Jon Holling sent us this photo of Michael Pollard, the “creator” of CHC International.  Have any caption ideas?

A year ago, Gary Stevens was sitting in the NBC broadcast booth.  Now, he finds himself in the winner’s circle at Pimlico, as he rode Oxbow to win the Preakness Stakes.  Sent off at 16-1, the son of Awesome Again was a bit overlooked after a fading finish in the Derby.  Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, Oxbow enjoyed an easy wire-to-wire victory for Calumet Farm.  Itsmyluckyday finished second and Mylute finished third.

The pace was slow, which did not favor a closer like Orb. Orb was forced inside and did not seem to settle into his best stride, and never challenged the leaders into the stretch, doing his best to end up fourth.

Leslie Wylie has been quite busy lately, pondering the meaning of Rolex’s dandelions, throwing a heck of a tailgate party, and now, she’s channeling her inner George Morris in a new column on Horse Nation.  Do you have a bad jumping photo you’d like to submit for critique? Email it to [email protected]. (Must have photographer permission to publish.)

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Bad Jumping Clinic with George Morris

by Leslie Wylie

Uncle George is cranky, he’s misplaced his reading glasses, and he’s dialing it in big-time. See how this week’s batch of riders stack up.

From “George:”

Horse-Fail-Photos Facebook page

This attractive pair shows potential but needs polish to advance in their training.

The rider is demonstrating the proper 90-degree knee angle and is doing a good job of bending from the waist to stay with her horse. A more correct leg position, however, would show the stirrup leather perpendicular (as opposed to parallel) to the ground.

Her hand position is typical of young riders these days–hovering above the neck rather than pressing into the neck for a crest release. Of course, I prefer the automatic release, with a straight line between the elbow and the bit, but I’ve been telling you people that for years and you’re still all doing it wrong so I’ll save my breath.

This horse has a very dramatic style and seems capable of jumping a much larger fence. His expression, however, is one of anger. Not that I blame him.

Their turnout is clean and workmanlike for a schooling situation, although everyone knows that colored saddle pads and ear bonnets make me want to stab my eyes out with a pen.

Next.

 

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horseforum.com

The number one equitation flaw I see in the show ring today is young people laying on their horses’ necks. Not only is it unattractive, it also makes the horse’s job more difficult, as this photo illustrates. This rider needs let go of her horse’s ears and put weight in the heels for a more stable base of support.

Ordinarily I’d recommend working without stirrups, but this rider appears to already have that skill down.

I like how this horse is really going to the base of the fence. It’s a refreshing change from all the hunters I see loping around and leaving long, which produces a flat, unattractive jump. He has a fairly pleasant look on his face, considering the fact that his rider is on the verge of strangling him to death.

I’m just going to pretend that this rider is wearing a conservatively colored polo shirt, and that the horse’s saddle pad is clean, white and properly fitted. Clearly, I am pretending to like a lot of things about this photo.

 

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From reader Marjean McIntyre.

Our third and hopefully final rider, on the other hand, is doing an excellent job of not succumbing to the trend of  jumping ahead of his horse–although he could stand to close his hip angle more to stay with his horse. His lower leg seems secure and his eyes are up, looking toward the next fence.

I’m going to decline comment on his release because I haven’t taken my blood pressure pills yet today.

The horse is demonstrating a fine bascule but is hanging his knees, which could become dangerous over a larger fence. Lots of work through gymnastic grids will improve his form. Maybe.

Why can’t anyone ever polish their horses’ hooves? Nobody listens to me. Nobody cares.

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Do you have a bad jumping photo you’d like to submit for critique? Email it to [email protected].

*Not actually written by George Morris, obvs. With inspiration fromPractical Horseman‘s “Jumping Clinic with George Morris” and Bad Riding Livejournal.

EN writer Kate Samuels and her mom, Owie

Readers from around Horse Nation and Eventing Nation wanted to wish their moms a Happy Mother’s Day.  Here’s what they had to say…

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I saw the call to arms about Mother’s Day and if anyone had any special stories to pass along….well here goes.  My EN friends….2013 will mark the 40th year anniversary of the O’Connor’s cross country trip, which started on Mother’s Day in 1973!  I talked with DOC about this on Friday and we both could not believe it was that long ago…yes….Sally, David, and I rode from the state of Maryland to the state of Oregon -2900 miles on HORSEBACK.  And you thought roads and tracks were hard to do in the long format!  And get this….we borrowed a horse from Ray Little….Marilyn Little’s Dad….and now she has been working with Karen for the  last two years.  Small world eh?  Sally has been working on the final version of the book of this trip and we hope to bring it to you in the near future.  40 yrs ago, I was 13 and DOC was 11….who’d have thunk that this would send us all on to future jobs, medals, and careers in the horse business?  30-35 miles a day for 3 1/2 months.  David says we should each write a book…Sally and me from the front of the line….and David from the back.  I have always said that I was the one who cleared out the brush and debris on the gold medalist’s journey…and Sally and our Dad, Jay, were the directors and support team.  Thanks Mom for the journey, and remember, if you EVER ask David , or I. to go on a hack again….sorry to say…NO WAY.  We love you Sally.

-Brian (and David)  O’Connor

PS   Good luck to all the riders in Show Jumping on Sunday…..

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My mom tore her ACL two days before NAYRC in 2007. Despite being in (what I would assume was) a lot of pain, she put on a brave face and walked the whole CCI* track with me. I was extremely nervous, but she rationalized that if she could make it around the course, so could I. That was one of the years is was held at the Virginia Horse Park. Those hill are no joke. I love you mom!

– Shannon Grube, West Chester, PA

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Without my mother’s support I would not be where I am today with my horses. When I was a little girl she would take me to my riding lessons. Now as a grown up she is my biggest supporter. From accompanying me on horse shopping trips to getting me stuff I need to compete. If I am short of funding which happens frequently I ask if she is interested in a sponsorship opportunity and she always steps up to the plate. She comes and cheers me on at the shows and let’s me cry on her shoulder when things go wrong. She literally is the wind beneath my wings. None of it would be possible with out her and I am so grateful for her supporting my dreams!

-Ashley Giles (via EN’s Facebook page)

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My mother was not as supportive of my eventing lifestyle as my father was, as she was afraid of horses. She would rarely attend shows because she would have anxiety attacks and end up crying because she was so nervous. The one event she did attend was one of the last at Trojan in Scottsdale, AZ. I was on a very neurotic OTTB(loved her to death though) and between the slippery footing and her bounding through the air we slipped in SJ warmup and fell sideways. Thank goodness my mother didn’t see any of this, but after SJ she asked me why I was covered in dirt. When she found out what had happened, she and one of dogs at the time(an airedale terrier) chased my trainer, in a full out run, all the way back to the trailer and then chased her throughout the barns and back to the trailer before my dad could get my mom to stop. My mom just wanted to have a “word” with my trainer. LOL! You gotta love a mom that does everything in the extreme. For a person that was terrified of horses, I had the best life growing up with them. Love you mom and always will. Unfortunately my mother is no longer here to share these stories with me, so I hope all you out there that still have the ability to spend time with your mom you do so and you remind them everyday that you love them and you thank them for all their sacrifices so you could go to one more show, or get that new bridle you wanted. Happy Mothers Day to all.

– EN Commenter Kate

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My mom is so amazing! She is by no means a horse person, in fact she is a city girl who is allergic to them and slightly frightened by them. However, she took me to all of my lessons which is always forty- five minutes away no matter where we lived. She watched them, recorded them and always listened to my replay of the lesson. Now I have my own horse whom she took me to seebefore I got my license. She still asks how my horse is and has even sat on him. My mom has said she has visited more farm stores with me than she ever thought she would, and now they are her go to store. I LOVE my mom so much and am grateful for her sacrifices in order to help me pursue my passion.

       -HN Commenter gemma

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Happy Mother’s Day to the best and most supportive mum I know.  Without the help of mum, I wouldn’t have the opportunities to do what I love and compete at the highest level.  Most upper level eventers have full time grooms, working students to help exercise their horses and work with the younger ones, owners to help offset the costs of this very expensive sport, lessons with coaches who they can call for and afford a lesson with at any time.  Luckily for me, mum is there to help me with all of that.  Working full time and competing four horses is quite a job, and although I wish I could be at the barn all day long, the option just isn’t there for me.  Mum and I are a team, and I couldn’t ask for a better team leader to guide me through this crazy sport.
When I do well, mum is there to cheer me on and tell me how proud she is.  When things don’t go so great, mum tells me what I need to work on and what I should do next time (which is very much a Riley trait, as a hug and saying things will be okay just won’t do in our family.)  Three of my horses are homebreds, raised on Warren Hill Farm, which is a huge farm run by my mother.  Not only do I have my horses, but we have amazing boarders which mum sees to as well.  Of course there is also the maintaining of the farm and all the animals on it.  I truly believe my horses wouldn’t look so good anywhere else, mum knows best how to make them look and feel the way they do.  Mum has been at nearly every single competition I have ever competed at for the last 24 (?) years.  When she wasn’t able to be with me last fall, mum called constantly to see how things were going.
The picture attached is the evening after It’s The Truth and I completed our first advanced cross country together at Millbrook in 2012, with a clean round!  In June, mum and I will be making the long trek up north together for “Tom” and I to compete in the CCI***, someone please give a hand to hold as mum still tends to get a bit nervous when we go cross country!  After many many years of competing up and down the east coast, heartache and self-doubt with horses, traveling and fantastic working opportunities with top eventers only found with the help of mum, the upbringing of very special homebreds,  and the massive amount of strenuous hours and support given by mum, I know I couldn’t ask for a better mother and am so grateful and thankful for everything she has done for me (even if sometimes I forget to let her know).

-Liz Riley

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Growing up on a farm in outback Queensland, whilst entertaining and adventurous for a child, was no cup of tea for the mother of an ambitious want-to-be rider. With every competition/clinic/trainer a minimum of 2 hours away and me not being if a driving age, Mum became my chauffeur. Equally a challenge for my long suffering mother was that we did not own a truck and trailer. I’m not sure how she did it, beg borrow or steal (pretty sure there was no begging or stealing..), she always made sure I was where I needed to be when I needed to be there. She worked many jobs to support me including; strawberry packer, woollies worker, burger flipper, and for a short period of time an Avon lady. So this Mother’s Day to thank her for her tireless contribution to my career I have written her this poem:

Roses are red

Violets are blue

I may not be in Australia

But I still love you

– Kate Chadderton

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Flashback, more than fifty years:
After much begging from one of my sisters and me, our family got a couple backyard horses: “Queenie,” a sweet, elderly Palomino mare for us (7!) kids, and “Silver,” a crafty, strong gray gelding that only Dad rode. My parents were both raised on farms, so they had a working knowledge of what to do. Dad kept fences in good repair, and rode with us often. Mom also rode, but more than that, she taught us to ride, tacked up for us until we were taller and strong enough to do it ourselves, kept the horses in decent health, repaired out hand-me-down tack, and even trimmed the horses’ hooves herself. I don’t know how she managed all this, with so many kids and so little time and money.

One spring, my parents agreed to board a young green-broke pinto gelding. In a few months, that grade gelding would become an American Legion Club raffle prize in our small Minnesota town. My mom turned “Little Joe” out with Queenie and Silver, and planned to put some finish on his basic training before the raffle. One day as she was riding Joe in our driveway, he reared up – high. Instead of grabbing mane as most riders would do, she lowered her heels and turned to us, smiling broadly and waving to us like a movie star cowboy, and we kids stood open-mouthed with amazement. All I could think was, “That’s my Mom!”

Of course now, looking back on that scene from 50 years ago, I think: How dangerous! No helmet! What was she thinking! But at the time, her wave seemed heroic.

When I think I don’t have enough time to go out to the barn where my horse is boarded, I remember Mom, with her houseful of kids and work – way more than I ever have on my plate! – making time to care for horses, teaching us to do the same, and creating wonderful memories to treasure.

 

– HN Commenter “mom’s heroics”

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My mother is the backbone of my support system. She knows nothing about horses except that most of mine like their treats. So when she shows up at an event, the first thing she does is put 30 lbs of cookies in my horses’ bellies. She is the first to celebrate a win, or another milestone crossed, the first to put things in perspective when I’m being too hard on myself, and the first to offer a shoulder when things don’t go our way. She recently came up to watch me contest my first four star. We had a hard day on the cross country and my mom was immediately there with a sympathetic hug but also to remind me of how far we’ve come. That it was ok to be disappointed but not ok to sulk. How is it that mothers have the right words for every situation? Thank you mom for all the right words and the times that you just listened. Happy Mother’s day to all the moms out in Eventing Nation!

-Lindsey Oaks

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My mom did all the amazing typical horse mom things when I was young, driving the trailer to horse shows, finding the money for lessons, clinics, and shows, and driving me to the barn every. single. day. until I got my license. All of which I am so incredibly grateful.But this Mother’s Day I’m particularly appreciative of her role as a horse mom now that I’m an adult and a mom myself. You see, I had 2 young children, a full time job and a husband who travels a lot. Times were particularly difficult and I had given up on horses. Riding just wasn’t in the cards or so I thought. But my mom knew how much horses mean to me and wouldn’t let me give up. She encouraged me to find a way. That maybe it’s not the time in my life to have a fancy, talented horse and travel all over creation to show but I could ride. I could take lessons. I could make it work and not give up. Soon after she and my father bought me an aged appaloosa gelding. He’s been absolutely perfect for me at this stage in my life. He can sit in the pasture when life is too crazy or I can participate in clinics and shows when time allows.  He can go to a show or fox hunt and give my children pony rides in the same weekend. He’s priceless and my lifeline when things get too crazy. I didn’t know how much I needed that lifeline but my mom did.

When I was ready to give up, my mother refused to give up on me. She found a way. And because of her I’ve been able to stay in the saddle. And that has been one of the most wonderful gifts she’s ever given me.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the horse moms out there!

-Kelly Bryant

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I was one of the lucky kids that had immense parental support behind my horse habit. My mom had grown up on a farm in Iowa where her family had a couple of horses and despite taking a well-timed kick to the stomach by a pony as a child she had grown up riding bareback and trail riding.  My parents rented a house on a farm in Maryland when I was born and I got bit by the bug early, thanks to the numerous horses on the property and the daughter of the farm owner who would take me around to all the horses and taught me how to take apart and clean a bridle before I was in kindergarten.  After we moved I took lessons off and on for a few years and finally got my own horse at 13, a small, chestnut Thoroughbred gelding with a perpetually worried expression called Hop Ashore who, despite not being the most athletic beast, (or sanest, to be honest), would try his heart out for me and was the only thing I asked for that Christmas.  Since I couldn’t yet drive, my mom woke up early every weekend to take me to the barn where I worked to help pay for board. During the weeknight, she drove her hour commute home from the college where she taught biology in downtown Baltimore only to turn around and drive me to the barn, and then return to pick me back up again two hours later.  Though we didn’t have much money my parents always found ways to let me get to some local unrecognized events and jumper shows, and once again my mom was the one to wake up at 4am, help me with my hair, and accompany me to the shows where she was my personal photographer and biggest cheerleader–in the five years before I left for college she missed only one event.  She loved Hop almost as much as I did–as he didn’t stand on the trailer, or tie, they bonded in the hours she spent hand grazing and walking him around the showgrounds while I walked my courses or tacked up.  She saw us work our way up from barely able to stay inside the dressage ring for an Elementary dressage test to winning our last event at Novice before heading off to college and four years of trying our hand in the hunter ring.In the spring of 2007, my sophomore year in college I started volunteering at a local horse rescue…and my mom got the inevitable phone call “Mom…can I bring home a second horse?” Somehow the answer was yes and a dark bay Thoroughbred gelding, “Owen” made the five-hour trip home with Hop.  That year my mom had struggled with a frozen shoulder and had gone through difficult and painful physical therapy to break up the scar tissue and regain function and range of motion in her left arm.  As she was healing she mentioned maybe now that I had two horses we could do some trail riding together and promptly went out to buy a helmet.  For the first time in over twenty years she got on a horse again.  Hop, who had become much more trustworthy in our time together, was a foot perfect lesson pony and tried to do his best to figure out what my mom wanted when she reverted back to Western and tried neck reining, or got jostled while attempting to figure out posting and dropped the reins in favor of grabbing mane.  My mom had the biggest smile on her face, and we talked about getting her some lessons and the following summer we’d start taking our frequent hikes from horseback.That November I took Owen to our first event together: Beginner Novice at the Virginia Horse Trials.  I had managed to break my arm in the joint capsule of the elbow two weeks earlier and was still in a sling and on pain medication, so my mom and my younger brother drove down for the event (I think to talk me out of competing!).  It should have been a disaster…Owen’s first event, his first time jumping a full stadium course, let alone in the scary Coliseum at the Virginia Horse Center, we hadn’t schooled cross-country in five months…mom kept asking me if I was sure I wanted to do this.  I was.  She watched with perhaps her heart in her chest as we defied the odds and won our division.  As I dismounted after the finish line on the cross country course I turned to look for her and she gave me two thumbs up, her camera dangling around her neck, and a huge smile on her face.Two months later she died in a freak accident while scuba diving.She never got to see my college or graduate school graduation, she won’t get to see my brother graduate college, or meet grandchildren, or read my dissertation.  And though she would be so proud of all of those things, I also know she would have been just as proud to see Owen and me compete successfully at Training level, she would have stood behind me in my decision earlier this year to retire Owen from jumping due to some soundness issues and would be just as excited to see us moving up to Second level in the dressage sandbox this summer (As long as he doesn’t read this and hurt himself…again).My mother was an amazing woman and I am so proud to call myself her daughter.  She showed me every day how rewarding life is when you are passionate about what you do and the necessity to be stubborn in your pursuit of that life, and in her death she taught me to never take anything for granted and to value each moment you have with someone you love, whether it be equine or human.  And one day I hope to take my own child on a horseback hike through the woods.

-Kara Clissold

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Rowdie Adams and RF Blitsfree won the CIC 2* on a 46.5 dressage. (photo Mary Hirsch)

Every horse trials should enjoy weather as sparkling as that at the Greenwood Horse Trials in Weatherford,TX on May 3^rd-5^th.   Recent April showers did indeed mean May flowers, along with fresh green on the abundant woods and fields and unseasonably cool temps.   It was a wonderful setting for approximately 275 entries from over 6 states, including an original 9 two-star and 20 one-star entries. The Greenwood spring version horse trials offers the only FEI divisions in Area V, with a CIC 2*/1*.  (This fall’s horse trials at Greenwood, although not offering FEI divisions, has been designated a 2013 qualifier by the FEI.)

John Williams’ course had been refreshed in the early part of the top levels with some new obstacles and routes.  The two-star course took its toll and the diminishing field was thinned from 9 entries, to 7 starters, to just 5 finishers.  However, of the finishers, all but one of the two-star and Open Intermediate pairs jumped clean around cross-country.  However, across the two divisions, only two-star winners Rowdie Adams and RF Blitsfree escaped time faults.

Rowdie Adams won the two-star on a 46.5 dressage with RF Blitsfree, a 7-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.  Rowdie then followed up to win the Open Intermediate on the Thoroughbred gelding No Money Down, starting with a 38 dressage, adding 9.2 time faults over a clear cross-country trip and a single rail in show jumping.  The two-star 2^nd place was Julie Wolfert on Buenos Aires, adding only 3.2 cross-country time faults to a 51.7 dressage.  The Open Intermediate second place was Angela Gryzwinski on Novelle, jumping clean all the way through, and adding 15.6 cross-country time faults to a 41.6 dressage.

Open Intermediate 2nd place finishers Angela Gryzwinski and Novelle (photo Mary Hirsch)

The one-star riders faired considerably better on cross-country with all but one of the 20 starters completing the course, twelve going double-clear.  The 17 Open Preliminary starters had all but two finish the course, but although most jumped clear, several came close to the time but only Kylie Clarkson and My Kinda Party finished double clear.  In both divisions the few stops were primarily concentrated at the Lookout Mountain combination, a tall mound with a ramp on top, landing on a sweeping but short line to a max corner.

Heather Morris and Twizted Syster mastered the one-star, finishing on a 45.6 dressage.  Julie Wolfert and Buenos Dias were in second place just 2 points behind Heather, also finishing on dressage.  In the Open Preliminary, Kristina Aaron on Ms. Murphy Herself added only 3.2 cross-country time faults to the only sub-thirty dressage score in the upper levels, a 27.3.  Amanda Merritt and Anchorage came up from a 5^th place tie in dressage and a 35.5 score, adding 3.5 time faults in cross country and one stadium rail for a final 41.1.

The Lower Levels included an unrecognized division, “Level 1 Starter”, to give the greenest riders and horses a chance to put a toe into navigating the course over logs and through the water.  Great enthusiasm and seriousness of purpose was displayed by the 11 entries, 8 of whom completed cross-country.  The winner was junior rider Caroline Honeycutt on the 24-year-old TB gelding Brady Who, who was ears-forward keen and galloping briskly, showing a strong surge to the finish line.  Enjoy the Level 1 slideshow at this link. 

Caroline Honeycutt and Brady Who (a 24-year-old Thoroughbred gelding) came storming home to win the unrecognized Level 1 Starter Division on 36.0 dressage. (photo Mary Hirsch)

The horse trials’ lowest score was owned by the bay Trakhener mare Herzsturm in Novice Horse, owned by Lynne Leverenz and ridden by Stephanie Martin.  Herzsturm finished on 26.5 dressage.  The four other winning sub-30 scores were posted in the Novice and Beginner Novice divisions.  Julie Denton held the next-lowest score of 27.8, winning Open Novice on her tall Westphalian gelding Win-Win Situation.  The two Junior Beginner Novice divisions followed closely on the low-score measure with winners Allie Morrison and KP Lucky Red (28.0) and Seguin Alexander and Motion Granted (29.0).

Julie Denton and Win-Win Situation were the 2nd lowest score of the horse trials, and winners of the Open Novice division (photo Harley Cozewith)

Erin Deyo and Brutus Maximus travelled from Louisiana to win the Junior Training 1 Division (photo Mary Hirsch)

This is what it’s about!  Tina Boyd completes her first cross-country in competition on her 19-year-old Anglo-Arab gelding Keep The Faith, in the Level 1 Starter Division at Greenwood Horse Trials CIC 2*/1* in Weatherford, TX, on May 5th.  (photo Mary Hirsch)

Link to results for Greenwood Horse Trials – May 2013

EN isn’t just your leading source for eventing news, results and commentary; it’s a community where fans of this crazy sport come together to share their war stories. We love hearing from readers and, in turn, sharing your thoughts with the world. All reader submissions are eligible for the Omega Alpha Reader Submission of the Month in which they are published. All winners will receive an Omega Alpha supplement of their choosing. Have something to share with EN? Send it to us at [email protected]!

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We’re pleased to announce that Katie Malensek’s reader submission, From Ponies and Pigtails…, is the Omega Alpha Reader Submission of the Month for April. Katie sent us a wonderful article expressing fond memories and appreciation for her horsey best friend, Ashley.

“Everyone has that one great horsey friend, you know, the one that you grew up riding with- going to pony club rallies or horse shows together? That one that cheered for you when you made it around your first cross country course clean or won your first blue ribbon?  The one that on a Friday night, while other teenagers are out at the mall or hanging out with friends, is braiding horses and packing trailers with you. The one that will sit in a public restaurant wearing breeches, boots, and the “reverse French manicure” with you and not bat an eye.   I’m sure everyone involved with horses can remember the one person in their horsey life that fits this description.”

Where do eventers come from?  Some say they are born, some say they are made.  Check out this thought-provoking article from our sister site, Horse Nation, as written by The Riding Instructor.

The Riding School: Building the next generation of eventers

Orb in the post parade. Photo by Wendy Wooley, used with permission.

 

From Lauren:

Can you imagine competing in a destination event with nineteen of your closest rivals in front of more people than you’ve ever seen in one place and having the announcer come across the loud speaker saying “Attention competitors: today, we are going to restrict the winner of this competition to entrants named (inserts your name here).”  Woo-freaking-hoo!!!  You still have to compete and get the job done but, barring acts of god, a herd of wildebeests in your dressage ring, or missing a fence (just ask Sarah and Jenn how that can screw up a whole weekend!), you are virtually assured a win.   That is basically what winning the Derby in the mud is like.

Photo by Wendy Wooley, used with permission.

Historically (and most recently, Mine That Bird), a sloppy track produces a Derby winner that has difficulty replicating such success.  This fact does not diminish the monumental accomplishment that Orb achieved Saturday.  He is still what we would call a ‘world beater’ in the racing industry.  Any classic winner qualifies as such.  Even getting to the Derby requires so many things to go right.  Winning it is an almost unachievable dream for most horses, trainers, and owners.  But when reduced to ink and paper, the 2013 Kentucky Derby will not likely be one for the record books.

Palace Malice leads the pack. Photo by Wendy Wooley, used with permission.

Clearly, Palace Malice read the program wrong and thought he was in a sprint race.  Setting opening fractions of 22.57 and 45.33 in a mile and a quarter race is suicide (remember that the average racing furlong (1/8^th of a mile) is 12 seconds and anything faster than that is considered to be exceptionally swift).  While he didn’t have any serious pressure, undefeated Verrazano and solid contender Vyjack were not far off that pace.  All three were consequently done early, finishing 12^th, 18^th, and 14^th respectively.  A half mile into the race, with Palace Malice turning on the afterburners up on the lead, four of the top five finishers were literally bringing up the rear of the pack with Orb 16^th by 18 lengths, Golden Soul 15^th, Revolutionary 18^th, and Mylute 17^th.  Normandy Invasion, eventually 4^th place finisher, raced along in 7^th ready to launch a big bid for victory at the 3/8^th pole, shaking clear of the field by the ¼ pole.  With only a quarter mile left to run, Orb was still 5^th, Golden Soul 7^th, Revolutionary an astounding 12^th, and Mylute 9^th.  Watching from the dry warmth of JP Malherbe’s beautiful new home, my gaze was riveted to Revolutionary who was flying past rivals.  While he made the biggest stretch move, slow and steady was destined to win this Derby and, almost in tandem, Orb and Golden Soul reeled in Normandy Invasion stride by stride, with Orb charging home with renewed vigor once his nose passed the leader.  Golden Soul ran an incredible gusty and game race, running well above his odds and thrilling the owners of the house in which I live, Darby Dan Farm, as they stand his sire, Perfect Soul.  Mylute continued his steady advance, nearly passing Normandy Invasion in a three way photo for show, and the rest of the field ambled home behind the stars of the day.  Orb won in a time of 2:02.89, more than THREE SECONDS slower than Secretariat’s race record.  A muddy track will certainly slow a race down but not by three seconds.  It will be interesting to see what happens in two weeks in Maryland but I’m calling it now that a dry track and such a quick turnaround will not favor our Derby Champion.

Photo by Wendy Wooley, used with permission.

Congratulations to Orb and all of his connections!  Give ‘em hell in Maryland!

EN reader Cathleen Elliott Ellington got up close and personal with Andrew Nicholson’s winning ribbon when it blew off Quimbo’s bridle at the end of the victory gallop.  Thanks to Cathleen for sharing the story with us!  

From Cathleen:

My maiden voyage was a Christmas gift from my awesome husband, and it ended with Quimbo’s ribbon falling off right in front of where we were standing.  The Jeep rep stepped over the rail to pick it up and handed it to me. It was a memorable moment that only could have been topped by returning it to Andrew Nicholson directly and patting his insanely lovely horse, Quimbo, on the neck to tell him what a good boy he was and how much I enjoyed watching him…but that was not to be.  He waved to us as if he would come back around and then the cheering crowd and excitement likely caused him to forget.  So I returned it to a Rolex official to give back to its rightful owner. It was a wonderful weekend, a voyage I plan to continue making for years to come.

To all those competing at Badminton this weekend: may the Eventing Gods bless you with relaxed, forward, accurate, & fluid dressage tests, swift and sure-footed clean cross country rounds, and wings for your horses to fly above the rails. Go Eventing! Go USA!

Warm Regards,

Cathleen Elliott Ellington

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSE_h4UlJaw

As Jenni mentioned earlier, one of the best show jumping rounds at Badminton 2013 belonged to Vittoria Panizzon and Borough Pennyz.  The Badmintion radio announcers raved about the gleaming gray mare, clearly in awe of her knee-snapping form and impressive scope.  The pair finished on their dressage score of 47.3 to end up in 7th place.

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Clark Montgomery and Universe show jumped a brilliant double-clear show jumping round at Badminton. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The first group of riders has finished the show jumping at Badminton.  Super-reporter Jenni Autry is fiercely defending her position in the stands, so she is temporarily unavailable for play-by-play update.   However, she’ll have an excellent view of the final drama, so stay tuned for her full update at the conclusion of today’s action.

For three North American riders, the day is already done.  Colleen Rutledge and Shiraz had more than a few rails down, finishing with 24 penalties added to their cross-country score.  But, Luke and Colleen are now the first horse/rider to complete 5th different CCI4* together, with no cross-country jumping penalties!  Congrats to Colleen and her crew for such a huge accomplishment.

Rebecca Howard proudly sits at the top of the leaderboard of the first group that jumped– going double-clear today, and finishing on a score of 52.1.  She almost finished on her dressage score with Riddle Master, but for two seconds (0.8) over the time on cross-country.  I think we can forgive that…Well done, Rebecca!

Clark Montgomery also made a great showing at his debut with Universe.  The “pingy little horse” (as Badminton Radio hosts described him yesterday) saved a bit of jumping for today, also going double -clear.  I’m sure Clark is absolutely thrilled with Buzz, and they sit 8 places behind Rebecca on 60.7.

[First Group Show Jumping Results]

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The final American, Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister have not jumped yet.  Tiana finished clear on cross-country yesterday to lie tenth, so she’ll be in the pressure cooker of the final group ahead.  Good luck, Tiana! [Update: Tiana and Finn pulled two rails to finish 17th.]

It’s lunch break at Badminton right now, and the tension is building… will there be a Grand Slam winner?  Will Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam continue their world domination?  Will Jock Paget and Clifton Promise steal it from all of them?  Show jumping resumes at 8:30am ET.

Show jumping videos:

Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master

Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister

Clark Montgomery and Universe 

Colleen Rutledge and Shiraz

On a very sloppy track, Orb came from behind to win the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby.  The son of Malibu Moon earned the first Derby win for trainer Shug McGaughey and breeders/owners Stuart Janney III and the Phipps Stable.  Orb, ridden by red-hot jockey Joel Rosario, was sent to post as the co-favorite at 6-1, and looked every bit deserving as he charged down the stretch to win convincingly.  Last-minute entry Golden Soul finished second, with Revolutionary and Calvin Borel finishing third.

A great win today for the traditionalists, and the result of five generations of Phipps family bloodlines.  In an age of instant gratification and buying your way to the winners circle, it’s great to see some “old timers” enjoying the roses on the first Saturday in May.  Shug McGaughey said all along that if the horse wasn’t ready he wouldn’t run– the Phipps and Janney do not believe in entering a horse “just to be there,” it had to be a legitimate winning contender. And Orb was just that.  We say this every year after the Derby…could this horse be the one?  Could this horse be the one to win the Triple Crown?  It would be neat to see Orb do it and redeem the Hancock/Phipps decision back in 1970 on the coin flip that gave Secretariat and the 1973 Triple Crown to Penny Chenery and Meadow Stable.  Happy 40th anniversary!

[Replay on Horse Nation]