podcast.

In honor of our brand new Go Eventing Podcast, we’ve decided to build our mascot, Chinch the Chinchilla, a roving DJ booth. Throughout the Kentucky Three Day Event, he’s going to be roving around the Kentucky Horse Park blasting his favorite tunes and giving away a set of exclusive stickers. To receive your sticker pack and add your favorite song to his playlist, snap a photo with Chinch and share it to social media, using #ChasetheChinch and tag @goeventing.

You can also play Chase the Chinch even if you’re not here! You can enter the Go Eventing Giveaway for your chance to win one of the following prizes: $600 worth of gift cards from Kentucky Performance Products, Equestly, and Ride EquiSafe, an RTIC cooler backpack from Sentinel Horse Feed, free feed from Sentinel Horse Feed, a Dana Crossbody Bag from Majyk Equipe, or a pair of Equilibrium Tri-Zone boots from World Equestrian Brands.

Click here to enter or fill out the form below.

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Since the Kentucky Horse Park is a pretty big place, we’ve decided to give you a helping hand. We’ll be sharing clues to Chinch’s location on our Instagram and Facebook stories.

If you’d like to listen in to the group playlist we’ll be compiling while at Kentucky, you can find it here or by searching for Chase the Chinch on Spotify.

If you see Chinch while you’re out and about, stop us and ask to snap a picture with Chinch!

5* Rookie Shannon Lilley Won’t Accept ‘No’ for an Answer

By Veronica Green-Gott on Apr 20, 2025 9:00 am -

Photo by Abby Powell.

In 2011, doctors told Shannon Lilley that she would never ride again and should adjust her expectations as far as her future quality of life. In 2025, she’s proving them very, very wrong. She’ll be competing in her first CCI5* at the Kentucky Three Day Event aboard her long-time partner, Eindhoven Garette.

“I’m probably your oldest rookie. I went to the Pan American Games in 2011 and then had a fairly devastating spine injury three months later,” Shannon said. “They told me I wouldn’t ride again. They told me I’d be lucky to have any sort of quality of life. I didn’t really ride my first five years. But I’m not one to settle for mediocre. I’m not one to settle when you tell me no.”

While Shannon is not our oldest rookie (Mary Bess Davis has her beat by just one year), she may be the one who’s made the biggest comeback. The more people that told Shannon to give up, the more determined she became. “I just kept plugging away and trying to get better and get more healing back. And here we are,” she said.

Where we are is less than a week out from Shannon and “Garette” walking into the iconic Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park to contest in their first 5*. It’s a big moment for any rider, to say the least. Life-altering may even be a better description. Shannon and “Gare Bear” have been together since COVID. When she first met him, he didn’t necessarily look like your classic 5* horse.

“When he first came, he was enormous,” Shannon said, laughing. “He was so fat. He had been in a field for a little bit too long, because it had been COVID and whatever. And he came to my barn, and I said, ‘Oh my gosh. He looks like a Care Bear.’ And so we started calling him Gare Bear.”

Since then, Shannon and Gare Bear have been working their way up through the levels to this moment– a process which hasn’t always been smooth sailing. “When we first got him, he would spin around and he might put me on the dirt, but you get used to that,” Shannon said. “You train for that and he’s much better now. Each year he grows up and he gets better. He’s quite good now and he goes in the ring like he’s all business. He probably has the best work ethic I’ve ever had in a horse.”

To me, a horse that spins and puts you in the dirt sounds like an interesting choice for someone who has previously had a life-altering (and not riding-related, I might add) spine injury, but Shannon persevered. Dressage is still their weakest phase, but as any eventer knows, the Kentucky Three Day Event is not a dressage competition. Garette and Shannon will be focusing on their two strongest phases: cross country and show jumping.

Shannon Lilley and Eindhoven Garette. Photo by Sally Spickard.

“He’s developed into a very good cross country horse and he’s a good show jumper,” Shannon said. “He wants to be careful. We plug away on the flat, like always. It’s getting better. I feel like training them to this level takes a long time, and he’s definitely so much better than last year. And we’re gonna do what we can do.”

Shannon and Gare Bear entered in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4* at Kentucky last year, but did not get the opportunity to run cross country. “We had a bit of a setback, unfortunately,” Shannon said. “He went and did a dressage test, but he wasn’t 100 percent. I chose not to run him, although I think the course would have been amazing and I think he would have done really well. It’s his type of course.”

To prepare for this month’s 5*, the pair ran the Advanced at the American Eventing Championships instead. “I thought he did a good job. It asked a lot of questions. I thought it was hard, and he cruised around and he felt great on the ground there and seemed really good.”

“I think it’s really important before you go to Kentucky to know what you have as a base. He’s done the Hagyard Midsouth Three Day Event there, and some other things. He does run well at Kentucky, so I knew that part,” Shannon continued. “You always worry about the distance, and the hills, and this and that. He’s done Morven Park twice and he found the distance fine. And then he did Bromont once, and he found that distance fine, too. And both of those are our hilliest and our longest courses around.”

Garette’s workman-like nature will pay off as he gallops across the 6,000+ meter cross country course. “He really has a lot of run in him, and so I’m hoping the distance is fine for him,” Shannon said. “I don’t know how I could have prepared him better, just because those events are some of the toughest ones in the country.”

Shannon Lilley and Eindhoven Garette. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Shannon will be fulfilling a childhood dream when she trots into the dressage ring in April. “This is big for me, emotionally,” she said. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I honestly didn’t know if it would ever happen. You always hope that you’re good enough on the day, but it’s been quite the climb back up to this moment. So to me, that is more rewarding. For my first 5* to be Kentucky is a lifelong dream. It has so much meaning behind it; it’s a really big deal.”

While it’s a big moment for herself, Shannon’s bigger focus is how to do right by her horse. “I’m very lucky to have the horse I have. I think he’s really special and he deserves the shot,” Shannon said. “As far as my goals, I want to finish. I’m not going to win. I want to do what’s best for my horse and I want to make sure he gets the credit he deserves. There might be things that we need to take options on, and I want to make sure I’m smart and responsible and get him home safely and listen to him.”

As she heads into the final stretch before the big event, Shannon’s keeping her mindset cuttingly realistic. “Honestly, you have to stay true to where you are in training,” she said. “I feel like I have certain strengths and weaknesses as a rider, we all do. I’m very realistic as far as being smart and hoping that the dressage is good enough, but sometimes ignorance is bliss. I have no idea what to expect.”

Shannon’s had some help on the road to Kentucky, particularly from seasoned 5* eventer Buck Davidson, who she describes as both a friend and mentor. One piece of advice from Buck has stuck in Shannon’s head, “You always know so much more on Saturday night of the five star than you did on Saturday morning.”

When Shannon gallops by on the historic blue grass of the Kentucky Horse Park on Saturday, raise a glass to her. She’s living proof that the right mix of determination and perseverance can create a life-changing cocktail.

EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.

Horse & Human Nutrition with Ema Klugman: Six Horses, Two Types of Grain, & One Big Bag of Carrots

By Veronica Green-Gott on Apr 18, 2025 12:30 pm -

Ema Klugman and RF Redfern. Photo by Sally Spickard.

If you were to run into five-star event rider (and Eventing Nation writer) Ema Klugman at an event, she comes across as unflappable, composed, and dang near serene. I wasn’t at all surprised when I asked her about her feeding philosophy for her horses and her response was straightforward. “We try to keep it fairly simple. Most of our horses are on one grain and one or two supplements.”

Ema doesn’t strike me as the type of rider or horse owner to be swayed by the latest trends and worry about what new supplements are on the market. After speaking to her, I’d have to describe her feeding routine as, ‘if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.’

However, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t vary routine based on the individual needs of each horse in her string. “They need protein, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, all that good stuff, just like a person would. And then on top of that, our high-performance horses, which are pretty much all the horses that we have, need additional support and fuel to do the high level sport that they do,” Ema said. “We do vary their feed depending on the time of year or the lead up to a big competition or something like that. If they’re on a holiday, for example, they’re going to usually get half the grain that they would get if it were the week that they’re arriving at a five-star event.”

Having received three A-level Pony Club ratings and with an impressive competition career under her belt, Ema is far from uneducated on horsemanship. All that experience means that Ema has a critical eye when it comes to her horses’ appearance and condition, as any horseman worth their salt should.

“I feel like you can never have all the horses looking exactly the way we want them. You always have to be tweaking stuff. We vary their programs sometimes to try to get it exactly right and get them feeling right,” Ema said.

But when it comes to feeding, even she calls in the big guns– nutritionists from Sentinel Horse Feed.

“We have really great help from Sentinel. They have a few experts, but they have one locally, Remy Nash, who is great. She looks at our horses intermittently and suggests changes,” Ema continued. “We go over how they’re feeling and how that correlates with how they look, and what changes we might make, or if there’s a different feed we might try, or something like that. It’s all trying to figure out how to maximize the feed that we can give them, to give them the best chance of performing well.”

With the help of these nutritionists, Ema has created a feeding routine that is comprehensive, meeting all of her horses’ needs, but also surprisingly simple. The majority of her string of six horses are high-performance and have similar needs, so just two grains cover all their needs.

“We feed two basic grains. One of them is Sentinel Performance LS, which is my go-to. It’s a really good, fairly high-protein, well-balanced feed. It’s an extruded feed, meaning that it’s like puffed wheat, almost, making it super easy to soak,” Ema said. “Other grains, when they eat them, expand a lot in their stomach because they soak up a lot of the fluid, if that makes sense. Because this is already puffed up, it soaks it up in a way that kind of works better with their gut.”

The other grain you’ll find in her feed room is Sentinel XT Pro, which appears similar to a sweet feed. According to Ema, her horses give it rave reviews. “They love it. If you put a handful in the bottom of a bucket of water, they will drink the entire bucket of water just to get to the bottom of it. I mean, they love it.”

If you’re looking for a feeding program to replicate for your semi-retired horse that you hop on a couple times a week, don’t imitate this one. Competition horses have different needs than the everyday equine, in the same way that a triathlete or body builder needs significantly more calories than someone like me, who works out a couple times a week, but spends most of the day at my desk. For Ema’s top performers, like Bronte Beach Z, she has worked with her nutritionist to balance the energy needed for cross country with the mental stability and bulk muscle needed in the dressage ring.

Ema Klugman and RF Redfern at Great Meadow. Photo by Sally Spickard.

“The advanced horses really need lean muscle, and we don’t want them to be heavy. We focus way more on protein than fat. Obviously I think you need both, but we tend to focus on protein. For horses like Bronte, for example, who we want to be really trim by the time she gets to Kentucky, or whatever big event she’s going to, we need a lot of protein. We don’t want to add an extra 20 pounds to her because we don’t want her to be carrying that around on cross country,” Ema said.

But a five-star horse also needs to have the right diet to keep their cool, instead of running around like a toddler who just ate a pillow case’s worth of Halloween candy. “When they start getting super fit, they eat quite a bit because they need the energy. But at the same time, that can be a little bit hard in the dressage ring,” Ema said. “They’re really fit to gallop a long way, but they still have to behave and stay relaxed for the time that they’re in the dressage arena.”

Feeding a five-star horse is a high-risk business. Without the right support, the risk of a career-ending injury can increase. “They need a lot of energy to not only do that event, but in all of the training leading up to it. They need to be well-supported, because if they don’t have what they need, the risk of injury is higher. There are all sorts of things that can happen if they don’t have the nutritional reserves that they need,” Ema continued.

Ema does have some advice for those of us who aren’t sitting on a five-star horse that needs high-octane fuel. When adjusting your horse’s diet, look at the big picture– not just physically, but mentally. What are they telling you? How are they feeling?

“Indications that they would need more feed, or maybe a different type of feed that’s higher in protein or fat, would be if they’ve dropped weight, if they’re having trouble maintaining their top line, if their coat looks maybe a little dull,” Ema said.

When making adjustments to your horse’s diet, look beyond changing their grain. According to Ema, “It may not just be feed. Maybe they need to be on alfalfa or something, instead of just an orchard grass type of hay. We’re always making sure that they’re feeling okay, especially when they’re traveling, we’re pretty proactive about that. If they’re wild and big, we would generally cut the grain to try to have a little bit less energy and a little bit less weight on them. So I would say it’s a combination of how they look and how they feel.”

And don’t do your horse a disservice by assuming that because they’ve always eaten one way– they’ll always eat that way. “Some of them are much harder keepers than others and you’re scratching your head trying to figure out exactly what they need and when and why,” Ema said. “And it varies over time– maybe when they were younger, they needed less protein and now they’re a little bit older, they need something else.”

Ema’s philosophy of keeping it simple applies to her horse’s hydration as well as their feed. Keeping her horses’ drinking is particularly important for Ema as she travels often, competing up and down the East Coast. If they’re having a hard time keeping up with their hydration, they get their feed soaked.

“When we travel, we will put a little bit of Sentinel XT grain in the bottom of a feed bucket and they love drinking that. I also find that if all the horses are in the trailer, and one of them is super into drinking, the other ones are like, ‘Oh, what’s in that bucket? I want some of that.’ There’s a little bit of peer pressure involved,” Ema said.

Ema Klugman and Bendigo. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Have you ever chugged water and then gone for a run? It doesn’t feel great. Ema’s horses can feel the same way at big events.

“With hydration, it’s not like on the day of a big event you try to get them to drink more. You just want them to drink as much as they feel their body needs. We don’t want them to drink a ton of water right before they go cross country, just like you wouldn’t do that before you go on a big run. But I think the science now is that when you finish cross country, they can drink as much as they want to,” Ema said.

Like 99 percent of equestrians (including myself), Ema thinks more about her horse’s health than her own. When I asked her about her own “feeding routine,” she said she tries to eat healthy, but isn’t a “guru” about it.

“I try to eat very healthy,” Ema said. “Leading up to a big event, I probably wouldn’t change too much. I try to make sure that I have the energy I need on cross country mornings, so I eat a good breakfast.”

In short, for Ema, food is fuel. She thinks about what she’ll need for the day ahead and then adjusts from there. But, as anyone who’s ever been to a horse show knows, food at events isn’t exactly the most nutritious.

“It’s important to try to bring food with you when you go to a horse show or have a plan of how to eat, so that you don’t end up just buying a thing of French fries,” Ema said. “You need to have sandwiches or snacks or something that is fairly healthy, but that will also give you energy. It doesn’t have to be a piece of lettuce.”

As for Ema, “I have been known to have a very large bag of baby carrots and hummus pretty much at all times.”

This article is brought to you in partnership with Sentinel Horse Feed. Learn more about everything Sentinel has to offer your horse here.

5* Rookie Cassie Sanger is Starting A New Chapter

By Veronica Green-Gott on Apr 18, 2025 9:00 am -

Cassie Sanger and Redfield Fyre. Photo by Sally Spickard.

At just 20 years old, Cassie Sanger is our youngest competitor in the CCI5* lineup for the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event. 2025 has marked a big year for the young rider. Not only is she contesting her first CCI5* at the Kentucky Three Day Event this April, she also recently moved to her parent’s farm in Ocala, FL, over the winter and will be changing from amateur to professional status.

One thing has remained constant for Cassie– her partnership with Redfield Fyre (Canabis Z x Tiona, by Guidam), who she purchased when she was 15. “We had a pretty big year for him last year, in the sense that he really stepped up to the Advanced level,” she said. “This is truly his second full season at the level, but he was just amazing last year. He did his first CCI4* at Kentucky last year, followed by Bicton, then Bramham.”

Also new for 2025, is “Yogi’s” status as a team horse. Together, Cassie and Yogi were selected to join the Boekelo team last year. “We went to Boekelo this past fall and he was incredible,” Cassie said. “I had the best cross country round I’ve ever had on him there.”

Cassie purchased Yogi from Carolina Pamukcu five years ago with big goals and dreams for the 12-year-old KWPN gelding. “We’ve always hoped for this moment for him. Now that it’s come, it’s been really exciting,” she said. “He and I have really grown up together, because I was riding every day when I first got him. I wasn’t even in school for the first year I got him because of COVID. So we’ve really had our time together, which is a nice feeling going into our first five star.”

Cassie came close to attempting her first five star last year, with Fernhill Zorro. Unfortunately, Zorro sustained an injury less than a month out from the Maryland Five Star, taking them out of the running. Zorro is just now coming back into work. Having been through this process once before only to be sidelined at the last minute, Cassie isn’t counting her chickens before they hatch.

“I feel good because we know that much more and we’re more on top of things now, not that we weren’t before, but you take it up that whole next level. You’re always learning,” she said.

Cassie Sanger and Redfield Fyre compete at Boekelo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

After competing in the CCI4* at Carolina International, Cassie says Yogi is feeling excellent heading into Kentucky. “It’s good practice, but he’s feeling great through his body, and he’s jumping very well and then cross country, he was super,” Cassie said. “He gave me a really, really good feeling, especially how big and technical that track was. He’s feeling in good form.”

“He can go inwards on himself,” she continued. “He definitely takes in all of his surroundings and will internalize them. I just have to do my job to really keep him with me in an atmosphere like that at Carolina, which will be ten times bigger at Kentucky.”

Cassie says it’s even more meaningful that her first five star will take place at the Kentucky Horse Park, instead of at the Maryland Five Star as she had originally planned. “When I was really little, Kentucky was the first big event I had ever heard about. I would always dream about riding in the five star at Kentucky.”

Atmosphere can be hugely impactful for Yogi’s focus and concentration. The Kentucky Horse Park is arguably the most atmospheric venue in the United States, particularly in the Rolex Stadium. However, Cassie feels Yogi actually really enjoys competing at the Horse Park.

“I’ve taken him to Kentucky twice before in the past, once for the American Eventing Championships, and then last year in the CCI4*-S,” she said. “He absolutely loves the venue. It’s hard because I’m a little superstitious, but I have a good feeling about it all for him.”

Naturally competitive, Cassie is trying to take a different perspective on this event. “I’m trying to really focus on doing my best for this event,” she said. “I’m very competitive, and I’m so hard on myself, and will put so much pressure on myself, but at the same time, I think that’s when I also do my best. Everything I’ve done has been for this moment, especially with this horse. When I first got him when I was 15, I always believed he could be my five star horse. Whenever I get a little wound up or nervous, I just remember that he’s going for a reason and that we’ve been together for a while.”

Cassie Sanger and Redfield Fyre. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Yogi has had his fair share of doubters along the way to their first five star. Cassie also struggled as she was developing Yogi up the levels, while still learning herself. “He has been amazing since I’ve had him, and it’s been a wonderful journey. But that’s not to say there hasn’t been blood, sweat and tears– and that would be an understatement,” Cassie said. “As I’ve gotten more on the scene of team competitions as well, I’ve had to think about that aspect. Two or two and a half years ago, there were definitely a lot of points where we weren’t sure if we would continue with this horse. There were just a lot of question marks around him.”

“It was hard because he was just slower to develop, really, is the honest answer,” she continued. “I wasn’t a professional, and so I was developing him as I was learning too. It was a big learning curve. I remember my coach said to me one time, ‘This horse is never going to be a team horse.’ So for him to have come out last year and make the Boekelo Team was such an exciting moment for him. It’s all turned around in the last year.”

An additional roadblock along the way to the Kentucky Three Day Event was Cassie’s second life as a full-time student at the University of Richmond. Moving to her parent’s farm in Ocala and going to school has left her a little more independent than she usually is. Luckily, Leslie Law has been available to help her.

“I would say, the biggest bumps along the road that have come up while getting prepared have just been scheduling, figuring out galloping, and all that. I’m also a full-time student at the University of Richmond, so I work with Leslie very closely to plan out my gallops and how all of that’s going to go,” Cassie said. “The beginning of this winter was when I really did go out on my own, because that’s when my family got a farm in Ocala. I still work with Leslie nearly weekly, and we’re always calling or meeting about plans. So that’s been awesome, and I go over there for lessons whenever I can.”

“I’m managing it on my own compared to last fall, where I was in more of a program,” she continued. “I had my previous coach, Caitlin Silliman, helping me with that more. So this year has been much more independent. I’ve really learned so much since being more independent, particularly about fitness. We’ve actually started swimming Yogi before this event, in addition to galloping and aqua treading.”

At the end of the day, Cassie’s approach to Kentucky has focused on education above all else. Education for herself, for her horse, and for the future.

Photo by Abby Powell.

“I feel like I’ve been someone that learns so much from big opportunities like this,” she said. “I suck in all the information I can. I’m just excited to be around an event like this and learn what it’s like to be on this different stage.”

Completing the Kentucky Three Day Event would cement Yogi and Cassie’s place as an Advanced pair and open doors for their future together. “I keep on learning a ton, which is honestly a really fun part of it,” Cassie said. “It’s been a lot, but it’s exciting. I feel like I’m starting a new chapter and a new phase of my career.”

EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.

A Weekend of Excitement is Around the Corner at the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International CCI & Horse Trial

By Veronica Green-Gott on Mar 4, 2025 12:30 pm -

Emily Hamel and Corvett. Photo by Sally Spickard.

The Carolina Horse Park is gearing up for the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International CCI and Horse Trial on March 13th – 16th, 2025. Only a few weeks away, attendees can anticipate a week full of fun for the whole family, featuring Olympic competitors, food trucks, a Vendor Village, and free Kids’ Zone, with bouncy houses, climbing walls, and more.

Competitors can expect new ideas from this year’s course designer, Derek Di Grazia, who is stepping in to design the cross country tracks at the park. Also new this year– the Carolina International CCI is officially a qualifier for the US Equestrian Open. This unique competition will span all three Olympic disciplines (dressage, eventing, and show jumping) with nationwide competitions culminating in a final that will award nearly $1 million in total prize money across the sports. As a qualifier for possibly the biggest competition spanning all Olympic disciplines, the stakes have only gotten higher this year at the Horse Park, making for an even more exciting weekend than usual.

There’s still time for spectators to become a Carolina Club Member and reap the benefits of CDP Stables’ Carolina Club. Enjoy exhilarating action, southern hospitality, and premier ringside viewing, featuring a VIP tent at the show jumping and cross country venues. On Thursday, club members can a continental breakfast as well as light fare by Salty Boards Crafted Charcuterie while overlooking the dressage action. On Friday and Saturday, club members will have exclusive access to a seating area for show jumping and cross country, featuring the best view in the park for live action competition in the show jumping ring and closed-circuit TVs for taking in the cross country action. Members will be provided with a continental breakfast, luncheon buffet, and open bar from 10 a.m to 4 p.m., Thursday-Sunday. Become a club member here.

Will Coleman and Diabolo. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Those looking to support the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International CCI and Horse Trial, a charitable non-profit corporation, can sponsor a cross country jump. New sponsorship levels and packages are available this year, as well as standard sponsorship packages. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Find out more information here.

Competitors and spectators alike are welcome to join 5* event rider Ariel Grald on the Emerald Valley Natural Health Cross Country Course Walk on Wednesday the 12th, at noon. Free to all, attendees will be able to get an inside look at Derek Di Grazia’s incredible course from an internationally recognized competitor. Those interested in joining the course walk are encouraged to park along Karen’s Way before meeting at the cross country start box at noon.

As always, events like these wouldn’t be able to exist without the support of some amazing volunteers. Volunteer opportunities are still available for those who would like to experience working behind-the-scenes at an amazing competition! Sign up here.

With only a few weeks to go until the first riders enter the ring and salute at X, don’t miss out on your chance to enjoy all that the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International CCI and Horse Trial has to offer! Find out how you can enjoy the upcoming weekend on our website.

The Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International CCI and Horse Trial is a world class equestrian competition in the Sandhills of North Carolina. Leveraging local and national expertise and leadership, we continue to deliver an outstanding weekend of horse sport and entertainment for riders, owners, patrons, sponsors and visitors.

Carolina International CCI & H.T. (NC): [Website] [Competitor Info] [Spectator Info] [Carolina Club Tickets] [Volunteer]

Money-Saving Tips for Eventers on a Budget

By Veronica Green-Gott on Dec 16, 2024 10:00 am -

We would be nothing if it weren’t for our fans. Our team at Eventing Nation is so lucky that we have a dedicated fan base who appreciates our competition coverage, occasionally unhinged articles, and most importantly, our sense of humor. So, when I posted to our Instagram Story asking for your favorite money-saving tips, I should have expected a few tips that were just as unhinged as we are!

To start this article off on the right note, I present to you my favorite piece of advice, which is, apparently, that we should all be knitting our horses’ festive hats. Not to save money, but just for the heck of it.

“It doesn’t save money, but knitting your horse festive hats.” – @cathemurr

The most common tip was to get out of horses, entirely. I couldn’t help but notice that this one mostly came from the professionals among us…

“Sell your horse.” – @hanniesue

“Don’t own a horse.” – @paradoxfarmsporthorses

“Get out of horses entirely 😂” – Ema Klugman

But the majority of our fans were more serious, presenting advice like getting horse insurance. Just a note here– when putting a value on your horse for insurance purposes, make sure to take into account training rides, competition records, etc.

“Insurance is worth every penny.” – @ashleekazam

How much have you spent on horse treats lately? Instead of spending beaucoup bucks on name-brand treats, one eventer suggests trying Dumor Horse Treats. I can confirm, even my picky eater really likes these treats.

“Dumor Horse Treats.” – Katie Lichten

Now, I would suggest taking this next piece of advice at your own risk. I have not tried this myself, and I’m fairly certain my saddle fitter would have my head for possible seat damage to my saddle.

“Need breeches in a pinch? Throw some electric tape on the seat of your leggings.” – @equestri_ange

Here’s a classic piece of advice– working off board by putting in some extra shifts at the barn. I’ve been doing this off and on for the entirety of my riding career. When money gets tight, it’s my go-to hack.

“Trade barn work for decreased board. Save up your wants for holidays and add to your wish list! Buy used from local consignment shops like Snooty Fox.” – @helenddear

Buying used tack was also suggested several times. I would add to this consigning tack you no longer use! Nothing feels better than selling a saddle and recycling the money into a new saddle. Don’t forget to check online tack stores for used sections as well.

“I buy all my tack used. Gently used tack is plentiful!” – @Katieesheaa

“Second-hand tack stores! You can get really good used blankets and bridles.” – @s_byars_eventing

Speaking of tack stores, work at your local tack store in what little spare time you have! Many tack stores offer their employees a discount.

“Get a part time job at a tack store. But for real: work as much as you can- make connections in the horse world, be useful. Learn how to braid on your own, learn how to clip, buy used.” – @towzeepants

And, if you really want to save some money, half-lease a horse or, if you have the skill and experience, offer to put training rides on someone else’s horse for free or for a fee.

“Riding for someone else.” – @_alisonfish

Don’t underestimate the power of the Dollar Store or 5 Below! Personally, I get the majority of my first aid supplies there, such as povidone iodine solution, neosporin, diapers, and more. You can also find Witch Hazel, hair brushes for their mane and tail, and all the boxes and totes you could ever need to keep your tack room organized.

“Dollar store for grooming products and organization.” – @megpellegriniequestrian

If multiple people in your barn buy SmartPaks, you can have them all delivered on the same day to get free shipping. Before you hit “checkout,” send a text to your barn group chat to see if anyone else needs something. You can split shipping or get free shipping.

“Order things as a group to get free shipping more easily & don’t feel as tempted to spend big money. Buy snacks at the grocery store BEFORE driving to the show!” – @eventing.hiking.pharmacy

Speaking of supplements, buying them in bulk can often save you a few dollars. But, be nice to your barn owner and separate them out into reusable sandwich bags or other containers for convenience.

“Buy supplements in bulk and create your own SmartPaks.” – @daijasams

When it comes to clothing, try shopping at big box stores, instead of boutique sites. Check Wal-Mart and TJ Maxx for athletic shirts at half the price. Or, if you’d like to be more environmentally friendly, try looking at second-hand shops or online sites like Depop.

“Buy your riding shirts from Amazon, not brand sites 🙌 Hell of a lot cheaper and work just as well.” – @autoimmuneequestrian

“I’ve found some great brand name sun shirts meant for other sports at TJ Maxx for great prices. And my XC shirt is from Wal-Mart!” – @kloushin

“I get my polos from Old Navy!!” – @barreracaden

Any single people looking for a useful life partner out there? This veterinarian suggests marrying into the career to get all the benefits of free vet bills and none of the medical school debt.

“Marry a veterinarian so your bills are free.” – @elliottequinevet

And finally, try getting more horses and refusing to look at your bank account. This works even better if all of your horses are the same color and start to blend together…

“Just keep getting more and more, then you won’t notice!!” – @_emma.paul

Are you testing out one of these money-saving hacks (or knitting your horse a festive hat)? Post it on social media and tag @goeventing! We just might share your post.

A big thank you to Arena Saddles for their support of this article! For a limited time only, you’ll receive a FREE Arena Saddle Pad with the purchase of their brand new Arena Monoflap Jump Saddle. The single-flap design offers an intimate feel, allowing you to maintain a balanced and supportive seat on the flat and over fences. Learn more about their newest monoflap saddle here.

Hyperion Stud U25 Award: U25 Program Puts Community First, Competition Second at VHC Eventing

By Veronica Green-Gott on Nov 21, 2024 9:30 am -

The U25 CCI2*-L Podium at VHC Eventing. Photo by Veronica Green-Gott.

As the U25 competitors at VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square, stepped up to the podium, I couldn’t help but think about what other podiums might be in their future. Would we one day see these same smiling faces at a press conference under the chandeliers of the media room at the Kentucky Horse Park? If that day comes to pass, those who attended VHC Eventing this fall can say that they’ve been watching these riders develop from the start.

Sponsored by Hyperion Stud and organized by Area II Young Rider Coordinator Chris Donovan, Show Organizer Joanie Morris, and President of the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, Roxanne Booth, the U25 award recognizes competitors under the age of 25 as they grind their way to the top of the sport. When these young riders are one-day navigating the uncertainty of making a living as a professional eventer, they’ll have a close-knit community of peers to lean on, thanks to the U25 program.

The program assigned every rider under the age of 25 who was competing in an FEI division to a team. Ideally grouped by Area, there were also scramble teams as needed. Throughout the weekend these competitors were invited to attend select social events to build connections and a sense of community among the riders.

“I firmly believe they are the future of the sport, whether they go on to be on a Pan-American team or become future trainers,” Chris said. “Helping develop and build that camaraderie between them is so important, which is why we create U25 teams and encourage them to get to know each other and build a network to support them.”

The Virginia Horse Center has always been a hub of activity for some of the biggest professionals in Area II and beyond. Hawk-eyed fans will spot names like Phillip Dutton, Ema Klugman, Tim Bourke, and Sharon White listed among the scores. Up-and-coming riders can take advantage of this network of elite eventers thanks to the efforts of the U25 program.

“We have a lot of upper level riders who are here. These kids have an opportunity to go on to become grooms or working students, and they can make those connections while they’re here, right?” Chris said.

For Emeline Gilbert, the U25 competition added to an already exciting weekend. Emeline came in third overall in the CCI2*-S, thereby winning the division among U25 riders, with Albano (Arctic x Lucy May, by Lesotho), owned by Robert Meyerhoff. With dreams of becoming a professional, she worked for Bobby Meyerhoff for eight years and recently started working for Sharon White, who won the CCI2*-L division with Arden Augustus. Emeline also competed her own EWSZ Mozart (Magnum FFT x Ella Cinder, by Laiken) in the CCI3*-L division.

Emeline Gilbert and Albano. Photo by Veronica Green-Gott.

“I was lucky enough to have Albano finish third overall in the CCI2*-S, and so he was top of the U25. That was pretty special to have that bit of extra reward. And then my three-star horse, EWSZ Mozart– I was extremely happy with him. It was nice that he was able to place second in the U25,” Gilbert said. “I think the U25 groups create a bit of camaraderie with the other riders. One of my good friends, Audrey Ogan, was first in the CCI3*-S for the U25 division. So it’s really nice to see that come through for her as well.”

In both of her divisions, Emeline was competing against five-star eventers, including her new boss, Sharon White, as well as Tim Bourke, Valerie Pride, and Allison Springer. She says that the U25 program allows her to compare herself against her peers, instead of looking at the overall division.

“The U25 creates a bit of a separation from the big open FEI division that you’re in. So even if you don’t stack up well against the big group of professionals, there is the U25 which is comparing you more with your generation,” Emeline said. “So I think it’s nice to have the recognition on that side of things and see how you’re comparing that way. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you finish in the top 20 and, yeah, that’s good, but you’re not in the numbers as much because the FEI divisions can be so big and there’s so many professionals in them. I think it’s nice that they have the U25 to separate that a little bit and give you the extra boost of like, ‘Hey, you are doing a good job because you compare well with your age group.’ Plus, that’s going to be the next generation of professionals. So I think it definitely makes you more competitive that way, too.”

VHC Eventing wasn’t Emeline’s first introduction to the U25 program. She took part in the Bromont Rising Program in 2023. “I definitely think U25 has brought me some connections. At Bromont Rising, I got to meet Bettina Hoy and work with her,” Emeline said. ”I think that obviously creates a bit of connection there, and you can use them in the future. And it’s not just like reaching out to a professional that you’ve never met before, which can definitely be a little intimidating. I think it’s nice to have someone who’s laid eyes on you and your horses before. If you’re at a show, you can reach out to them, because they do know you’re riding a little bit. I think that’s always useful to kind of have those connections.”

This month marked Emeline’s first time taking part in the U25 program at the Virginia Horse Center. “I think the U25 offered there is definitely nice. Like I said, it’s just helpful to have a bit of recognition and competition within your age group. I think they do a really good job recognizing that younger group of talent,” Emeline said.

Riding her own Redfield Champion (Diarado x Calinka, by Contendro I), Katherine Maroko also placed third overall in the CCI2*-L division, winning the U25 CCI2*-L on a score of 35.6. Katherine splits her time between going to college and working as head groom for Hannah Sue Hollberg, who came to the event to cheer her on.

“I think that the U25 program is always really interesting to see at events, because I know that a lot of the coordinators always work really hard to have various events throughout the weekend where the different competitors are able to meet each other and create a sense of community,” Katherine said. “It’s all really exciting to be able to see other people more often that we don’t always get to see because we’re all spread out, and then have that sense of community when you win something with a team at the end. Throughout the event, I was able to get to meet some people that I haven’t really had the chance to talk to before. So that was a fun part of the weekend.”

As head groom for a five-star eventer, Katherine makes a lot of connections as she travels for various events with Hannah Sue. But she says that the U25 programs help take those connections to the next level. “With the U25 programs, we definitely interact with a lot of the same people. I’m able to make connections better and through the U25 I’m able to get to know people that usually I would only see in passing,” she said.

Katherine Maroko and Redfield Champion. Photo by Veronica Green-Gott.

While not to the same degree as compared to Areas in the middle of the country, Area II is relatively spread out. Unless young riders are in a program with a five-star eventer, they may not have the opportunity to build a community and make connections without the support of a program like U25. Katherine knows firsthand just how much of a difference programs like this one can make.

“All the work that Chris Donovan and everyone else puts into these types of programs to make sure that every time we have a bigger event in our area, we’re able to have all these socials to help create this community. I’ve seen so many close-knit groups of friends over the years that have been founded from these types of programs. I think it’s really wonderful the work that gets put into creating that community,” Katherine said.

Previously the sponsor of an award to the top-placed 6- or 7-year-old horse at VHC Eventing in May 2024, Hyperion Stud is once again supporting the future of eventing this November by sponsoring the U25 award. Vicky Castegren, founder of Hyperion Stud, knows how important it is to develop high caliber riders capable of partnering with the quality of horse that she breeds, as well as developing their own young horses.

“We are so proud to partner with VHC Eventing to present the U25 Award. It is very exciting to see how hard these young riders work to achieve their goals in the sport, and it’s so important to recognize that hard work with awards like this,” Vicky said. “These riders are the future of our sport and it’s wonderful to see these rising talents developing their horses. I am sure we will see them on the podium one day, representing the United States internationally, and we will know it started right here in Virginia!”

Putting the Bow on Top of a Great Weekend at VHC Eventing, Presented by Capital Square

By Veronica Green-Gott on Nov 10, 2024 6:32 pm -

Sharon White & Arden Augustus. Photo by Veronica Green-Gott

Lexington, Va.– Whether competing on a U25 team or riding in a senior division, an exciting weekend of sport was had by all at VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square. With over 450 riders flocking to the historic venue, all three phases ran concurrently with both sides of the cross country course in use and multiple rings in session. This weekend’s winners rose above the fray to take home well-earned blue ribbons.

Having won the CCI2*-S at VHC Eventing in May, Sharon White and Arden Augustus, owned by Anita Antenucci, bookended their season with nearly identical wins, however this weekend marked “Gus’s” first long-format event. 2024 also marked the pair’s first full season at the FEI level. Entering the show jumping phase on a score of 30.2, one rail wasn’t enough to knock the pair out of the lead.

“I was really pleased with him,” White said. “I had the rail and thought I’d lost it, but he was jumping well and it was just that I needed to help him a bit more– and don’t have another one.”

White is well-known for producing her own horses from the ground up and Gus is no different. The five-star eventer planned her season with an eye to Gus’s future and chose to enter the CCI2*-L at the Virginia Horse Center to help build the 6-year-old gelding’s base of fitness. “My whole year has been just about letting his body mature and letting him get stronger. And I debated whether he needed to do the two long or not. But then the hills of Virginia are so intense– I think it’s a really useful base for a horse. So that’s why he was here in Virginia, specifically for the hills, which, again, you’re always looking to put a good, solid base, or foundation of fitness on an event horse.”

Local to Summit Point, West Virginia, White travels to the Virginia Horse Center relatively often. She believes that competing at the venue is educational for horses and riders. “The horses have to learn about competing on terrain. Riders have to learn about competing on terrain. So I was here to give my horses an education on that, because everywhere else the hills are easier, right?” White said, laughing. “The Virginia Horse Center Foundation is just doing such a good job. I really appreciate anyone who puts on events and does their best.”

Hyperion Stud U25 Teams Award

The winning U25 teams in the CCI2*-L. Photo by Veronica Green-Gott

While the Virginia Horse Center is a popular stomping ground for upper level riders, this weekend also proved to be a big event for a large contingent of youth competitors. Area II coordinator Chris Donovan organized the U25 Team Challenge, sponsored by Hyperion Stud. Consisting of a total of 21 competitors, there were three teams in the CCI2*-L and two teams in the CCI1*-L, with two riders competing in the CCI3*-S division. Each winning team received the Hyperion Stud U25 Team Award.

The winning CCI2*-L team with a total score of 128.2, consisted of Katherine Maroko & Redfield Champion, Riley Zgrebnak & Cooley Criminal Mind, Megan Hopkins & Altaskin Jack, and Megan Loughnane & Lynton.

In the CCI1*-L division, with a score of 123.60, the winning team consisted of Ruth Rosendaul & Bonhunt Bertie, Mandolin Whitten & Bossanova, Jaelyn Corner & Loughnatousa Yours, and Lea-Claude Pelletier & Golden Nugget.

The CCI3*-S U25 winner was Audrey Ogan and Always Cooley, with a score of 65.7. The pair came in 5th in the division overall.

Area II coordinator Chris Donovan has a long history of involvement with the U25 program and is no stranger to organizing events at the Virginia Horse Center. “I firmly believe they are the future of the sport, whether they go on to be on a team, like at the Pan-American Games or something, or whether they become future trainers,” Donovan said. “Helping develop and build that camaraderie between them is so important, which is why we give U25 riders teams and encourage them to get to know each other and build a network to support them.”

Donovan believes that the U25 riders can learn a lot from competing at the Virginia Horse Center specifically because of the local community of riders. “We have a lot of the upper level riders who are here, and these kids have an opportunity to go on to become grooms or working students for those riders. They can make those connections while they’re here,” Donovan said.

Wrapping Up the National Divisions

The National divisions also wrapped up the weekend today, with the last rider crossing the finish line on cross country with perfect timing, as a cold drizzle had just started to come down over the Blue Ridge Mountains.

In the only Intermediate division, Olympian Phillip Dutton and Leonie Padgett’s Cooley Starship won with a score of 29.4.

Ryan Wood took home the blue in the Open Preliminary A division with his own Woodstock Indy on a score of 35.5. In Open Preliminary B, Dana Cooke and the FE Mississippi Syndicate LLC’s FE Mississippi came in first with a score of 50.4. Preliminary Rider was won by Devon Sutherland with her own Mega Bucks on a score of 52.6.

Kathleen Fitzgerald won Modified Rider aboard Michael Fitzgerald’s Spotted Chap, with a score of 31.3. Open Modified A crowned Alex Reed and Susan Southard’s Kayan winner with a score of 30.5. Meanwhile, Kirsten Schuitema and her own McCovey Cove claimed the blue ribbon with a score of 35.0 in the Open Modified B division.

There were a total of five Training divisions this weekend at VHC Eventing. A score of 40.6 gave Liana Anson and her own Biscuit Snatcher the win in the Junior Training Rider division. Erin Murphy and Haslemere Jacamo, owned by Rae Stone, laid down the lowest score of the weekend, a 20.6, to take home the blue ribbon in the Open Training division. Training Rider A was won by Kaleigh Barkaszi and her own Golightly with a score of 36.6. Meanwhile, Jaelyn Comer claimed the win with Uvera Z in the Training Rider B division with a score of 32.1. Finally, the last Training division, Training Horse, Abigail McGowan and her own Mystic Serenade achieved the winning score of 32.1.

In Junior Novice Rider, Madeline Riley and Alexandra Tatham’s Bobbie Burns won with a score of 29.4. With a score of 26.4, Hannah Brandt took home a blue ribbon with her horse, Fernhill Emerald, in the Novice Horse division. The blue ribbon in the Open Novice division was claimed by Marilyn Payne and her mare, Rock Me Mama, with a score of 30 even. Amanda Brady took home the title of Senior Novice Rider champion with Dante’s Haven LLC’s Cooley For Keeps with a score of 28.6.

Hannah Taylor and her mare Rippa won the Beginner Novice Horse division with a score of 32.4. With a score of 30, Madeleine Betzer and Domenica Kujawa’s Kenny (Nicas Last Laugh), brought home the blue in Junior Beginner Novice Rider. In Open Beginner Novice, Kylie Stangle and Janina Parmelee’s Redfield Mikke claimed the blue ribbon with a score of 25.6. Finally, it’s deja vu in the Senior Beginner Novice Rider division– Gina Keller and her gelding Snack Attack repeat their May performance to win again.

Last but certainly not least, Linda Jimenez won the Starter division with Ingrid Patel’s Cheeky Girl on a score of 27.

The Virginia Horse Center Foundation would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the volunteers who made this weekend possible. Without the hard work of volunteers at every possible turn, competitors would not have been able to enjoy a great weekend of eventing.

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Sharon White and Capital Square co-CEO Louis Rogers. Photo by Veronica Green-Gott

Autumn Hues While Eventing with a View: VHC Eventing Presented by Capital Square

By Veronica Green-Gott on Nov 9, 2024 7:30 pm -

Ali Kuhn and Little Hail. Photo by Veronica Green-Gott

Lexington, Va. – After an unseasonably warm weekend, competitors across all divisions took advantage of the crisp fall weather to add some extra energy to their mounts today at VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square. While three FEI divisions announced their winners, the CCI2*-L will wrap up tomorrow, along with the remaining 14 National divisions.

The winner of the CCI3*-S traveled a long way to accomplish her first place finish with a score of 45.4. Native to Wisconsin, Ali Kuhn and Little Hail, owned by John Crowell, were on the road for more than 15 hours to get to the Virginia Horse Center and had to stay overnight in Dayton, Ohio. According to Kuhn, “Hail” laid down a great performance despite a rocky start, making it well worth the trip.

“He was really lazy in warm-up, so that was kind of alarming. I thought, ‘If he wants to pull up because he’s tired, that’s what we’ll do,’” Kuhn said. “Then, we had to have a lead out of the startbox because he was on his hind legs. But then, he came out of the startbox really strong. He came out like fire. If it were up to him, he would steeplechase everything. It took him a bit to settle down, but then he felt awesome. It was my job at that point to just stay out of the way. He jumped right into the second water and he was so awesome. At that point I was like, ‘This is going to be an awesome ride today.’ He came across the finish line and felt like he still had a lot of energy left.”

While Kuhn says she would never leave Area IV, she’s no stranger to long hauls to compete. She attempts to go to a new event every season and is contemplating riding at Rebecca Farm next year. This year, she chose VHC Eventing.

“I’ve never been here before and it’s really cool. Every year I try to go to a new place, I want to see other places. The season is so short in Area IV, but they try really hard to offer great events,” Kuhn said. “I love that it’s still nice fall here. By us, we’re getting ready for winter. Conditioning this late in the season by us is hard. Coming out here and knowing that it’s going to be nice and dry was really great. It’s nice to come out here and show with other people who are doing this level. It’s nice to meet other people and see how other people do things– other ideas, other ways of doing things, and walking courses with people I’ve never walked with before. It’s been really helpful to get that variety and learn how other people do it.”

Sharon White and Arden Augustus. Photo by Haley Boothe

Spectators could be excused for experiencing some deja vu when they looked at the scores for the CCI2*-L. The winner of May’s CCI2*-S, Sharon White and Arden Augustus, are once again in the lead with a score of 30.2. Owned by Anita Antenucci, White has had a hand in “Gus’s” development since before birth.

“I bred him with Anita– we bred him together. I competed his mother, Juneau, so I’ve been there from the beginning. Mel, who works for Anita, started him in the beginning, which she always does, and she does a great job,” White said. “When it came to me, it was really just so easy. All the hard work was done. He’s a trier, and he’s solid in his mind. And he just always says, ‘Yes.’”

White credits Gus’s excellent work ethic with today’s result. “He’s been just a little rock star. He’s like a young teenage boy who just tries really hard,” White said. “I was really proud of him. He does not consider it to be a big deal, right? I thought it was a bigger deal because I think the hills here are impressive. But he was like, it’s fine.”

As the last FEI division to wrap-up, the two-star competitors still have to face the challenge of show jumping at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow. While she’s thrilled to be in the lead, White is trying not to dwell on her position prior to heading into the ring tomorrow morning.

“I’m really excited to be in the position of getting the challenge of going in there in the lead, which I don’t enjoy,” White said, laughing. “I prefer working my way up. Whatever happens, I’m so proud of him, and this weekend was really about developing his base, right? I do think that these hills will put a base on a horse, and that’s really what I wanted to do.”

Tim Bourke and Sing to Me Cooley. Photo by Veronica Green-Gott

Virginia native Tim Bourke and Sing to Me Cooley were crowned champion in the CCI2*-S division today on a score of 41.5. Owned by Hedgerow Farm, “Melody” was one of five horses Bourke rode this weekend and is new to his string.

“She’s awesome,” Bourke said. “I have only had the ride on her since earlier this year and we’ve gotten along well. She has really good owners. She ran around a pretty tough track there today. The hill at the end always, always comes into play with the fitness and it’s a bit of a step up. But yeah, she was great. I was really happy with her.”

While their partnership is still developing, Bourke says that Melody has an easygoing personality that’s making her a barn favorite. “She’s very easy. She’s simple to do everything with,” Bourke said. “Like the girls clipped her during the week and she just stands there eating hay out of the wheelbarrow while they’re clipping her from her toes up. She’s so chilled out about everything.”

Located two hours north of the Virginia Horse Center, Bourke has become a regular face at VHC Eventing and an avid supporter of the facility. “We’ve always tried to support the Virginia Horse Trials,” Bourke said. “With the new management and everything that’s done there, I think they’ve done a fantastic job of just making it more rider friendly and more all about the horses. And it’s showing– they had a big waitlist to get into the show. I think that that bodes well for what’s to come in the future. Every time you go there, they’re trying to do something new. They’re trying to make something a little bit better. It’s always on our calendar twice a year.”

In the CCI1*-L, Ruth Rosendaul and Bonhunt Bertie were able to celebrate a big achievement. Not only riding a new partner, this weekend also marked Rosendaul’s first completion at the FEI level. Together, the pair has steadily moved up the leaderboard over the weekend after starting in seventh place. Rosendaul has only had the ride on Christa Schmidt’s 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse/Dutch Warmblood for the last year. With Bonhunt Bertie showing her the ropes, Rosendaul crossed the finish timers in first place with a score of 31.8.

The show jumping round proved extremely influential in the one-star division. Only three riders (Rosendaul, Claudia Iannuccilli & Ready Freddy, and Jennifer Duelfer & Cocky Kianna) managed to finish inside the time with no rails down. While finishing inside the time wasn’t much of an issue for many riders, even after the judges dropped the optimum time to 80 seconds, keeping all the rails in the cups proved to be a challenge for many. Rails fell across the course with no particular fence causing more problems than others.

While the FEI levels have nearly wrapped up, the CCI2*-L will finish tomorrow morning with the first rider entering the show jumping ring at 9:30 a.m. After that, all attention will turn to the National divisions, as they tackle a full day of show jumping and cross country.

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Sara Schulman’s Cinderella Moment at MARS Maryland 5 Star

By Veronica Green-Gott on Oct 29, 2024 12:00 pm -

Sara Schulman and Cooley Chromatic. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

Surrounded by a veritable jungle of pothos, Sara Schulman found herself sitting at the press conference table on the final day of competition in the CCI3*-L at the Maryland 5 Star. To her left sat Pan-American team member Sharon White and Olympian Will Coleman. Unlike Sharon and Will, who have been working as top professionals in the industry for decades, Sara is “one of us” – an adult amateur. This weekend at the Maryland 5 Star was her Cinderella moment.

Like in all good fairy tales, Sara’s day-to-day consists of slaving away at a full-time desk job before running away to the barn in the evening hours. Her social life? She’ll tell you herself that it’s not a priority. Sleep? Regularly sacrificed. Vacation? She’s used up all of her PTO to compete with her horse, Cooley Chromatic. Dreams? Big.

Once upon a time, Sara was en route to becoming a professional in the equine industry. She worked for Kim Severson through college and continued working as Jan Byyny’s assistant trainer after college. While put on the back burner, that dream still hasn’t died.

“So my full time job is working for Fannie Mae in the housing mortgage industry, and that’s been virtual ever since I started after college due to COVID. So there were two years that I actually worked for Jan Byyny outside of that remote job, and I was her assistant trainer for about two years,” Sara said. “I’d done a couple working student positions in high school, and I could see that working full time as a professional can be a bit difficult. So I wanted to get the college degree and then see maybe down the line, if I could make it as a professional.”

Luckily, working remotely has allowed her to pursue her riding goals, while bringing home the bacon with a professional career. “I think what’s been the most helpful is that my job is remote, so I don’t have to commute into one of their offices. Being remote allows me to save a lot of time commuting, so I can go to the barn early in the morning or right after work. It’s also allowed me the flexibility to go down to Florida in the winter. My manager has been super understanding, so she allows me to take a couple months to go down to Florida, given that I have good Wi-Fi down there and still have the ability to perform my full time job.”

Sara Schulman and Cooley Chromatic. Photo by Abby Powell.

Refusing to give up on her dream to compete at the upper levels has required a lot of sacrifices on Sara’s part, particularly when she spent two years working full-time for both Fannie Mae and Jan Byyny.

“For two years, there were very long days riding on opposite ends of the work day. Sleep has been sacrificed a lot over the years, but I feel like I’ve been able to find a balance, probably because I’ve been doing it for a while,” Sara said. “In college, I also worked for Kim [Severson] while I was at her barn. I was there six days a week doing the afternoon feed to work off board. So it’s sort of been normal to make pursuing riding work out. It’s just been a way of life for me.”

My biggest question for Sara was why? Why does she make all these sacrifices and grind day in and day out? What motivated her to take on all the daily responsibilities of being an adult professional and then add pursuing upper level goals on top of it? Her answer was simple: she’s not just a dreamer, she’s a doer.

“I’ve always dreamed of competing at the Advanced and 5* level,” she said. “There was always that hunger to run at the upper levels of the sport, like my friends. I’m 26 now. I just missed out on being able to put my name out there for the Under 25 lists or other championships. But with this horse, he’s so special that I finally have the opportunity to make a name for myself and try to get to the highest point that we can.”

Sara is clearly not one to choose the easy route. Instead of saving some time (but definitely not money) and purchasing a horse that had already been produced to the upper levels, she stuck with her love of developing young horses and her budget, and purchased Cooley Chromatic when he was just three years old.

Sara Schulman and Cooley Chromatic. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

“When I got him, it was my last year of college. It was right before COVID hit and I was down at Kim Severson’s barn. I knew that I wanted to get a younger horse and he was one of the first ones I saw,” Sara said. “If you saw his breeding on paper and compared him to any other upper level event horse, he would probably be the last one that you would pick, because he’s bred strictly for dressage. He has no jumping in his bloodline and barely any Thoroughbred blood, but he had the most natural athleticism of all the horses that we saw. I had the budget for an average five year old or a higher quality three or four year old. So that’s why we were looking at ones that were a bit younger. He just had natural athleticism and was able to maneuver his body. He could put his knees above his nose without any effort and he could really wrap himself up around a jump.”

Choosing “Caden” meant thinking of the big picture. Just 22 years old, Sara had been competing at the 2* level and was almost ready to move up. Choosing to purchase Caden meant she had to start from scratch and teach a three year old all the ins and outs of the sport. Like with all young horses, it was a bit of a bumpy road.

“When I first got him, he was a little bit insecure and spooky and didn’t quite understand the sport. He’s always been incredibly genuine, but it took a few years to get over the baby antics, like, for instance, during his five year old year, I say he went through his teenage years, where he would spook at everything,” Sara said. “The girls at the barn called me crazy trying to hack him down the road by myself, because he had a wicked rear and buck in him and he was pretty insecure about everything. But he matured. I matured. I learned how to build a partnership with him.”

Now, five years later, that partnership was put to the test at the Maryland 5 Star. “Honestly, going cross country at Maryland, I was like, ‘Wow, this horse would jump through fire for me.’ It’s a pretty special feeling when you know the horse inside and out and they trust you that much,” Sara said.

Sara Schulman and Cooley Chromatic. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

As an amateur with only one horse in her string, Sara is at a disadvantage compared to the professionals she competes against. “You come in probably as a bit of an underdog, which you would think might take away a little bit of pressure, but it actually adds on more pressure, because you basically get one shot,” Sara said. “So you’re putting all your eggs in one basket. This is your grand finale competition, and you have to make every moment count.”

Sara credits her long-time trainer, Jan Byyny, with a lot of her recent success. If it weren’t for Jan’s belief in her, she said she would have never thought she could wind up on the podium in the 3*-L at the Maryland 5 Star. Jan not only pushed her to go to the 3*, but believed she and Caden could even win it.

“Her predictions were extremely accurate,” Sara said. “Granted she did think we could win it, but I would say second place is close enough to first. But yes, I think she had to push me a little bit to inspire us and to get ourselves out there at some of the bigger venues. I’ve been working with her for three years now. So when I got to her, we were going Training level. She’s put a ton of time into us and she knows us like the back of her hand, both myself and my horse. I trained primarily with her in the jumping phases and then I’ve been riding with Kelli Temple on the flat for the last six months. I was able to have both of them come up to coach me at Maryland, which was super beneficial.”

Coming in second in the 3* at the Maryland 5 Star was a life-changing moment for Sara. Not only because of the result, but because of what that result means to herself and to other amateurs with big dreams.

“I know my horse is capable of winning and having those opportunities, but you don’t really believe it till it has actually happened,” Sara said. “It’s pretty special being able to be competitive against the best names in the sport. I think probably what was the most special is that there have been random strangers and fellow amateurs who have reached out since then and said, ‘Hey, the results and achievements that you and your horse have had are inspiring.’ Which kind of blows my mind. To me, I think I’m just doing my everyday thing, but there are people that take notice. I think that’s what’s special about the sport of eventing itself. You don’t have to have 10 horses and a ton of money to be able to get results like that.”

Sharon White, Sara Schulman, and Will Coleman share the 3*-L podium at MARS Maryland 5 Star. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

Like the 5* track, the 3*-L course was challenging for riders and horses. Sara was competing against household names for eventing fans, like Laine Ashker, Ariel Grald, Tamie Smith, and even her former trainer, Kim Severson. Maryland is always a big fitness test for the horses as the course runs up a long slow hill that builds across the first half to three-quarters of the course, before running back downhill. Sara’s biggest concern before the event was whether Caden was capable of the fitness test.

“I think the biggest test was going to be fitness and rideability for him,” Sara said. “Over the last couple seasons, he’s turned into quite a cross country machine. It wasn’t necessarily the jumps I was worried about, honestly, but more of the rideability. He’s at least 17.1 hands and he’s started to get very excited at the start box, as well. So we’ve had to work on a lot of the rideability to be able to go faster safely. In the end, he turned out to be incredibly fit, which, again, as I’ve mentioned, he doesn’t have a lot of Thoroughbred blood in him. But he holds his fitness quite well.”

As it turned out, Sara’s worries were unfounded. “I think getting him conditioned for the Bromont 3*-L earlier in the year allowed him to hold a good base of fitness. He was super rideable. None of the jumps were an issue. He just attacked it like any other horse trial. It really just proved how confident and how incredible he is.”

Hopefully her weekend at the Maryland 5 Star was just a taste of what the future holds for Sara and Caden. She has big plans to step him up to the 4* level next spring (knock on wood). With any luck, we’ll see her back in Maryland for next year’s Maryland International at Loch Moy Farm.

Sara Schulman and Cooley Chromatic. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

For Sara, she says that her moment in the spotlight has just further solidified her love and passion for eventing. “I think people really appreciate the underdog stories,” Sara said. “I think that what people find even more inspiring than someone who’s winning all the time is seeing everyday people win. That’s probably why I love eventing so much. Everyone can come from different backgrounds and you all have to go through the same speed bumps and hurdles to make it to the top. Everyone will cheer for you and cheer for your successes as much as they do for all the professionals in the sport.”

If you’re an amateur with goals of having your own Cinderella moment, Sara has this advice. “There’s no clear-cut timeline for anyone to get to the top of sport. You can make your own timeline. It’s just a matter of what you want to prioritize to get to the top of the sport.”

Unlike Cinderella, there’s no countdown to midnight for this rider and her superstar horse.

The Maryland/Millstreet Exchange Program: Growing Eventing from the Ground Up

By Veronica Green-Gott on Oct 23, 2024 12:30 pm -

Madison Temkin competed Sportsfield Guarantee in Ireland, pictured here with his owner, Paul Donovan.

While everyone’s eyes were glued to the Paris Olympics this summer, international connections were being made in a rural town in Maryland where an exchange program two years in the making was quietly taking place. Minus the NBC cameras and bellowing crowds, the goal of this program was largely the same as those for the Paris Olympics: to build international camaraderie and educate youth through sport.

The Maryland – Millstreet Exchange Program was conceived in 2022, when the former governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan, visited Ireland on an equestrian trade mission. Ireland native Fran Horgan was inspired by the connections she made through the trade mission and saw a unique opportunity to prolong the legacy of the trip.

“When Governor Larry Hogan visited Ireland in 2022, he visited on an equine trade mission, and it was to promote a lot of the equine activities in Maryland, which includes the Maryland Five Star, right? It was from there that Ross Peddicord invited me over to experience the CCI5*. During that visit, I was introduced to Carolyn Mackintosh, and was able to visit her at her farm, at Loch Moy Farm.”

Ireland is a country of horseman, through and through. Maryland is a hot spot for equestrian activities in the United States. But while both communities were passionate about eventing, Fran noticed a significant difference. “My initial thoughts on the five star was that there weren’t a lot of young people there compared to events that we would have in Ireland, where there’s nothing but kids and youngsters,” Fran said. “So the two aims that I was coming from was one to promote Loch Moy Farm and Millstreet International themselves, because without Carolyn Mackintosh and the Duggan family of Millstreet, we would lose two crucial venues. So how can we promote the venues and support them, and how can we then bring up the next generation and get them started in eventing?”

Never one to sit back and wait for someone else to take action, Fran jumped at the opportunity to create a brand new program from scratch.

“Let’s get the kids over. Let’s get them making connections, you know, friendships and seeing how each other does things differently,” Fran said. “I recognize a lot of things like, your grass is different from Irish grass. How would that affect an Irish horse? The gut microbiome would be totally different. Loch Moy’s on a granite hill, it’s very hard, and Maryland is very dry. Over here, we’re in a bog, and there’s a lot of rain. So how does the going change and differ? And the course builders? How are they building courses differently, etc. So it’s a real education for the young riders to get a flavor of how things are done, even if you just walk the course. And as it turned out, we were able to find horses for them to ride.”

Fran’s idea slowly took shape and became more and more fleshed out with the support of key players such as the Maryland Horse Industry Board; the Cork County Council; Ireland’s Kelley Hutchinson of Hutchinson Sport Horses; Olympian Caroline Pamukcu; sports commentator Chris Ryan; Executive Director of the Maryland Horse Industry Board, Ross Peddicord; Loch Moy Farm owner Carolyn Mackintosh; and owners of the Millstreet International venue, the Duggan family.

“I was able to work out that Carolyn and the Duggan family provided all the accommodation, the feed, the transport from the airports, etc,” Fran said. “The flights, which were the main costs, were sponsored by Cork County Council and the Maryland Horse Industry Board.”

It was decided that the young rider with the top score at Millstreet International and the Maryland International would swap places the following year. In 2023, Madison “Maddy” Temkin was awarded the scholarship to go to Millstreet after earning fifth place in the CCI4*-S with her own MVP Madbum.

Madison Temkin and MVP Madbum. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

“I got to compete at the Burghley Young Event Horse qualifier at Millstreet, which was a lot of fun,” Maddy said. “It was definitely a bit of an eye opening experience on a lot of different levels. But I think one of the biggest things, honestly, was how they run their young event horse classes over there is quite a bit different than how we do it here. You warm up, you jump a couple of jumps, and you go do your dressage test, and then you go straight in the ring to do your jumping phase. Just get it all done in one go.”

Millstreet International gets much more rain than they do here in Maryland. The week of the Burghley Young Event Horse competition, it had been particularly rainy, making the ground softer than usual. While this didn’t phase the Irish riders, it made a big difference to Maddy.

“Watching horses leave the barn with studs in had me wondering what people are using around the world in different terrain and different venues. That was interesting,” Maddy said.

Maddy rode Sportsfield Guarantee, a young gelding that she very quickly fell in love with. “He was probably about 15.1 hands. He’s a little guy, but it was kind of funny, because he was definitely my type of horse, which I think it was unintentional that it was my type of horse, but he was super cute,” Maddy said. “He hadn’t had a ton of experience, and to me, it was big, you know, for a four year old. He definitely got better as he jumped around. He was a really, really nice horse, and I was joking around that I wanted to bring him home, but I couldn’t find anyone who wanted to help me buy him to bring him home. He was really cool.”

While there, Maddy also met her partner, of sorts, Godfrey Gibbons, who, as the top-placed young rider at Millstreet International, would travel to the Maryland International. Godfrey was slightly taken by surprise at the opportunity to travel to Maryland.

“I think it was only halfway through the week when I met Kelley and they told me about the exchange. I had no idea prior to that,” Godfrey said. “That obviously had me go and make sure I was on the ball for the end of the week to make sure all the results came in. And then we won it on the last day. It was a nice surprise to get.”

While Maddy had traveled to the United Kingdom a few times before, having sourced her two horses, Fernhill Bertus and Fernhill Fairytale, from Ireland. Godfrey, while having traveled extensively around the United Kingdom and Europe, had never been to the United States.

“I was just really looking forward to getting out somewhere new and just seeing how everything worked over there,” Godfrey said. “I’ve always seen stuff online about competing in America, and I was always fascinated by it, and I always wanted to get the opportunity to go out and just to see new things and experience new things and see what was done out there, and get a bit more knowledge for myself.”

The heat in Maryland in July is a beast that’s difficult for locals to deal with, let alone someone used to the cool temperatures of Ireland. Unfortunately for Godfrey, this past July reached record high temperatures.

“The heat out in Maryland is very different to ride in. Then again, it was just something that [the horses here] wouldn’t experience at all,” Godfrey said. “I was so surprised how I was riding two young, five-year-old horses, and I was just surprised how out there they’re used to the heat and able to keep going. Whereas if I brought one of my horses out [to Maryland] at that age, they wouldn’t be up for it at all.”

Godfrey Gibbons competes Redfield Oban at Maryland. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.

Despite the extreme temperatures, Godfrey said the hard work that Loch Moy Farm put into the ground paid off. “I was amazed at the amount of work put into the venue, especially across the country for the terrain and everything. It was lovely going through the forest. It was just such a nice venue for cross country.”

Godfrey competed Redfield Oban HR, owned by Redfield Farm. He had very little time to get to know the five-year-old, but luckily is used to catch riding and competing horses.

“So, I flew over on Wednesday. I rode on Wednesday evening, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and then competed on Sunday,” Godfrey said. “I’m kind of used to that type of thing. I was definitely a fair bit nervous for us when I was riding someone else’s horse, and especially someone like Caroline [Pamukcu]. So I made sure I did the job right. But no, I think it was okay. I got the hang of him really quickly, and he’s a lovely horse. It was great to work with Carolyn and her team.”

Godfrey was thrown right into the deep end at the Maryland International, in terms of American culture, as it was held the same weekend as the USEF Young Event Riders Championships. The celebrations included races on bouncy horses, a mechanical bull, water balloons, and water guns. “I thought it was great,” Godfrey said. “It got people to interact and meet each other. In Ireland, we wouldn’t really have all that. So we (in Ireland) can be fairly quiet sometimes at the events. People just go and do their own thing, and then they all go back to their own trucks or hotels and go away for the night. Over [in America], you have time to meet and talk to each other, as well as just get to know more people. It was all fun and laughs.”

For both Maddy and Godfrey, the connections they made through the exchange program was a huge benefit to their learning experience. “I definitely, you know, saw some connections that I’d already made in Ireland, and probably made those connections a little bit stronger, as well as meet new people, for sure,” Maddy said. “I think it opened my eyes a little bit and gave me a little bit more knowledge. Honestly, I took a lot away from competing in and watching the young horse classes, as I produce a lot of young horses. I think it definitely gave me some valuable knowledge that I can use in producing my own young horses.”

As for Godfrey, his first trip to America taught him a lot about what the country, or at least rural Maryland, is like as compared to what he’s seen on TV. “I’ve only ever seen parts of America in movies, and maybe some videos of events. But I was actually surprised at how quiet it was. I was expecting a really busy town. There were lots and lots of people, but it was actually nice and laid back, like the venue. It was just comfortable being there. There was no big panic on the part of the competitors. Everyone was very friendly. And especially Carolyn, the venue owner, gave us, and all the volunteers, food and everything you could want, and drinks, and told us to help ourselves.”

If you’re an aspiring young professional who’s fortunate and talented enough to win a spot in a program like this one, Godfrey and Maddy have some advice for you.

“Just look forward to it and go out and enjoy it and be social to meet everybody and get as much out of it as you can,” Godfrey said.

“Our sport is so different in so many places,” Maddy said. “And I think having experiences and gaining knowledge from as many different people in as many locations as you can is really important to the development of yourself as a rider.”

Fran hopes to see this program grow into something bigger than an exchange program between just the USA and Ireland in the future and hinted at a possible Nations Cup-style event for young riders that would include any nation who could scramble together a team.

“If you don’t involve the youth, it will die out as a sport, right? As a young rider community, could we not grow this now?” Fran said. “And it’s all about supporting the venues, too. When you lose a venue, you lose an opportunity. No matter what pony you buy for your kid, one day there might be no place to take it.”

Jaguars Duende Crowned Queen of CCI3*-L at MARS Maryland Five Star

By Veronica Green-Gott on Oct 20, 2024 7:13 pm -

Sharon White and Jaguars Duende. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Jaguars Duende was a climber in the CCI3*-L field of the MARS Maryland 5 Star, presented by Brown Advisory, starting the competition in ninth place and finishing in first. While the average eventing fan may have been surprised by her rise to the top, those who know her well knew she was always the one to beat. Produced and owned by Sharon White, the 8-year-old Westphalian mare is a competitor through and through.

“Her mind is extraordinary, right? Just to sit on a horse that loves the pressure and handles it and wants to win– that’s a really special thing. So she showed me that again today, and that’s just really, really unique,” Sharon said.

“Jag” (Jaguar Mail x Latina, by Lancaster) is not your typical mare. She showed just how cuddly and in-your-pocket she is at the awards ceremony, when she stood quietly, playing with her groom, Kate Servais, and allowing everyone to give her pets, while she received hugs from her rider. If you’re currently thinking to yourself, ‘well sure, my mare likes pets.’ Let me iterate how unique it is to have an 8-year-old horse that is calm enough to stand quietly after a victory gallop with nine other horses in the massive atmosphere of the Maryland 5 Star arena. Jag is clearly a winner in more ways than one.

Sharon is known to produce her horses from the ground up, a strategy that lends itself well to the building of a true partnership between horse and rider. However, it does take time and talent to source untested young horses and transform them into 5* partners.

“Even if you buy a horse that’s already going, it still takes a lot of time to form a partnership,” Sharon said. “And I think when you’ve had them as young horses and as babies, you know each other in and out, which can be really beautiful. And at the same time, it can be a double-edged sword. I know my horses that I’ve produced since they were young. I know Jag would do anything I asked her to do, so I have to be careful what I ask her, right? Because she’ll do it. That type of relationship takes time. So if you start them from the beginning, then you’ve already put the time in. And if you buy them further developed, you still have to put the time in.”

Sharon White and Jaguars Duende. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Not losing the forest for the trees is crucial to the development of these young horses. To date, Jag has performed at FEI competitions only nine times over two years. Some young horses will do that number of events in one season. Sharon says staying focused on that big picture makes all the difference.

“Sometimes it’s very hard to remember the big picture. You have to really think, ‘You know what? It’s not only the year, it’s the next four years,’” Sharon said. “I think it’s very easy to get into doing too much because everyone’s doing it, so you want to do it. But if you really think about it, she’s like a project. She’s eight years old, what do I want her to do as an eight year old? Did I want her to do a four long this fall? No, right? I want to give her body enough time to get very strong and to get her so confident.”

Sharon chose the Maryland 5 Star 3*-L to help develop Jag’s grit and endurance. “Maryland is a very unique place in that it’s a very good test of fitness. It’s a very proper course,” Sharon said. “The atmosphere is unreal and special in both the dressage and the show jumping. So it’s just such a good education for a horse. And to me, you want to not overwhelm them, right? And if you really produce them confidently, sometimes you have to be a little patient. I don’t mind being a little patient. Now I look forward to what she does next year, but it’s not about next year either. Every moment is special with them. But if you really think big term, I think that’s how you produce horses for the highest level of sport.”

Sara Schulman and Cooley Chromatic. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Sara Schulman pulled off a hat trick to hold onto her second place position all weekend long, as the leaderboard shifted around her. Finishing on the podium in the 3* at the Maryland 5 Star was a huge accomplishment for the young rider, particularly as she has produced her own Cooley Chromatic (Thorgal x Castrade) up the levels herself.

“Honestly, even more so than the results themselves, [the bigger accomplishment] is the confidence that he has gained over the years. You never know what kind of horse they’re going to turn into when they’re three. There’s so much to establish there. And with every young horse– granted, this is the first one that I’ve produced so I can’t speak to many others– but there’s always speed bumps and hurdles that you have to go through,” Sara said. “He had his antics when he was four and five years old that we took time to work through. He would refuse every way out of the water and there were just various things in the barn. The fact that we have built such a partnership like this over the years, such a trusting partnership, and have been able to take the time to work through all of that, is honestly the biggest accomplishment out of everything.”

The pressure was definitely turned up to high going into the show jumping, where the lightest tap can result in a rail down and when that single rail can cost you your podium finish. Sara particularly felt the intensity of that pressure as the youngest rider in the top five.

“For sure there was pressure going into today,” Sara said. “This was the biggest atmosphere me and my horse have ever show jumped in, which was really exciting, especially with a whole group of coaches, friends, and family that came out to watch. I just wanted to do them and my horse proud. I knew he was capable of this– he’s such a special horse. I just wanted to do him justice all week, and he stepped up to it every single day. I couldn’t be more proud.”

Will Coleman and Fahrenheit Addict. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Like the rest of the top three, Will Coleman also chose to ride Team Rebecca LLC’s Fahrenheit Addict at the Maryland 5 Star to build the nine-year-old Selle Francais’ education. “I’ve probably only done three or four runs at this level, and I just knew that I would get some good feedback from doing an event like this,” Coleman said. “It’s a cross country course that’s really up to standard. It’s long. It gives you a sense of how we might handle some of the bigger events in the world down the road. I think I got some great feedback. I’m excited about the horse, and we’re still a ways away, but I think this was a great step in his progression.”

Will has only had the ride on Fahrenheit Addict (Utah van Erpekom x Picouik du Pont, by Echogene latour) for less than a year and is still building his partnership with the young up-and-comer. “He’s owned by some of my longtime best owners, the Broussards, who have helped me to support my horses for many years. We found him at the end of last year and he came to me at the beginning of this year. So I’m still very much getting to know him,” Will said.

Like the 5*, the 3* cross country course was intense. Also designed by Ian Stark, it covered a total of 5250 meters with 34 jumping efforts. Today the 3* horses tackled a difficult show jumping course created by Canadian designer Michel Vaillancourt. After starting the week with 54 horses, the competition finished with 40 pairs remaining. In total, 46 rails came down, with fence five being the biggest challenge for the riders. It was, indeed, a “serious” week, as Will called it.

Sharon White, Sara Schulman, and Will Coleman. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

“I think horses that came out here and jumped well in this atmosphere– I think that bodes very, very well for them, and hopefully for bigger events down the road,” he said.

Keep an eye on these three horses and their riders as they move up through the ranks of eventing and into the highest levels of the sport. There are bright futures ahead of many pairs who tackled the 3* this week. Honorable mention goes to the horse who moved up the most spots in the leaderboard – Tamie Smith and Pierre’s Farceur du Bochard (Con Air 7 x Ariane du Bochard, by Epsom Gesmeray), owned by the Guariglia family, sprung up the ranks from 50th to 18th.

MARS Maryland 5 Star: [Website][Scoring] [Live Stream Replays][EN’s Coverage]

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Shooting for Three Stars: Jaguars Duende Takes the Lead in CCI3* at Maryland 5 Star

By Veronica Green-Gott on Oct 19, 2024 10:25 pm -

Sharon White and Jaguars Duende. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

The CCI5* at MARS Maryland 5 Star, presented by Brown Advsory cross country course may have thrown the leaderboard into an absolute uproar today (more on that coming soon), but the CCI3* cross country was nearly as influential, causing upheaval across the board. Today was deeply disappointing for some teams and exhilarating for others -– such is eventing.

Multiple riders moved up as many as 32 places, while others found themselves plummeting down through the leaderboard. But the competition isn’t over until it’s over. No matter where they are on the leaderboard today, everyone who’s still in play has a chance to make it through the horse inspection and leave it all out on the floor in the show jumping phase tomorrow.

Sharon White and Jaguars Duende. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

Sharon White and her own Jaguars Duende (Jaguar Mail x Latina, by Lancaster) skyrocketed up the rankings, moving rapidly from ninth to first place on their dressage score of 29.6. “Jag” is quickly becoming Sharon’s superstar and is poised to one day follow the footsteps of her barn mate, Claus 63, as her new 5* mount. Sharon has owned the mare since she was just three years old, sourcing her from Dirk Schrade, and has produced her up the levels. Thus far in her FEI career, Jag has never finished off the podium, nor has she ever had any obstacle faults on cross country (knock on wood).

True to form, Jag was her usual stellar self on the track today. “Well, I couldn’t have asked [Jag] to be any better today. It was really a special day for her,” Sharon said. “She’s a very good competitor. Her mind is excellent, and it is really nice to sit on a horse that wants to go and fight for you and will think of nothing else but doing her job. That’s just really, really wonderful.”

Sharon believes her focus on Jag’s fitness prior to the event was key to the 8-year-old Westphalian’s nearly foot-perfect round today. As a West Virginia resident, Sharon has had easy access to terrain relatively similar to the Maryland Five Star’s never-ending upward climb. “We know the terrain is a big factor coming here. I have a very good friend, Anita [Antenucci], with the most beautiful hill at home. So we’ve been galloping up that hill a lot in preparation so that the cross country would be a non-issue, physically, for Jag and I felt like that worked really well,” Sharon said, adding, “I’m just really proud of her.”

Sara Schulman and Cooley Chromatic. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

Out of the 53 riders who left the startbox this morning, Sara Schulman and Cooley Chromatic (Thorgal x Castrade) was the only one to maintain her position on the leaderboard. Adding just two points to her dressage score, Sara and Cooley Chromatic are still in second place this evening with a score of 30.6. At just 26-years-old, Sara has an impressive cross country record with “Caden.” Together, the pair has finished in the top ten in seven out of eight of their FEI starts.

“I’ve had him since he was three. He’s the first horse that I produced, and he has gained so much confidence over the years,” Sara said. “For instance, going to Bromont was a testament to that. To say, ‘Hey, how far has this horse come in the last four years since he was spooking over his first Beginner Novice?’ Going out there today, and again, me not getting it 100 percent right all the time, having full trust in him, giving him the reins a time or two, and just sitting back and supporting him– and he answered every question. I could not be prouder of how much confidence he’s gained, especially over these bigger tracks and in much bigger environments.”

Sara believes riding at the MARS Bromont CCI3*-L, where she also participated in the Bromont Rising Program, was good preparation for the terrain at Fair Hill. “We actually went to Bromont sort of as a preparation for this event, long term, just so that we had a baseline of what he would feel like at a three star long because neither of us had done the level before. So that was a good test of fitness, as Bromont is quite hilly as well, to get a good idea.”

Allie Knowles and P.S. I Love You. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

Allie Knowles and Katherine O’Brien’s P.S. I Love You (FSS Correlli Bravo x Woodmount Queen, by Crannagh Hero) are currently in third place on their dressage score of 31.4. The pair has a relatively short record, having done only seven FEI competitions together. What they don’t have in quantity, they do have in quality. Together they’ve placed in the top five in four of those seven starts.

“He’s a very sharp horse and arrogant, but also insecure, and you need to read between the lines with him and make sure that you can be reassuring but also firm and and really in tune with him,” Allie said. “So it’s been a really fun progression coming to this. And I came in here with a lot of confidence and I think so did he, but that confidence might be a little bit frail. It wouldn’t take much for him to question that. It happened a little bit in the dressage -– we’re having an amazing test, and then one mistake, and he’s kind of like, ‘I’m not sure,’ and then he gets frustrated, and you just need to settle him back down and reassure him. It’s the same on cross country. If a problem did happen, I think he would overreact. I tried to stay on the ball and not be casual with him. But also trust the training, trust that he knows what he wants to do, and he’s going to try to do it right, but not let him down and not forget that he’s actually only eight.”

Having gotten the ride on “Jerry” as a five-year-old from JP Sheffield, Allie says the key to producing the horse up the levels was to take her time and really slow down. Never one to do something halfway, Allie and Jerry were a full minute over the time at their first Modified event. “He was hot and sharp, and JP really encouraged me to take my time and be patient. And I have– I had a minute of time at my first Modified on him. I mean, I really, properly took my time, because he is so quick to get a bit frazzled.”

Today, Knowles showed just how much Jerry, owned by Katherine O’Brien, has grown over the intervening years. Going into this morning, Knowles’ biggest concern was whether or not the Irish Sport Horse would have the endurance required to navigate the nine-and-a-half minute course. “Jerry is a serious competitor. It’s like he knows he’s there to win. And he’s always right on the ball and very sharp and very ready to go at all times. And he’s very fast, but he has never gone nine-and-a-half minutes, so that was a question mark in my mind. And he probably went faster than he ever has. I couldn’t even believe it,” Allie said.

Nine riders made the time today, however only eight went clear as Tracy Bienemann and Venezuelan River activated a frangible device at fence four. Seven horses were eliminated and two retired. Following a fall with his first 3* mount, Mo Chroi, Boyd Martin withdrew his second ride, Barney Rubble, from the division and turned his attention to the 5*.

Tomorrow, the 3* riders must endure the scrutiny of the horse inspection at 9:30 a.m. (blissfully moved back from 8 a.m., thank the media gods). At 11:35 a.m., the first 3* rider will enter the atmospheric show jumping arena for the culminating phase.

MARS Maryland 5 Star: [Website] [Entries] [Tickets] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream] [Volunteer] [EN’s Coverage]

Riders React to Ian’s Last Hurrah: ‘It’s Cute.’

By Veronica Green-Gott on Oct 19, 2024 8:17 am -

The B element of the Brown Advisory Canoe and Cascade.

The 2024 MARS Maryland 5 Star is not like any other year. This year we are saying goodbye to course designer Ian Stark as he retires from designing and turns his attention to coaching. I may not ride his courses, but I will miss seeing his bright smile and listening to his jokes as he gives the media the rundown on his latest course.

For his last CCI5* design, Ian has stuck mostly to his design of previous years, but with subtle and nuanced changes that will make a big difference to the pairs on course. Some feathers have been particularly ruffled by the second water. The fence is not only a picture frame-style keyhole, but also features water raining down from the top of the frame into the water below. Despite the controversy (what’s a 5* without a little added spice?), the riders all agree on one thing: Ian is a talented course designer and his tracks will be missed by everyone.

So, let’s get to it.

📣 Who said our title quote?
💪 Who’s worried about fitness?
🗻 Who’s surprised by the terrain?

Tamie Smith – 25.3 – 1st

“That’s a bit bittersweet too. I’ve known Ian since he had a dark, full head of hair. So, it’s a little bit sad. Selfishly, I’m thinking that maybe he’ll have more time for coaching, because he’s brilliant at that, and a great mentor. But what better place to have your last cross country than here in America, Maryland’s 5* So I think a lot of us are sad, and actually happy for him as well.”

Oliver Townend – 26.5 – 2nd

“Looking at the course, I don’t think we’ll be worrying about the dressage by the end of tomorrow. It’s a couple of degrees more difficult every time I’ve come here. The time was incredibly gettable the first two years, and year three and four– that definitely ain’t gonna happen. It’s big. TV isn’t going to do it justice, because you just cannot get over to people how many big jumps after big jumps, after big jumps with such accuracy as well. One trip, one slip, and you’re over. You need a lot of luck at 5*, but you need a willing partner. It’s going to be a proper, proper 5* competition.”

Bubby Upton – 26.7 – 3rd

“Ian’s definitely going out with a bang. It’s a really tough track. There’s four or five really, really difficult questions, he’s [Ian Stark] such a clever course builder. Oh my god, we’re going to miss him so much in this sport! Because basically when you commit to the straight route, you’re in and there’s no way of getting out, so there’s no room for error. Fingers crossed, I’ll have my A game on because like I said, it’s just my job to do Cola justice because I know that he’ll fight for me right to the end.”

Tim Price – 27.4 – 4th

“I have the utmost faith in Falco. He’s surprisingly good at galloping for a long time for a horse that’s only 28% blood and it’s there to be done, the job’s to be done. There’s some things that neither of us have seen before but I think we’re at the stage in our partnership to throw ourselves through.”

[Here we asked him about fence 10.]

“The water– yeah, I think it’s cute. I think Ian knows what he’s doing. We always put our faith in these world class designers that know how horses see things first and then try to make things a little bit scary for the rider. I think hopefully that’s what he’s done there [with the water]. It’ll just be a shame if even one horse had a stop at it. It’s not like we can practice that at home. So I’ve got my utmost faith in Ian, but yeah I think it’s a little bit gimmicky.”

Cosby Green – 28 – 6th

“It’s nice to be sitting on a good jumping horse out there. I think there’s a lot of scope questions and the terrain is quite hillier than I remember. Now that I’ve seen some more tracks, it is quite impressive– the terrain. Thankfully, he’s fit and ready to go and I can have trust in his scope and his fitness. The last water – the Crab – you gallop up to the top of the hill and then that’s a major scope and athleticism question, and I’m actually quite excited to do that with him.”

Lindsay Traisnel – 30.7 – 8th

“It’s not quite as scary as I thought! I just need to make sure I got all my lines right. If I just ride [Bacyrouge] right, he’ll do it.”

Harry Meade – 31.2 – 9th

“There’s lots to jump. I think the time will be tight. There’s obviously quite a few places where it’s very technical and slow.”

“It’s a proper course. I’m a big fan of Ian Stark’s courses. I’ve known him all my life, and I think we sort of have a shared philosophy on what eventing, what cross country, should be, and I slightly follow him around. I certainly follow him around Britain and Europe, and have gone as far as following him around the globe.”

“It’s a lovely flowing course. I think he’s been a little bit clever in places where the stringing of the course and some of the turns to get to the fences will waste a lot of time, and it really brings your average speed down. I like the course each year I come here. I missed last year, and the people who didn’t come the first two years, said ‘Oh it was beefed up so much!’ and I got here, and actually, it’s not that different. Obviously, there’s a few new questions, like the Sunken Road, which is a tough question, but I think it’s more a sort of mega speed bump to try and bring the speed down.”

“But you’ve got to have a horse that is brave, straight, keen, enjoys their job and is able to settle into a rhythm and gallop. So it’s one I’m really looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into and certainly, this is what makes me do the sport. It’s what makes me want to just keep going.”

Tiana Coudray – 31.9 – 10th

“I haven’t fully made my decisions on it yet. Overall, I’m pretty happy with it. There’s a lot of terrain, especially towards the end; that’s no surprise to anybody. There’s plenty to do out there. There’s some big jumps, there’s some big hills, but it’s a beautiful course. It’s beautifully laid out, and I think it’s there to be had. So hopefully we’re up to the task.”

Buck Davidson – 34 – 13th

“The ground is stiff enough. I think the course is mainly the same as last year. Ian Stark has maybe just softened that top water a little bit. It’s just going to slow people down a little more. Hopefully they can punch the ground and water the heck out of it. It’s nobody’s fault there’s not been any rain, but for sure, the ground is firm, and there’s a lot of jumps on downhills with drops and stuff, so I’d like to see it a little bit softer, I think they’re working on it.”

Grace Taylor – 34.1 – 14th

“It’s tough, but I think a lot of Ian as a course designer and I’m looking forward to trying to get it done.”

Colleen Loach – 34.1 – 14th

“The course looks great, really good. A lot to do, but there’s breaks here and there, too. So that’s kind of nice, but if Goldie is his usual self, he should storm around there. I’m not sure what the point is of the water feature [at fence 10], to be honest, for the horses. I think when the horses are going and they hear the water splashing, I’m not sure how much of a difference it will make, but I just don’t see the point.”

David Doel – 34.5 – 16th

“There’s real terrain out there. There’s some really big fences, some really decent combinations. It’s definitely not going to be a dressage competition this weekend.”

Ema Klugman – 35.6 – 18th

“The course is definitely beefy. In a weird way, it feels familiar, because a lot of it is similar to last year. The track is exactly the same and several of the jumps are kind of the same. I mean, not identical, but similar. So I’m definitely going to be reviewing the videos from last year tonight and seeing how people did it, and also where mistakes were made, and how those happen. But, I’m really excited to tackle it with Bronte. She’s a super honest, very brave, very scopey horse. This will be the biggest fitness test she’s ever done, so we have her really fit, and hopefully she gets a good night’s sleep. I don’t think I will, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Emily Hamel – 36.2 – 19th

“I’ve only walked it once. Everything looks pretty good. I need a little bit of a better plan in a couple of places, like the coffin, because he gave us a lot of options. It’s like, ‘How brave are you going to be?’ That’ll be interesting to see if people choose to go left or right. Then the crab water is always entertaining and there’s always a lot to do.”

Lillian Heard Wood – 38.6 – 20th

“It’s very similar to last year, which I did with this horse. So I know where I nearly had some trouble last year, so I’m going to be paying attention there. There are a few new things that I’ve got to wrap my head around. But, it’s a beautiful track, and they’re doing everything I can, and I’m excited about it.”

Jessie Phoenix – 39.3 – 21st

“Ian Stark has nailed it. It’s a beautiful 5* track. It’s big. It asks every single question. It’s really thoughtfully done, so if there’s any issues out there, you can still come home. I think he’s just a designer for the centuries. What he has given this sport is truly remarkable, and I think it’s such an honor to be able to go around his last course.”

Joe Meyer – 43.7 – 23rd

“It’s pretty big and tough. There’s a couple of combinations that I’m still sort of umming and ahhing about distance-wise and things. It’ll just depend a little bit how he jumps into them and stuff. I don’t think there’s anything he can’t do, but it’s all got to be done well. The hills will be a test as well, because this will be the hilliest course I’ve ridden. It’s quite a bit more than Kentucky; there’s plenty to do.”

MARS Maryland 5 Star: [Website] [Entries] [Tickets] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream] [Volunteer] [EN’s Coverage]

Pick the MARS Maryland 5 Star Winner and Win Big from World Equestrian Brands!

By Veronica Green-Gott on Oct 15, 2024 10:00 am -

It’s arguably the best time of year if you’re a Maryland local. It’s Maryland Horse Month, here in the crabbiest of the states, and the crown jewel of the month has arrived: the Maryland Five Star. While the Eventing Nation team has our own ideas about who will win the CCI5*, it’s your chance to pick the winner and win big.

A big thank you to World Equestrian Brands, who is our partner for this round of Pick ‘Em and Win, for contributing an amazing prize: a Heatsense Massage pad! I’m already jealous of the winner, I have to say. The Heatsense massage pad combines the best of heat and massage to encourage muscle relaxation, increase flexibility, and maintain a good oxygen supply to your horse’s muscles.

If it’s your first time playing, or you need a refresher, here are the deets (do people still say that?):

To enter, use the embedded form below or click here if you can’t see or use the form.

You’ll enter some basic information and then select the CCI5* pair you feel will take the win this week. For tie-breaking purposes, also enter what score you believe your chosen pair will finish on. One winner will be selected from the correct answers at the end of the week. If there’s a tie, the closest finishing score without going over claims the prize.

You must enter by Thursday, October 17th at 12:45 p.m. EST, ahead of the first CCI5* dressage test. You may edit your response ahead of this cutoff time. We’ll announce and notify the winner during the week of October 21st.

You can view the current entry list here. Best of luck, and Go Eventing!

A BIG congratulations to Kaitlyn Poole who is our 2024 winner! She guessed that Oliver Townend would win with a score of 30.7. Great job, Kaitlyn!

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Dyri Dances to the Lead at the Morven Park International CCI4*-L

By Veronica Green-Gott on Oct 11, 2024 3:46 pm -

Lucienne Bellissimo at the fall Morven Park International. Photo by Lindsay Berreth/USEA.

A trifecta of American eventing has come together at the Morven Park Equestrian Center this weekend. Not only did the iconic CCI4*-L get underway, but this weekend also marks the opening leg of the US Equestrian Open and the 2024 USEF/USEA Developing Horse Eventing National Championships for 6- and 7-year-olds. Record prize money is on the table as, thanks to MARS Equestrian, an additional $15,000 will be awarded to the top-placed American-bred horse within the two 4* divisions.

As the opening leg of the US Equestrian Open, there’s certainly additional pressure on our 4*-S competitors this weekend. This brand new event series highlights all three Olympic disciplines. For eventers, it includes 18 4*-S qualifiers (with more potentially to be added) spanning across the country and will conclude with a final event right here at Morven Park in 2025. Riders are given points based on their placing at each qualifier they complete, putting them in the running to earn the season points bonus as well as qualify for that final event. A total of $250,000 in prize money is up for the taking in eventing alone. Including show jumping and dressage, $2 million will be awarded to the nation’s top riders.

Want more information on the Open field this week? Click here to view EquiRatings’ Form Guide.

Despite the added pressure of the national spotlight, Lucienne Bellissimo and Horse Scout Eventing’s Dyri (Diarado – La Calera, by King Milford xx) danced their way to the top of the leaderboard at the end of day one in the CCI4*-L at the Morven Park International & Fall Horse Trials. The 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding has scored below 30 in his last five events -– the majority of his 2024 season. He’s coming off a win in the 4*-S at Stable View Oktoberfest at end of September. While he still claimed the top spot on the leaderboard today, he scored higher than usual, pulling in a 30.7.

Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri compete at Morven Park in 2023. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Lucienne attributes his higher score to an early ride time and a shorter-than-usual warm-up. “In all honesty, I would have normally done a little free ride with him, but because my ride time was 8:07 a.m., I didn’t get a chance to do that,” she said. “So he was a touch more tense than he normally would be. I’ve been working a lot more on just his straightness on the center lines and just trying to tweak those areas. And I felt as though he nailed his halt in the center lines today. Some of his lateral work wasn’t quite as true as we’ve had it historically, but I was really pleased with him. And he’s an absolute pleasure to ride on the flat now. He always focuses in the ring.”

Never one to have small goals, Lucienne had been aiming for a sub-26 score this morning and believes Dyri has a bright future ahead of him. “I am a perfectionist,” Lucienne said. “And I think this horse deserves for me to be a perfectionist, because he’s good enough. I really think he’ll get a low-20s test when it all comes together and I’d like to be able to get him there.”

“His attitude is so consistent, and he’s been just a gift all season,” she continued. “To be honest, I think he’s led at his last sort of four or five CCI4* that he’s done. And I really hope I can just do it justice over the next 12 months now and produce him to be confident cross country, and then hopefully we’ll tick all the boxes.”

Lucienne and Dyri have been focused on building the gelding’s confidence on cross country, particularly when it comes to ditch and coffin complexes. Once he’s confident, then Lucienne will start to go for the time.

“He can be such a careful horse, which, again, it’s a blessing. But sometimes I think he almost takes it out of himself, because he gets so looky and he can hang in the air a little bit, and then, bless him, he’s almost losing a second to every fence through the first half of the course,” Lucienne said.

Dyri came to FEI eventing late in life, competing in his first 1* at 8 years old. Lucienne says that because he missed out on traditional fitness work as a young horse, he’s still creating that foundational strength that’s so key to eventing.

“I just keep reiterating that I’m playing the long game on him if he needs to come home with time, he can have some time. I adore him, and I really hope that in the next year or two, he can get a big win,” Lucienne said.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, our 4* contenders will have excellent conditions to tackle Derek di Grazia’s tricky course. “The ground looks fantastic, so that’s definitely in our favor,” Lucienne said. “I would love to be able to get him home in 10 time faults or less if I can. That said, I’m gonna let him tell me when we’re roughly halfway. If he’s breathing and traveling and in the bridle, I’ll keep coming home. But I’m certainly not gonna go like a bullet out of a gun around the first half. I’m gonna let him get halfway, and then if he’s breathing well, I’ll try and get a little bit braver on the way home with him, but I think the course here normally causes enough trouble.”

Hannah Sue Hollberg and Carsonstown. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Following Lucienne is Hannah Sue Hollberg and Carsonstown (Lougherne Cappuchino – Nonavic Spyridonna, by Limmerick) with a score of 32.1. Owned by Christa Schmidt, “Carson” is a 2012 Irish Sport Horse that Hannah describes as a bit behind the leg on the flat and with quite a few… quirks.

“He’s Irish and German, and he’s got the naughty side of both, I feel like,” she said. “He’s just taken a while to kind of grow up and develop. He bucked me off really badly in the dressage warm-up about three years ago and that’s when I got injured. So it’s been a bumpy road with him, but he has really come all the way around in all three phases. And he loves his job now, and it’s a blast to ride him.”

Hannah Sue had a secret weapon helping her prepare for this weekend’s CCI4*-L: grand prix dressage rider Nicholas Fyffe. “I’ve been working with Nicholas Fyffe on the flat, and he has ridden him a couple times for me. And it’s incredible, the difference that he can make. They just all halt square after he rides. He’s been extremely helpful, and I just love riding with him. He’s got the best way of teaching and explaining things and supporting.”

Aiming for the 5* level next year, Hannah Sue and Carson decided to come to Morven Park as part of their preparation. “I think that this is one of, if not the hardest, four star longs in the whole world, in terms of cross country. And I love Carson. He’s an amazing cross country horse, and I want to move him up, hopefully to the five star level next year. So this is a very important next step.”

Despite the challenges tomorrow brings, Hannah Sue and Carson are ready to tackle the cross country course. “The harder, the better, baby. For real, with this horse, if it’s easy, it’s like he has no interest, he has no respect for the fences.”

Buck Davidson and Cooley Candyman. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Buck Davidson and Cooley Candyman (Sligo Candy Boy – Dashing Hill, by Flame Hill) are hot on Hannah’s heels with a score of 32.3. Owned by Buck Davidson and Carl Segal, the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse has had a light few competition seasons since 2021. “I’m just super, super happy with him, and just love the horse,” Buck said. “I just love riding him. He’s been off for a bit with some leg trouble, but hopefully we’re in good shape.”

“Morven Park is, quite honestly, a better cross country course than Fair Hill. It just felt like Fair Hill needs a horse that can just gallop and get to the top of that hill for the water, and then you’re all right,” Buck said. “Rolo’s only 11. I didn’t want to have him discouraged and be tired at Maryland, so I thought this was a better place to bring him.”

Buck threw caution to the wind and didn’t do the familiarization ride prior to his dressage test. “I’m really, really proud of him. I went in all brave and I didn’t do any of the ring familiarization and I didn’t do a pre-ride. And he’s good, like he might have played around a bit before, but he seems to go in there now, if he’s not tired, he doesn’t mess around.”

While Buck is looking forward to cross country tomorrow, he’s also attempting to make the time on a lightning-fast trip to Florida this afternoon with hopes to be back by his ride time tomorrow. Everyone keep your fingers crossed the traffic goes Buck’s way. “I’m on my way to the airport right now to go pick up my kids in Florida and then fly back. So my biggest thing right now is that all the planes are on time so I can be back here to ride tomorrow,” Buck laughed.

Jennie Brannigan and Connery. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Leading the US Equestrian Open qualifier CCI4*-S is Jennie Brannigan and Tim and Nina Gardner’s Connery. What many fans don’t know is that Connery’s barn name is “Sean,” which is something I will never get enough of. Scores are tight in the 4*-S this weekend, with Jennie just barely keeping second placed Hannah Sue Hollberg and Business Ben at bay by 0.3 points.

This weekend marks one year since Sean was last running at the Advanced level; he unfortunately came up with a hot leg at Boekelo last year and has taken the time to recover. “When he was at Boekelo last fall, he had a little bit of a hot leg there, and so we gave him extra time off.” This weekend marks Sean’s first Advanced/4* start in his return to the top levels.

Jennie is hoping to turn around a streak of bad luck that has tailed Sean throughout his Advanced career with this weekend’s run. “He’s had a couple unlucky things happen, like he tripped in a creek at Boekelo. It didn’t have anything to do with a jump. And then he just fell turning on the flat at Rebecca. It was my fault,” Jennie said. “So, I’m just excited to have him back, because he’s a really nice horse and one of my best ones for the future.”

According to Jennie, the 4*-S walks like a true Derek di Grazia track — a real challenge. “I don’t think it’s gonna be a dressage show, that’s for sure,” she said. “I walked the course with Erik [Duvander] last night, and it looks really proper, like Derek’s courses always are.”

You can get a good preview of what’s in store for tomorrow in the Morven cross country preview:

A fence-by-fence preview is also available on CrossCountryApp here.

The first riders will leave the start box tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. eastern time, with the 3* leading the way, followed by the 4*-S and then the 4*-L. If you can’t attend in person, you’re missing out on the beautiful fall atmosphere in Morven Park, but you can catch up on some of the action by watching the first leg of the US Equestrian Open on the USEF Network, which will carry all cross country tomorrow. You can also follow along live on the Morven Park YouTube channel here.

Morven Park Fall International & H.T. (VA): [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [YouTube Channel] [USEF Network] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Morven Park to the Maryland 5*: The Ultimate Itinerary for Locals & Horse Lovers

By Veronica Green-Gott on Sep 26, 2024 1:00 pm -

Beautiful Morven Park! Photo by Sally Spickard.

Eventing is sadly siloed from the non-horse community. It feels as though the days where the average person would attend a horse show as easily as going to the movies are long gone. Now that horses aren’t a part of everyone’s daily lives as either transportation or working partners, few people outside of the horse world know much of anything about how special they are. It’s time we welcomed non-horsey spectators into the fold and re-introduced them to the animals that worked and played alongside all of our ancestors.

To that end, I’ve created an itinerary for a day at a horse show and put it to the test. With the Morven Park International & Fall Horse Trials right around the corner, I built my itinerary around the venue’s hometown: Leesburg, Virginia. What makes this road trip so amazing is that it can become part of a larger itinerary where you get to see two back-to-back events that are just two hours away from each other: the Morven Park International & Fall Horse Trials (October 10th through the 13th) and the Maryland Five Star (October 17th through the 20th).

Everyone is welcome to the Morven Park International & Fall Horse Trial on October 10th through the 13th. Spectators get free admission, unless they’d like to tailgate on Saturday or enter the VIP tent on Friday and Sunday. If you’re new to the sport of eventing, I’d highly recommend spending Saturday morning at the horse park to watch cross country, which is arguably the most exciting phase of the sport. Wear good walking shoes and if you’re unsure where to go, stick with the crowds. Spectators will want to gather by Morven Park’s newly expanded water jump which has essentially doubled in size, and will now be used by all FEI levels, not just the CCI3* and CCI4*.

Caitlin Silliman and Ally KGO compete at Morven Park. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.

Dogs are welcome at Morven Park, however, they must be leashed (with the other end of the leash securely in your hand!) and you must clean up after them. I was accompanied by my long-suffering mutt, Maddi. She definitely enjoyed walking on the cross country course with me and also got lots of treats and made plenty of new friends as we walked around Leesburg. The town is famously dog friendly. Knowing that many eventers bring their dogs with them to horse shows, I decided to put that reputation to the test. I’m happy to report, we had a wonderful day and you can absolutely bring your dog with you to downtown Leesburg. If you have a pup with you, look for the dog-friendly decal on store windows; many stores welcome your dog inside.

After spending your morning watching some of the best riders in the business tackle the Olympic level cross country course, hop in the car for a short 10-minute drive to Goosecup, the cutest cafe in Leesburg, in my opinion. The atmosphere there is very modern indie. What do the youths say? It’s very “brat.” …I think. I got the Hugo Grey tea, and it was delicious, like an Earl Gray, but instead of Bergamot Oil, there was a hint of grapefruit. Check out the amazing pastries in the glass case and remember that you’re an adult and have to practice self control. Then remember that you’re an adult, you make your own rules, and buy one.

Leesburg and Loudoun County are very dog-friendly!

Goosecup is directly across the street from the Washington & Old Dominion Trail (or the W & OD as the locals call it). It’s the perfect spot to take a walk with your tea or coffee, but watch out for cyclists. They’re very respectful but they tend to come in hot. I’d suggest walking on the grass. After a brisk walk, drive a few minutes up the road to the downtown public parking garage to take advantage of the free parking from Friday evening through Monday morning during the summer.

You can’t go wrong with simply wandering around downtown without a plan. Stores are welcoming and each one has something different to enjoy. But because I’m a planner, I had a list of stores and shops that I wanted to hit while I was in Leesburg, starting with the Birch Tree Bookstore.

Located right next to the downtown parking garage, Birch Tree Bookstore is a little maze of a shop, filled with books crammed into every corner in the front and with a beautiful plant store in the back. If you follow the signs to the outdoor courtyard, you’ll find a hidden spot where you can sit under a sun shade, read the book you just bought, and enjoy the plants surrounding you in what feels like your own version of a secret garden. If you’re not sure what to read, ask the clerks. They’re lovely and have some great recommendations. I picked up “Yellowface” by R. F. Kuang and can’t wait to crack it open.

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After that, I headed to SideBar Lounge for brunch and to try their Verdict cocktail, which was so pretty. Similar to a paloma, it was very grapefruit forward and had a beautiful heart design on the top of the drink. I would absolutely recommend the french toast with seasonal fruit, it had the perfect amount of whip cream and chocolatey hazelnut drizzle, topped with blueberries and strawberries.

Next, I headed to the Brick & Mortar Mercantile where Maddi got a treat and a couple pats and I toured a fun collection of products, from funny coasters to nice t-shirts. If you’re looking for a present for a man in your life, whether that’s your father, brother, or significant other, I’d definitely recommend stopping in there.

Before getting back in the car, I stopped at the Loudoun Museum. Now, you can’t bring your dog inside, but there is a beautiful mural to admire on the outside wall, as well as a few placards and a small exhibit on women’s suffrage next to a historic cabin. Hiding behind the Museum, next to the parking garage, is a quiet little garden with chairs and tables where you can sit and read before hopping in your car and driving on to your next destination.

Now, technically, you can walk to the Dodona Manor Gardens at the George C. Marshall International Center, however, if you’ve just walked the cross country course at Morven Park in the morning and around downtown Leesburg as well, you may want to drive a couple minutes. The entrance and parking is in the Dodona Manor Shopping Plaza. There are two dog-friendly, self-guided exterior tours you can take: a tree tour and an architectural tour. Interior docent-led tours are not dog-friendly and cost $15 dollars for adults. If you’re not much of a history buff, I’d still recommend going and at least checking out the grounds. For being tucked away in the center of Leesburg, it’s a remarkably quiet spot.

Driving just 15 minutes west of Leesburg, you’ll find Another Turn Tack, which has great prices on a variety of supplies. If you forgot anything you need for a competition at Morven Park, you’ll be able to find a replacement there. I picked up some much-needed Hawthorne Sole Pack for my barefoot Off the Track Thoroughbred and spent some time admiring some really nice four-fold stock ties that came in a variety of cute colors and patterns.

Finally, I ended the day with a glass of wine at The Barns at Hamilton Station. The wine was delicious. I’d highly recommend the 2021 Cascina, if you’re a white wine person like me. It’s full bodied, complex, and not too sweet. They have live music on the outdoor patio every weekend from 2 to 5 p.m. I was treated to the musical stylings of Steve Boyd and Friends, who performed an excellent rendition of Rocky Top.

If you’re starting to make your fall plans, I’d highly recommend adding Morven Park and Leesburg to your list. Whether you’re a die-hard eventer or haven’t seen a horse since you took a pony ride at the county fair when you were 8 years old, you’ll enjoy an amazing day in small town Virginia. After you’re done in Northern Virginia, you can take a scenic two-hour drive to Northern Maryland and enjoy more eventing action at the Maryland Five Star at Fair Hill.

This article is sponsored by Morven Park International Equestrian Center, where you can find Olympic-level eventing at a welcoming venue tucked away in the rolling hills of Northern Virginia. Join us at the Morven Park International & Fall Horse Trials this October! Reserve your tailgate spot to get up close to all the cross country action. Or, buy a VIP pass to watch dressage and show jumping from the best seat in the park.

Life On a Budget: Side Hustling Your Way Into Eventing

By Veronica Green-Gott on Sep 24, 2024 12:30 pm -

When the average person hears that I own a horse, visions of Floridian mansions and champagne bottles at the racetrack pop into their head. While I’m glad that the rich and famous can help fund our sport, that lifestyle is far, far, far from the reality for most eventers. The real lifeblood of eventing is in the everyday person who pays their bills in sweat, blood, and tears. We are a community of hustlers. We are the people who get up early for one job in the morning, work a 9 to 5 during the day, and then head to the barn to muck stalls and hopefully have time to ride the horse we do all this for.

My reality is working full-time running my business and then working at the barn in the evenings to get discounts on my board so I can afford to keep my $500 dollar Off the Track Thoroughbred, and occasionally refinishing and flipping furniture for some spending money. But, I’ve always been curious if there’s a better way to side hustle that could help me not only stay afloat, but get ahead. Who better to ask than other eventers who are side hustling just like me?

We asked our amazing base of eventing fans about how they side hustle and they came through. What an amazing group of hard-working and creative eventers! We’re lucky to have you as our readers.

Make Horse Trials Pay for Themselves
Besides board and vet bills, competing is probably the most expensive part of eventing. These EN readers have found ways to earn money at competitions. From working as a freelance groom to braiding and clipping horses for horse shows, there are quite a few ways you can monetize your time at events.

“I’ve been a professional braider for 13 years. I regularly have 20-25 clients at a horse trials. It’s a great way to meet new people and make friends. 10 years ago, I was braiding their ponies. Now those girls are joining their college eventing teams. And it pays for my entries!” – @harleycoz

“I have a 9-5 desk job (unrelated to horses) that pays for horses, and also allows me to freelance groom at some of the biggest horse shows in the world (including the Paris 2024 Olympic Games)!” – @ wavrykam

“Currently, I’m a groom, vet tech and bartender. On the side, I clip horses, pull manes and braid manes and tails at events. I have a handful of house and farm sitting clients that squeeze in their trips when I’m home from shows. I also teach a bit during camps at my barn.” – Lexie Priest

“I became a XC course designer…” – David Taylor

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Turn Another Hobby Into a Side Hustle
Hustlers learn to monetize every aspect of their personality and take their money making talents far beyond the barn. Just like I’m able to sell some furniture on the side (thank you mom and dad for teaching me how), these readers are taking advantage of their other hobbies and skills and putting them to work.

“I work full time at Swarthmore College and The Scott Arboretum as a Garden Supervisor. My side hustle is writing articles for various online and printed publications. I also give gardening talks, floral arrangement demonstrations/classes and teach classes at other public gardens and to garden clubs.” – Adam Glas

“I started selling my art so I could afford to buy and keep a horse, but fifteen years later, it’s grown into my full-time job!” – Aradia Diane Willard

Take Advantage of What The Good Lord Gave You
Plasma. We’re talking about plasma here, folks. Get your heads out of the gutter. I was very curious about this one, so I did a little research. After scrolling a few different websites, it seems like most people get paid around $50 per donation, but you can earn more the more you donate. Some organizations even offer a new donor bonus. Make sure you research the pros and cons of plasma donation and consult your doctor before taking that step.

“It’s all in the plasma! Giving people in need something potentially life saving and in return receiving funds for shows/leases/lessons (life saving for my sanity)” – @ kate.dhuy

Look for Unique Boarding Situations
Have you heard of co-op boarding? Co-op boarding means that all the boarders share the work. Chores are split between the riders and owners, which results in reduced board.

“I’ve always kept my horses at co-op barns. We all shared the chores in exchange for a much lower board rate. Depending on the farm the arrangement varied slightly. Sometimes I was responsible for providing my own hay, sometimes the farm supplied it. I was always responsible for providing my own hay, grain and supplements. The breakdown of chores also varied, but most commonly depending on the number of humans/horses you would be assigned a certain number of chores per week, as would everyone else.” – Becca O’Hurley

“When I was still in uni, I worked at McDonalds to afford horse board. My horse was boarded at a co-op barn, so I was up early cleaning stalls before my classes, then worked at McD’s in the evenings. I was also a working student later on, which I much preferred, as I would rather come home smelling like horses than fried food grease. I worked as a nurse’s aide, government clerk, copy writer/editor, and technical writer. I also worked for several years submitting pharmaceutical reports to FDA.” – Brandi Borkent

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Monetize Your Horse Skills
There are lots of different ways to make money within the horse industry. You don’t have to limit yourself to braiding or mucking stalls. These readers took advantage of their more exclusive skills and figured out different ways to turn their equine knowledge into a paying gig.

“I am a realtor and have recently opened my barn to be a horse hotel and have even AirBnB my walkout basement. It’s pretty lucrative so far!” – @ allison_deveraux_murphy

“Where to start? Outside of my regular full-time office job, I clip horses, teach riding lessons, perform PEMF therapy, and have just come up on the 1-year anniversary of my very own online equestrian masterclass program: Equine Academy!” – Michael Willham

“I got trained and certified, and now teach equine health and emergency first aid classes on the weekends. I feel really good about this side hustle because it helps horse owners help their horses when they need it the most. Still have a full time job in addition, and work another side gig helping a professional trainer whenever time allows. I really enjoy volunteering at Galway Downs and try to fit that piece in also. Now to find time for riding. Whew! 😅” – Equine Support Services USA

“Main job – Chartered Accountant. Second job to pay for horse – early mornings at the local race track as a stable hand.” – Larissa Thyne

Work at Your Barn for Reduced Board
This might be one of the most common ways to afford horses. At nearly every barn, you can find a boarder dutifully mucking stalls, emptying water troughs, and generally getting dirty. While situations like this one can be mutually beneficial for both barn owner and boarder, make sure you set boundaries and don’t let yourself work when you’re supposed to be off-duty.

“Work full time for a university, teach riding lessons in the evenings and on weekends, do the late feeding at the barn in the evenings 7 days a week, and never go on vacation (I have 2 horses in the Bay Area 🥴)” – @aen.1984

“I feed and clean stalls at a couple local barns most days of the week, from Sep-Oct I work every weekend on the pony ring at my friend’s pumpkin patch, and sometimes I’m even at my actual full-time office job! 😂” – Paige Stallard

Take Advantage of Your 9 to 5 for Discounts
If you think your vet really gets to bring home the bacon every time you have to call because your horse managed to think up a new creative way to get injured, you’d sadly be wrong. On average, veterinarians still need to hustle to maintain their horse habit. However, one of the big benefits of working in the veterinary field are the discounts.

“I’m a vet, take extra shifts wherever I can, and am forever grateful that I get a staff discount on meds when my horse needs antibiotics for pulling a shoe and stepping on the nail, or wound spray when he cut up his leg jumping into his field after breaking out of his stable, or pain killers for his hoof abscesses, or a steroid injection when he broke out in hives when stung by something at a show, or…. 🤪🤣” – Rebbecca Beckett

“Professionally I am a veterinary technician, which allows me discounted services and medications. On the side I exercise horses, all the extra funds go to pay for my horse’s board and shoeing.” – Stephanie Jones

The Most Unique Side Hustlers are…
These EN readers are really getting creative. I had no idea painting cars and selling chickens and ducks could fund a horse habit! How do you become an electrician on weekends alone? Please, I need more information here.

“Painting Cars!” – Sophie Kelly

“I work every other weekend as an electrician to afford my horses.” – Holly Bordeau

“Training and selling horses; renting dry stalls; breeding and selling chickens, ducks and eggs; selling drag cars and car parts.” – Jennarose Ortmeyer

This article was sponsored by Breeches.com, your go-to store for high-quality tack at affordable prices. I’m not only a hustler in how I get my money, but also in where I spend my money. Discount tack stores are the only place I shop and you’ll never catch me buying anything for full-price. Breeches.com has become my go-to place to shop for great deals, thanks to their amazing clearance section.

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10 Reasons to Visit Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina

By Veronica Green-Gott on Aug 24, 2024 10:00 am -

Photo by Christine Quinn Photography.

The fall season is kicking off, but it won’t be long before the 2024 competition season is wrapped up and locked away into the recesses of photo albums and memories. Make the most of the remainder of the competition season and head to Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina.

As part of Eventing Nation’s team of reporters, I’ve been lucky enough to visit Stable View several times now, and it’s become a dream of mine to go with one of my horses, just for fun. Here’s why it’s on my bucket list and why it should be on yours, too.

World-Class Competition

We would be absolutely remiss if the number one reason to visit Stable View wasn’t their world class lineup of competitions. There’s a reason why Stable View was chosen as the location of Team USA’s last outing prior to the Paris Olympics. Stable View hosts a variety of amazing competitions to take advantage, from kicking off the spring season with the USEF/USEA Aiken Spring Opener Horse Trials to the April $60,000 FEI CCI-S 2/3/4* & USEF/USEA Horse Trials and finally, ending the season with their Oktoberfest CCI4* at the end of September, Stable View’s summer calendar is filled with action for every level of competitor.

Stable View isn’t just an eventing mecca. It’s also home to a series of dressage and hunter/jumper competitions. If you’d like to work on your show jumping or dressage phases, you’ll have double the opportunity you would if you stayed at a straight eventing venue. Or, if you really feel like switching things up, try your hand at a hunter derby.

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Endless Schooling Opportunities

If you’re looking for schooling opportunities in Aiken, South Carolina, start with Stable View. Even Olympians take advantage of schooling Stable View’s cross country fields and atmospheric arenas. Boyd Martin spends his winter months at the Aiken horse farm, taking full advantage of all that Stable View has to offer. The Boyd Martin/ETB Schooling Field is available to everyone who wants to come to Stable View to school cross country.

If you’re looking for a schooling competition, take advantage of Stable View’s Eventing Academy series. Designed for riders of all levels, this unique schooling competition allows riders to train on the cross country course and in the dressage and/or show jumping rings two days prior to an unrecognized competition.

Tailgaiting and a car show? A real neighborhood event at Stable View! Photo by Christine Quinn.

Be Part of an Active Community

Unlike many other competitions, Stable View creates opportunities for competitors to stay and talk to other riders and staff after competition has ended. Most evenings, they host a free Gaze & Graze at the eco-friendly pavilion with amazing food right from their kitchen and drinks from the downstairs bar. Last season, a mechanical bull even made an appearance!

Stay with Your Horse

Make every night a sleepover at the barn. Stable View offers luxurious accommodations for horses and riders alike. In many cases, you can stay just feet away from your horse or opt for luxurious accommodations in the upstairs apartment above the main barn. Whether you choose to board in the Work Shed, Kennel, Main Barn, or East Barn, you’ll have an option to stay close to your horse.

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Affordable Training Opportunities
Despite having so many amazing facilities, Stable View is able to keep their prices relatively low. The Eventing Academy is a great way to get in some schooling and competition time without spending the hundreds of dollars you would burn at a recognized event. You can also take advantage of Stable View’s integrated training program, which costs $100 per horse per day and includes the use of the Boyd Martin/ETB Cross Country field and the outdoor arena for dressage and stadium. Otherwise, use of the Boyd Martin/ETB Cross Country Field alone is $60.

Train on Top Notch Footing

The footing you ride on matters! Good footing can mean the difference between a soft tissue injury and a sound horse. Stable View has six arenas that feature premiere Attwood Footing. As the world’s leading equestrian surfaces company, Attwood works hard to stay ahead of the latest technological developments when it comes to footing. When you ride in one of Stable View’s arenas, you know you’re riding on the gold standard of equestrian footing.

Explore Beautiful Aiken, South Carolina

Stable View calls beautiful Aiken, South Carolina home. With streets lined with Live Oaks draped in Spanish Moss and a thriving downtown community, Aiken is worth the time away from your horse. Every week there’s something new going on downtown, from art exhibits to live music to farmer’s markets and more, everyone will find something to enjoy during an evening in downtown Aiken.

Veronica Green-Gott and Carolyn Weinheimer in the Hitchcock Woods

Enjoy Hitchcock Woods

Just a short 20 minute drive away from Stable View, you’ll find the iconic Hitchcock Woods. One of the largest urban forests in the nation, the Hitchcock Woods is a paradise for equestrians, especially eventers. With 70 miles of sandy trails, you’ll find cross country fences scattered throughout the 2100 acres. Feel like a kid again as you gallop through the trails, jump cross country fences, and trail ride through scenic woods

Visit The Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame

Are you a history buff? The Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame is perfect for those equestrians who love history and horse racing. The Racing Hall of Fame celebrates Thoroughbreds who were trained in Aiken and who have gone on to become national champions. Once inside, you’ll find a large collection of trophies and photographs from Thoroughbred race horses who played polo, ran steeplechase, and pounded down the track to victory. Admission is free!

Fun for the Whole Family

Are you a blended family of equestrians and non-equestrians? Lucky for you, it’s become easier than ever to convince your non-horsey family members to visit Stable View with you. Stable View isn’t just for equestrians– it’s for everyone. Spanning 1,000 acres, Stable View also plays host to a series of foot races, great for the runner in your family. Spend time in their Healing Arts Center, where they host yoga classes and more. With the recent development of an environmental program, Stable View is also the perfect retreat for avid birdwatchers. You may even catch a glimpse of the rare Red-Cockaged Woodpecker!

Eventing Nation is proud to be sponsored by Stable View, Aiken’s Gathering Place. To learn more about all that Stable View has to offer you, your family, and your horse, take a look at their website. Get in touch with Stable View here.

A New Approach to Fitness & Recovery at Twin Ponds Farm

By Veronica Green-Gott on Aug 23, 2024 9:45 am -

When Eventing Nation reporter Abby Powell spoke with Dr. Ashley Taylor back in 2015, she was working alongside Dr. Keane in his practice, Sports Medicine Associates of Chester County, dreaming of becoming a top veterinarian. Nearly a decade later, Dr. Taylor is well on her way to realizing that dream, if it hasn’t come true already.

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Now the owner of Sports Medicine Associates of Chester Country. Dr. Taylor recently founded Twin Ponds Farm, a sports medicine rehabilitation and fitness facility offering the latest technologies in equine health. Recently established, this will be Twin Ponds Farm first summer in operation.

Located in Chester Country, the rehab center is managed daily by a crack team, including long-time friend of Dr. Taylor’s Sara Stone, and Emma Ford. If you’re familiar with Chester County, then you’ll know how this little slice of Pennsylvania is truly a piece of eventing heaven. Twin Ponds Farm is closely surrounded by Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, Jennie Brannigan, Erin Kanara, and Caitlin Silliman, many of whom bring their upper level horses to the facility. “Within a five to 10 mile radius, we have a really strong concentration of upper level eventers, and even a lot of racehorses that train nearby, as well as jumpers and Hunter/Jumpers. It’s a really concentrated area of sport horses,” Dr. Taylor said.

Establishing the facility has been a dream of Dr. Taylor’s since she took over Dr. Keane’s veterinary practice. “It’s really fun to see these horses get better and go home and some go on to show again and some are just retired and people love them,” she said. “I’m obviously very interested in eventing, I compete myself and grew up competing. Most of my clients are eventers. Fitness is extra important in eventing and something that we spend a lot of time focusing on with the event horses. So it was a personal and professional interest of mine.”

Rehabilitation/Fitness Coordinator Sara also has a passion for equine sports medicine. “I love being in this area, it’s just so nice to be involved with this clientele. Originally my interest was more in racing, but coming here just seemed like a good progression, because I knew these people from a few years ago, before I left to go to Kentucky, and then I get to come back and it was like, nothing really changed. Having worked for Ashley, I know how she sees things and treats things. And because we’re friends, I think we have a really good level of communication.”

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Dr. Taylor and her team offer a wide variety of services, including everything from treadmill work to PEMF to Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). Dr. Taylor’s services focus on building fitness in the event horse without the wear and tear. Many of her upper level professional riders bring their horses in either pre- and/or post-ride. What’s perhaps most used by eventers is the cold saltwater treadmill.

“After a big cross country school or gallop, they’ll come here afterwards and use [the treadmill] just to loosen the horses up, break down all that lactic acid and get them really loose and comfortable after their ride because it’s the cold salt water that really helps them out,” Dr. Taylor said. “And then also some riders are using it before their dressage rides, because it really helps loosen the horses up, supple them up. People have said that they warm up a lot faster and are a lot more comfortable during their ride.”

Why salt water and not your run-of-the-mill tap water? Similar to soaking a horse’s feet in epsom salts when they have an abscess, salt water has additional benefits. “It adds just a little bit of an extra therapeutic benefit,” said Dr. Taylor. “And it is helpful for pulling inflammation out of the horse’s legs. That’s why it tends to be great because the horses are moving their large muscle groups when they’re on the water treadmill, but their distal limbs are basically getting cold saltwater treatment. So their tendons and ligaments are getting cooling anti-inflammatory therapy while their muscles are getting warm.”

This combination of inflammation-reducing cold water, as well as the additional drag of the water is a unique combination that allows event horses to build fitness without the possible damage to the legs of traditional galloping. Dr. Taylor says she wouldn’t replace traditional methods of cardiovascular fitness completely with the saltwater treadmill. “It’s not the same cardiovascular workout that you get from swimming a horse or galloping a horse, their heart rates don’t get up that high. It is very much like strength fitness, like if you were doing squats. Depending on the height of the water, we can increase the horse’s mobility in their back, their movement, all that. So we use the water height as a tool to help the horses move.”

That being said, you wouldn’t want to jump right into the highest water level available. Dr. Taylor builds the horses in her program up to deeper levels over time, depending on the feedback from the horse. “Sara is really good at talking to the rider and evaluating the horse as they’re going and seeing what they can tolerate or what’s too hard,” Dr. Taylor said. “And we have a really precise record keeping system so that we can follow every horse every time they’re on the treadmill. We can see any changes, good or bad.”

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If you’re planning on using Twin Ponds Farm’s services to get your event horse fit, Sara says the best thing to do is start early and come in often. “I want them to be training at what I call full capacity for a little while before the event. So I think it takes about seven or so sessions to get them to where I really think I can put the water up to knee and above– in that range. And then work them up incrementally to a time where they’re in there for about 25 minutes.”

There’s a fine line between building your horse’s fitness and overdoing it, which is why having the experience of Dr. Taylor and Sara on hand to guide the horse’s program is so valuable. “I want them coming in quite a bit before crunch time, so the riders know how the horse is gonna react,” Sara said. “For example, I don’t want them to go into their jump school with a tired horse, you know? I need to know how they respond to the work to really lock in the right program. But the more you can do, I think the more benefit.”

Dr. Taylor and Sara work hand-in-hand with their mentor, German veterinarian Dr. Mathias Boughman, who has been using cold saltwater treadmills for equine fitness for the last 30 years. “Dr. Boughman found that by getting their bodies so much stronger, their legs only benefit. He found less soft tissue injuries as they were getting their core and their backs and all those things strong,” Sara said. “I think it can be a game changer for equine fitness and injury recovery.”

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Their program was really put to the test when a horse with a fractured shoulder came into their facility. “The owner basically called me and said, ‘My vet said I should put my horse down and I know you rehab horses. Can you fix him?’ And I said, ‘I have no idea.’ Because it’s not the wrong recommendation to put the horse down by any means. But you know, at that point, he was at least comfortable enough to be stall rested. And so we started there,” Dr. Taylor said.

Sara and Dr. Taylor pulled out all the stops for the horse with the fractured shoulder. At first, their hope was that he could possibly be rehabilitated into a pasture puff, but as he became more and more sound, they began to wonder if he could possibly be a riding horse once again.

“We used a lot of different modalities with the Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) and the laser, because he had a lot of atrophy from the injury. So we use the FES to help build the muscle in the shoulder while he was on stall rest,” Dr. Taylor said. “And then we just gradually increased his turnout and his hand walking, we did some cavaletti for physical therapy to try to get him to like lift the leg because he was kind of dragging the toe. And then we progressed him to the treadmill, which was once again helping him increase the range of motion in the leg.”

As Sara engineered a program for him on the treadmill, he began to get stronger and stronger. “He was interested in the treadmill, because we kind of got to a point where the water was at his knee. And we’re like, ‘Okay, well, he’s here, he’s doing really well. Let’s play with it. Let’s raise the water up even higher and see what happens,’” Sara said. “And I feel like at the end when Ashley injected his knee, and we raised the water up, I think that last little bit of added strength, added movement really helped him.”

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Now the horse is back in full work, he’s turned out with his pasture mates and is being ridden on a near daily basis by his owner. Without surgery and only through non-invasive treatments, the horse went from a fatal injury to healthy, happy, and back under saddle.

Many people view rehabilitation facilities as just for extreme cases like the horse with the fractured shoulder. And while these extreme cases make for great studies on how these modalities can help our horses heal from injury or exercise, the reality is that a place like Twin Ponds Farm can prevent horses from being injured in the first place by increasing fitness without the wear and tear.

“A lot of these tools can be used in conjunction with a healthy, normal horse that you’re trying to improve their condition or their fitness, and a lot of them also are used to help promote healing for horses with injury,” She said. “Our goal is just to offer a resource for horse owners and other veterinarians, whether it’s for a horse that’s sick or injured or just a horse that is competing that you want to try to improve or maintain.”

Go eventing.

Amelia Newcomb: Spreading Dressage for All Across the Globe

By Veronica Green-Gott on Aug 6, 2024 9:30 am -

Photo courtesy of Amelia Newcomb Dressage.

“I love riding, I love horses, and then of course, I love helping as many people as possible to really be able to enjoy their horses, to make progress and communicate with our horses and to have a really good relationship with our horses.”

Amelia Newcomb is well on her way to reaching as many people as possible; currently she’s teaching as many as 400,000 people via her social media accounts and YouTube channel. But unlike many dressage trainers, she isn’t in segmenting her student base to only professionals or just beginner riders.

Instead, her mission is Dressage for All.

With students literally across the globe, Amelia is teaching dressage to riders of all levels from a variety of disciplines in places as far away as Japan, the Middle East, and even Africa.

“Dressage really is the foundation that allows you to do all of the other disciplines, whether you’re on the trail or you’re jumping, or you’re chasing after a cow, or you just want to enjoy your horse as a pleasure horse,” Amelia said. “You want to have the fundamentals of dressage, you want your horse to be supple and relaxed and on the aids, so that you can stay safe and enjoy your horse. It’s really about helping people regardless of their level, or their horse’s breed, or their discipline. It’s about developing a connection with your horse, and then also teaching your horse to use and move their body in a way that’s really healthy and efficient for them.”

A Multi-Disciplinary Background

Coming from a multi-disciplinary background herself, Amelia practices what she preaches. “I started out riding dressage, and then I went to the Western world for a while. I had a horse who was really difficult and he was rearing and so we went back to doing groundwork and natural horsemanship stuff to kind of rehab him and get him back going. I did roping, reining, and cow horse stuff for a while. So I’ve definitely been in that realm as well.”

There’s a reason why many of the best riders out there are not the best teachers. It’s difficult to teach what comes naturally to you. Amelia’s journey to becoming a professional rider is probably what makes her such a good teacher.

“When I started riding, I was not a natural rider. I fell off a lot, I was very unbalanced and uncoordinated, and it was hard for me to really learn how to stay on and what to do with my body and how to develop my seat and my position,” Amelia said. “I have also had some really, really difficult horses. Horses that made me feel like I’m not a good rider, and I should just quit, and I should give up and this is too hard. And so I feel like it’s my obligation to give back and to help people through that journey, which can be so difficult and so hard, and so heartbreaking at times. If I can help them just that little bit to get through some hard times, or to figure something new about their horse or about their riding, then that’s really special.”

Now, Amelia has grown to appreciate the difficulties that come with riding horses. “One thing I love about riding and horses is that you’re never done learning. It’s endless. My husband says, ‘You can be frustrated for life.’ There’s always going to be a new problem or something that you need to try to fix.”

Amelia’s journey to teaching was sparked with a little support from her brother, Joseph Newcomb, who runs Joseph Newcomb Dressage. “So my brother actually had a YouTube channel, and he was like, ‘Oh, you should start one,’” Amelia said. “I started making one YouTube video each week and it started out really slow. But then I started getting feedback from people saying, ‘Wow, this video really helped me with my riding.’ It just grew from there.”’

The Benefits of Going Virtual

Originally I was admittedly skeptical of Amelia’s business model. Having only ever taken in-person lessons, I was a little confused as to how students could learn a physical sport online. It turns out, I wasn’t the only one who started off skeptical. “At first, I thought, ‘Oh, there’s no way that people could learn to ride online,’” said Amelia. “But the proof is there. I was at the Horse Expo last weekend, and I had people come up to me with tears in their eyes, saying, ‘You’ve changed my life.’ And I had never even met them before. It’s become something really special.”

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A post shared by Amelia Newcomb Dressage (@amelianewcombdressage)

Because she does all of her teaching through Zoom, Youtube, Facebook, and her website, there’s no geographic limit to Amelia’s student base, and she works hard to ensure there’s no financial obstacle either. Amelia promotes accessibility to the sport with various forms of free content. “One thing that I think is very hard about any horse sport is that it is very expensive and it can get very elitist,” Amelia said. “So that is also part of the Dressage for All mission. If you want to learn and you want to have a better relationship with your horse, I’m here to help you.”

Amelia’s 30 Day Challenges are likely her most popular program, and it’s easy to see why. With a chance to win cash prizes totaling $10,000 dollars, there’s a big incentive to not only join the challenge, but commit to it wholeheartedly.

“The challenges are really fun because they motivate you to work towards a goal,” Amelia said. “You have 30 days to improve your riding in a specific area. You submit a video at the beginning and at the end, and then we review hundreds of videos, which is kind of insane. But whoever improves the most wins the most.”

If you want to have a little bit more of that community feel that’s present in traditional lesson programs, you can join Amelia’s Dressage Club. “We do have an amazing community. We have a free Facebook group, which is called Amelia’s Dressage Club. It’s just a group of horse enthusiasts that are excited about learning. We work really, really hard to keep it a safe space where people can ask questions, and get positive and constructive feedback.”

Basics, Empathy, Respect

Amelia’s program is founded on the philosophy that most training issues can be solved by a return to the basics. “Oftentimes, when you run into a training problem with your horse, it’s when you’ve made things too complicated. It’s about really going back to the basics and breaking things down, step by step, and kind of using frameworks and using exercises to make it more understandable for you and for your horse.”

Photo courtesy of Amelia Newcomb Dressage.

Her background in natural horsemanship has impressed upon her a deep gratitude and respect for the horses she works with.

“What’s really important to me is helping the horses, because by helping the riders, I’m helping the horses to feel more secure and more confident and to understand what they want from their riders,” Amelia said. “Horses are such incredible creatures, the fact that they let us ride them and train them to do these amazing things is remarkable. We have to train our horses through understanding and kindness, rather than just forcing them and adding pressure. So that’s part of why I do it, too. It’s not only for the people, I do love all my audience, but it’s also for the horses.”

Learning dressage online is completely different from traditional in-person lessons, making it a good choice for dedicated students who want to extend their learning to outside the saddle. “When you’re on your horse, you have to be very much in the moment,” Amelia said. “What’s happening around you? Is your horse getting tense or nervous? What’s the rider next to you in the arena doing? What’s your horse going to spook at? Sometimes in the moment, it’s hard to digest new information. Your trainer might be trying to explain to you the theory of riding or a new exercise or where to put your leg, but you’re so wound up in what’s happening or what could happen, that it’s hard to process that information.”

Amelia recommends studying her content in a quiet moment. “Go home at night, sit on your couch, and hear that instruction again when you’re in a moment where you can really close your eyes and visualize and think through it. It really, really helps.”

It’s for exactly this reason that Amelia says trainers will recommend her videos and blogs to their students. “Their students are going home and studying and learning outside of their lesson time, it allows the student to make a lot more progress and to really maximize their time in the saddle.”

Dressage for Safety and Fitness

How often do you work on your dressage each week? I’m willing to bet there’s quite a large group of eventers out there who spend more time focusing on their show jumping technique or gallop sets. However, Amelia emphasizes that we should focus on our dressage not only to get ahead in competitions, but also for safety and fitness.

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A post shared by Amelia Newcomb Dressage (@amelianewcombdressage)

“I think that a big part of dressage is about getting your horse on the aids and developing communication and trust with your horse, and you need that when you’re out on cross country,” Amelia said. “If the footing isn’t perfect, or if you have a big fence, or if your horse gets spooked, you have to have that control and that adjustability to be able to keep you and your horse safe. First and foremost, dressage is about safety and having that control and that bond and that partnership.”

Amelia points out that you can’t exactly teach your horse to be more responsive in the heat of the moment as you bear down upon a large fence. Or, at least, it’s a lot safer if you teach responsiveness and adjustability before you find yourself in that position.

“Horses can only learn in times when they’re relaxed, and they feel safe,” Amelia said. “You always want to teach your horse how to respond to your leg, to your reins in a situation where they’re safe and they’re relaxed. You don’t want to wait to see if the aids actually work in a pressure-filled situation, like when you’re at a full gallop and you’re headed to a fence. If your horse isn’t listening– that’s not a good feeling. And that’s not going to be good for you or for your horse. It really is first and foremost about safety for you and for your horse.”

Photo courtesy of Amelia Newcomb Dressage.

Commonly referred to as weightlifting for horses, dressage can also help build our horses’ fitness. “It takes so long to build a partnership with our horses that to have to start over again because of an injury is just terrible and heartbreaking,” Amelia said. “A big part of dressage is the soundness, both physical and mental for the horses.”

With the right exercises, we can help our horses become more symmetrical, which reduces the risk of excess wear and tear and compensation injuries. “One thing that we always work on in dressage is getting our horses really symmetrical, and using their bodies in a way that’s efficient. If your horse isn’t supple, and they’re leaning in and counter bending, they’re going to be putting a lot of pressure on that inside front leg and that’s not so healthy for them long term,” said Amelia.

Amelia believes dressage can transform the event horse both in and out of the ring. “I think of dressage as kind of like gymnastics. We really want our horses to be both strong and flexible,” Amelia said. “It’s amazing how with consistent training, you start to feel your horse change in the way that they use their body. They use their body more evenly. They use different muscles. And you’ll even see that when you turn them out in the field, they’ll start carrying themselves differently.”

Since starting out with just one YouTube video a week, Amelia has built herself a significant online following. With a platform of 32,000 followers on Facebook, nearly 74,000 followers on Instagram, and 292,000 subscribers on Youtube, Amelia has a lot of eyes on her every move. “I feel like I have such an obligation now to be providing really good quality, correct content, and making sure that it’s the right type of content that’s actually going to help people.”

No matter how many followers Amelia gains, her end goal stays the same: to help horses and to help riders with Dressage for All. “Riding is hard,” Amelia said. “We all have days that we feel like we should just quit and give up. We need to be able to reach out and get the support we need, no matter who we are, where we come from, or in what discipline we ride.”

Thursday News & Notes

By Veronica Green-Gott on Jul 25, 2024 12:10 am -

While my brain has decided to play “Les Champs-Elysées” on repeat, life does indeed go on outside of the Olympics. A fact that I have had to strongly remind myself of several times this week. What can I say? I feel as excited as a kid counting down the days until summer break, which doesn’t lend itself nicely to sitting down at my desk and working.

Anyways, outside of thinking about the Olympics and getting “Les Champs-Elysées” stuck in my head, I’ve been on the hunt for exercises to teach my clumsy OTTB how to use her brain in the pasture instead of racking up vet bills for dear old mum (aka me, how lucky am I?). The most recent interesting exercise I’ve found is “Pick Up Sticks” for horses. While Gen Z may not remember this game, I’ve certainly played it a time or two growing up, Victorian Child that I am. Essentially, the idea is you drop some sticks on the ground and try to pick up a stick without touching or moving the other sticks. Whoever has the most sticks, wins. The horse version is a little different. Here’s the long and short of it from Centaurus Osteopathy for your perusing pleasure.

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Thursday News & Reading

Last minute changes made to the Olympic lineup. Whoever makes the decisions for these teams obviously have no respect for the EN form guide. We’re back to editing it once again, as Will Coleman substitutes Off the Record for Diabolo and Sandra Auffarth is out, while Julia Krajewski is in for the German team. Get the full scoop here.

Just because they’re Olympic athletes, doesn’t necessarily mean they’re graceful… Irish eventer Susie Berry takes behind the scenes of the taking of this adorable photo. Never have I ever related more to professional athletes. This needs to be one of those memes. Which Irish Olympian best describes how you’re feeling today?

Trainer Lockie Phillips has a thoughtful take on Charlotte Dujardin’s suspension and the video that has been circulating around the internet faster than a wildfire. In an era where equestrian sports is under a microscope, it’s more important than ever that we all refrain from fighting amongst each other and take a moment to do some introspection. How can you make a difference in the future of equestrian sports right now? Read Lockie Phillips’ take on the controversy here.

Our very own Tilly Berendt is on the ground and ready to ruuuuuuuuumble! First up, she’s bringing us some of our first looks at Versailles from the ground. Fun fact: apparently, they did not tell the audience why they were being rearranged for the photo of the stands. See Versailles through Tilly’s eyes here.

No access to a cross country course? No excuses allowed. Bec Braitling has released some thoughts on how we can be creative when working on cross country skills in an arena setting. Plus, some recommended reading: the USEA Eventing Handbook by the Levels. Find out how Bec prepared for the Nations Cup at Haras de Jardy with the help of zip ties and ferns.

Video Break
Throwback to this video showing how the horses and all of their equipment traveled to Paris:

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