Emily Dunn grooms four-star horse September Bliss for Ireland’s Elizabeth (Esib) Powers.  Emily was also known as Meg Kep’s “partner in crime” during this summer’s stay at Maizey Manor.  Esib and September Bliss were on track for the Olympics, but like Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville, they did not make their country’s team.  We last heard from Emily with a recap of their Burghley weekend, and today she wraps up their competition season.  Thanks to Emily for writing, and thank you for reading.

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Emily and "Seb," photo courtesy of Will Baxter

From Emily:

Over the Irish Sea

Power Eventing has officially finished for the season, Maizey Manor has been cleared out, possibly with the accidental acquirement of a few extra items that aren’t technically ours, and the yard has been moved and settled in across the Irish Sea.

Before the seasonal migration we just had a handful of events left after Burghley. It was a fairly quiet end to the year, first on the list of post 4* events was a pre-novice at West Wilts. As I couldn’t make it, it was left to Jackie Green’s brother to play the role of groom/dog sitter/moral supporter for the day. I hear it was a good day out, but Johnboy will not be volunteering his services in the near future, or indeed the far future, my job, for the moment is safe. I was back for the South of England, where we decided to have a team outing, fellow Maizey resident and New Zealand rider, Jesse Campbell was chauffeur and host for the day, however not bringing any milk for Tea left his hosting skills to be desired, but he did manage to get us there safely and on time. Unfortunately someone had once again annoyed the weather gods, as a month’s worth of rain descended upon the event, so before organisers had to call in Noah and his Arc, the day was abandoned, the lorry was packed up and we were headed home after another failed attempt at British summertime eventing.

The following week was our final event, two days at Dauntsey Park Horse Trials, and despite the milk debacle of South of England, Jesse had succeeded in at least 50% of his responsibilities during our previous outing, so we risked sharing a lift again on day one of Dauntsey. Xavier Faer ‘Hugo’, as he has been all year, was consistent and reliable by completing on his dressage score to pick up fourth place. Finally our last day of eventing for 2012 was upon us, not getting off to the smoothest of starts, it didn’t give us the most reassuring feeling that we were going to have a successful day, having no headlights on the lorry is a slight issue when leaving the yard at 6.30am on a September morning in England. However we got there and our lovely, Soladoun ‘Alfie’ proved us wrong by adding nothing to his dressage score for 7^th place, and there ended our season.

Having finished our events, it was time to re-locate back to the Emerald Isle. We had a smooth trip up to the ferry port, car, lorry, horses, 3000 rugs (in their allotted storage bags) and what appeared to be the entire stock of a boutique clothes shop, also known as Esib’s wardrobe, safely aboard for the three and a bit hour crossing to Dublin. After enjoying a questionable looking lasagna it was off to the cabin for a couple of hour’s sleep, only to discover that we had just one single bed to share. Being very used to spending a lot of time together in confined living spaces and lorry cabs, we were both prepared for a snug few hours kip…. Thankfully, before things go too awkward, we discovered there was a top bunk bed to pull down from the wall. What felt like three minutes sleep later we had arrived in Dublin and had only a short journey off the ferry to arrive at Esib’s yard, unload the horses and get ourselves to bed, separate beds that is.

I didn’t spend long in Ireland, just enough to unpack, help set up the stables, settle in horses and hang out with the Power Family. After a day on the yard and an evening spent in the company of Con and Mags Power, for what I can only assume was a traditionally prepared Irish feast…which included the oven door being held closed by broom handle, and microwaved cheesecake, I was on the famous motorway system , ready to fly home from Dublin airport. And with my farewell’s bid to Esib and the horses, it’s on to my winter venture. This year I have joined Team New Zealand, WEG medallist Clarke Johnstone has recently set up at Mark Todd’s new yard, so whilst Clarke is back in NZ for the winter I will be taking care of his horses.

Well that is the last of our Eventing news to bring you for now, Power Eventing’s year may not have gone wholly to plan, but we are lucky enough to have some exciting young horses to build and expand on for the future. But for now along with the rest of the UK eventing circuit I will be hibernating over the next few months, so from Power Eventing, thank you for supporting and following us, have a good winter and see you in 2013!

Marsha Spencer kindly sent us a short piece about going to Fair Hill  in the YEH Championship.  With all the excitement of the CCI2* and 3*, the Young Event Horse Championship gets a little overshadowed.  Here’s a story of a homebred and an amateur rider set to take on a prestigious field of up and coming young horses– the stars of tomorrow!  Thanks to Marsha for writing, and thank you for reading.

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Salute the Captain as a yearling, with Erin Durst

From Marsha:

We are heading to Fair Hill International in Elkton, Maryland to compete in the Young Event Horse Championship.  We have a full Thoroughbred, a homebred that was born and raised in wild and wonderful West Virginia.  Yes sir, eastern panhandle.  Not many of our kind in these parts (and I don’t count Sharon White, as she is way too close to Virginia and the main stream of civilization) .  Hauling to lessons, shows, and even vets and farriers, is just part of participating in the sport of eventing.  It’s not like living west of the Mississippi but it’s close–  there is not one recognized event in the state of West Virginia!

Our gelding is out of a beautiful OTTB mare that was a give away, which we bred to Salute the Truth.  Her first and probably last foal, has been everything we could have hoped for.  Sharon White called him the most trainable horse ever!  He won three Future Event Horse classes as a yearling, and as a two year old placed 2^nd in the colt and gelding class at the East Coast Championship at Virginia.  We took him to the Rolex FEH demo as a two year old and were overwhelmed by a wonderful offer to buy our wonder boy, but as I look at it, we can’t afford a horse like him, so why pass up the chance to ride and compete such a nice young horse.  He won his first novice event at Loch Moy 2 and placed 10^th in the recent Novice Championship at Morven Park when one rail down knocked him from 4^th place.

He’s not a fancy mover, but is so unflappable due to the fact that we have dragged him everywhere and can almost be too quiet and lazy in dressage.  He led after dressage in one YEH competition when the white dogs at Waredaca started barking from their kennels and added the needed energy to his dressage test! Thanks big white dogs.

I know Fair Hill will be a very tough young horse competition, but it will be so exciting to see our 4-year-old West Virginia boy, with my daughter Erin Durst riding, going up against the pros and horses that have the blue blood of the future of eventing in their veins. But oh heck, bring it on!

EN blogger finalist Yvette Seger is back with more Tips for Eventers Living in Itty-Bitty Apartments in the City.  Yvette will always be remembered for the famous Insane Walmart Ride, and we welcome her contributions to Eventing Nation.

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From Yvette:

Tips for Eventers Living in Itty-Bitty Apartments in the City:  Two-fer Tuesday Edition

Hey there, Eventing Nation!  I hope everyone had an awesome weekend!  Area II was hoppin’ with Radnor on Saturday, and the fourth recognized Maryland HT of the season spanning both days.  I was fortunate enough to take my 14 hands of fury – Finders Keepers, aka “Super Pony” – for a spin around Loch Moy’s lovely course on Sunday as his last prep before the classic format 3-day at Waredaca.  We weren’t the only ones doing some last minute prepping at MDHT – the Super and I spied some Fair Hill CCI** hopefuls partaking in some fancy prancing dressage while we were just trying not to spook at trees/dogs/shiny dry erase boards/people with bags of potato chips while performing Novice Test A over in Ring 4.  So, sorry to any/all Fair Hill riders that I may have horrified/offended/unintentionally cut off in warm up…we’re just not used to so much INTENTIONAL fancy prancing in the Novice warm-up, ya know?

Anywho.  I think all riders can agree that competition weekends are pretty hectic.  There’s the horse to bathe and braid, tack to clean, courses to walk, trailer to pack, yada yada yada.  Further complicating my situation is the fact that my gear is scattered among four key locations:  my itty-bitty apartment, the trunk of my car, farm of horse #1, or farm of horse #2.  The majority of the competition gear – you know, the XC vest that need to shower with, my garment bag, saddlepads and galloping boots that I need to wash at bizarre hours to avoid nasty looks from my neighbors, etc. – ends up in the apartment.  That’s all fine and good, except…there are usually at least 2 blocks separating my apartment from my car.

Yes, I could pay for a parking spot in the garage directly under my building, but come on – that’s one entry to Maryland Horse Trials (did I mention it’s a beautiful facility with free entertainment at the SJ in-gate courtesy of resident comedian Tommy?  The color commentary alone is worth the entry fee…but I digress) per month.  Pshaw…I’d rather pay the District of Columbia $30 for a 2-year street parking pass and go gallop around some more events!  So I’m left with the quandary of getting a bunch of awkwardly shaped and frequently heavy/smelly/muddy gear from my apartment to my car (or vice versa).

My solution?  The Citybarrow!

All hail the mighty Citybarrow!

No…it’s not a stolen shopping cart (I contemplated that option and realized that it would have taken up too much precious space in my apartment).  It’s my little “I-live-in-the-city-and-can-walk-to-the-grocery-store-whenever-I-want”  shopping cart.  Actually, now that I think about it, I’ve probably used it more for loading/unloading than walking to the grocery story…I mean, seriously…I have a car!  Why walk?  (kidding…well…kinda…) 

Tip for Eventers Living in Itty-Bitty Apartments #10

While most city dwellers use these carts to transport items such as groceries while navigating city sidewalks or public transportation options, eventers use them to unload their gear after an event, sort of like a citified wheelbarrow.

…and since I’m in a giving sort of mood…

Tip for Eventers Living in Itty-Bitty Apartments #11

Do not – I repeat – do NOT leave wet galloping boots in your car overnight! Your commute probably sucks enough without the added aroma of “water jump funk.”  Consider this your one and only warning.

Clayton Fredericks and Walterstown Don at Burghley, photo by Samantha Clark

According to his Twitter account, Clayton Fredericks will not be competing his lovely chestnut Walterstown Don at Fair Hill this weekend.  We’ll have to wait to see them in action at Rolex!

Having to withdraw Walterstown Don from Fair Hill. He strained a muscle during work.Will give him a good rest in FL and aim for Rolex.

— Clayton Fredericks (@ClaytonFrederi1) October 16, 2012

Lauren Nethery is back with the third installment in her weekly series which answers the whats and whys of off-track thoroughbred behavior.  Thanks to Lauren for writing, and thank you for reading.

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From Lauren:

“Why Does My OTTB (insert weird quirk here)?” Volume III

Have you ever just been so besotted with your OTTB that you feel like the entire world simply MUST know how wonderful he or she is, including their former connections?  Do you woefully hand over the debit care for 3 bags of feed when you only really need 2 but know that your OTTB will waste at least ½ a scoop a day with all of his eating theatrics?  These woes are common place in the world of the OTTB and I am here to do my best to answer all of your questions about these sometimes awkward, sometimes irritating, but always loveable creatures that you have always been too embarrassed, afraid, or freaked out to ask.  Enjoy!

Star Pupil just won his first show class!  How can I contact his former trainer to let him know?

I often speak with riders who desire to share their OTTB’s success with former connections in that horses life.  In reality, more racehorse trainers don’t know the difference between a cavaletti and a capriole much less an oxer and…well, an ox.  In general, I discourage people from reaching out to former connections mostly because they simply do not grasp the show horse world.  Many big time trainers will only remember horses that were remarkable either for their talent (most of these horses don’t become show horses anyway) or for their difficulty and/or lack of talent and if your horse was the latter, they may not exactly have warm and fuzzy feelings toward them.  I do, however, encourage OTTB’s owners to reach out to the owners of their horses during their racing careers if they are just undeniably compelled to connect with that horses past life.  Most owners remember and care about the horses they own and will appreciate hearing about their success.  They may even have half-siblings or similarly conformed/bred horses that may be for sale.  To contact these owners, search your horses Jockey Club name on www.equibase.com (there will be a search box in the upper right-hand corner of the homepage).  When you find your horse, his or her connections as of their last start will be listed at the top of the page.  From there, you can then search the owners name in the same search box on the Equibase homepage (choose ‘owner’ instead of ‘horse’ from the drop down menu).  This search will return results indicating that owners’ most recent starts and you can then call the racing office at the track where that owner most recently started horses and they will likely be able to direct you to contact information.  If not, Google thoroughly and you will likely at least locate an email address.

How do I find pictures of/information about/details concerning Question Mark’s history/breeding/racing career?

There are numerous resources for this and I will list a few of my favorites below:

Firstly, pull your horse up on www.equibase.com (see instructions above).  From here, you can view his connections, racing history, racing charts, racing videos (in most cases), and earnings.

Also, the Breeder’s Cup nomination page can be useful to search horses by dam and year of birth if you don’t know their given Jockey Club name or if, for instance, you rode an unnamed 2 y/o at some point and wonder whatever happened to them.  https://members.breederscup.com/nominations/checkeligibility.aspx

To better research the family of your horse, to view very detailed past performance information, and to find information about siblings of your horse, check out www.equineline.com.  Their reports do cost money but only a few dollars here and there.

Once you have ascertained your OTTB’s race record, you can contact the tracks at which your horse won by calling their main number (simply Google the track name) and ask to speak with the track photographer.  From there, you can order pictures of your OTTB’s wins (please have the dates of these wins handy).  Pictures are typically 8 x 10, include 2 to 3 different shots, and are between $25 and $50.  It is also occasionally fun to get pictures of races in which your horse ran a close second or third.

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Piggly Wiggly throws his food EVERYWHERE during dinner time.  What can I do to curtail this irritating, wasteful habit?  (compliments of EN reader Susan Goepfert)

Most racehorses are fed in the corner in large round feed tubs fitted with feed saver rings (see link) that really are very effective at keeping the feed in the tub. Thus, a lot of horses learn that they can eat aggressively without risking any loss of food.

http://www.bigdweb.com/mobile/FEED-SAVER-RING-14in-FOR-MINI/productinfo/1135/

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Balloon Boy has a nasty habit of holding his breath when he feels “trapped”, particularly when he is in being in the cross ties having the girth or side reins tightened.  He sometimes even panics, stumbles backwards, and falls over.  I had never heard of this before, is it a common OTTB trait?  (compliments of EN reader Christina Sharkey)

While the breath holding is one of the weirdest, it is not entirely unheard of. 1 in 500 maybe. It may be helpful to know that racehorses, after being straight tied in their stall and groomed, are saddled very loosely because it may be 10 minutes or may be an hour before they are ridden. The girth is only tightened once the rider is in the saddle (99.9% of all racehorses are accustomed to having a rider legged up, they do not learn to be mounted from the ground thus negating a tight girth).  Hope this helps a little. Also keep in mind that racehorses, when getting saddled to race, are saddled on the walk/while moving and mounted on the walk in many cases. Good luck!

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Why does Tickle Puss wiggle and squirm when we shave his muzzle?

Muzzle shaving is very hit or miss in the racing world. Pick 10 Grade 1 barns and 6 will probably shave muzzles. Perhaps he has never had it done before. Or has a tickle-prone nose. I do find that horses who have been twitched a lot (a daily occurrence at a lot of stables for any number of reasons) tend to have more sensitive noses.

I do hope that some of my answers to the questions above have demystified atleast one of your OTTB’s strange quirks and I encourage you to send any further, horse-specific questions to me via email ( [email protected]) for more in-depth and on-point answers.  Material for questions is really running low so please, dearest EN readers, keep those questions coming and please don’t be discouraged if I don’t answer immediately, I will get back to you I promise! Go Eventing and go gallop a (former) racehorse!

Clark Montgomery and Universe show jumping at the Fork, photo by Samantha Clark

The top 20 still have to show jump at Boekelo– will Michael Jung hang on for the win?  He has a rail in hand over Andrew Nicholson.  The US riders have already finished their show jumping, with modest results.

Clark Montgomery had one rail each with Loughan Glen and Universe.  Jon Holling just missed a clear round, picking up a single time fault.  Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda had two down.   Clear rounds seem to be few and far between– eight clears out of the 75 jumped so far.

UPDATE:

In a slightly shocking development, Ze Terminator (Michael Jung) had two rails to fall to second place behind Andrew Nicholson and Quimbo, who turned in one of the very few double clear show jumping rounds to leap-frog Michael into the winner’s position. If you’ll  harken back all the way to Barbury this year before the Olympics, Andrew pulled a one-two, winning the CIC*** with Avebury and a close second with Quimbo.

Although I am a little disappointed to not be able to write “Ze Terminator does it again!”, it’s nice to know that he’s human (I’m still skeptical) and everybody has rails sometimes after running an extremely taxing and muddy cross country the day before.

The show jumping was extremely challenging, with only 13 pairs going double clean out of 100 remaining competitors this morning.

[Live scores]

The U.S. jumped two spots to finish in 6th place overall in Nation’s Cup Standings. Germany won the gold, with New Zealand taking 2nd place and France in 3rd.

Final standings:

Jennie Brannigan looks pleased with her clean xc, photo from USEF High Performance Facebook page.

Reports in from Boekelo say that the cross-country was soggy, wet, and deep.  Time penalties were common, but still 12 riders managed to go double clear.  Michael Jung was one of those adding nothing to his leading dressage score of 32.0.  Andrew Nicholson still sits in second, falling just a few points further behind with an added 2.4 time– it should be noted, though, that Quimbo went late in the day, perhaps in the worst of the footing.  Five of the top 10 after dressage remain in the top 10 after cross-country; and Germany continues to be dominant with 3 of those top 10 riders.

It was a mixed day for the USA.  As noted earlier, Phillip took a tumble from Atlas as the horse hung a leg at the coffin.  Jess Montgomery reported that Loughan Glen lost a shoe at fence 10 in the first water and jumped well all the way around to 22 where he slipped out with the right front and missed the line to the corner. He is safe and happy nonetheless, though falling to 71st place.

The remaining three went clean, with some time penalties.

Clark Montgomery – Universe  +7.6 (33rd)

Jennie Brannigan – Cambalda +10.0 (52nd)

Jon Holling – Downtown Harrison  +14.8  (56th)

[Full results]

Top 10

Place  / Rider   / Horse    /  Time /  Score / Place after dressage

1.   Michael JUNG Halunke FBW  + 0,00  32,0 (1.)
2.   Andrew NICHOLSON Quimbo  +2,40  38,80 (2.)
3.  Dirk SCHRADE Edino +0,00 41,00 (6.)
4.   Nicolas TOUZAINT Princesse Pilot  +5,60  43,40 (3.)
5.  Ingrid KLIMKE Tabasco + 0,00 10:29 43,60 (11.)
6.  Piggy FRENCH West Side  +2,40  44,60 (8.)
7.   Jesse CAMPBELL Kaapachino +0,00  47,40 (27.)
8.   Felix VOGG Onfire +0,00  47,80 (32.)
9.   Véronique REAL Pouchkine d’Arcy  +0,40  49,00 (38.)
10.  Andrew HEFFERNAN Millthyme Corolla  +2,00 49,80 (32.)

Clark Montgomery sets the pace for US riders after dressage

Dressage has concluded at Boekelo, with respectable scores for the US riders.  None were able to crack the top 20, but that’s a bit misleading as over 30 riders scored in the 40’s– including Clark Montgomery on Loughan Glen and Universe, and Jon Holling with Downtown Harrison.  Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda scored a reasonable 52.4, and Phillip Dutton sits on 54.8 with Atlas.  The seemingly-unbeatable Michael Jung is comfortably in the lead with a 32.0, followed by Andrew Nicholson and Quimbo (36.4), and Nicholas Touzaint with Princesse Pilot (37.8).

[Full results]

Boekelo CCI3* Top 10 after dressage

1. Michael JUNG Halunke FBW   32,00
2. Andrew NICHOLSON Quimbo   36,40
3. Nicolas TOUZAINT Princesse Pilot   37,80
4. Sara ALGOTSSON-OSTHOLT Mrs Medicott   39,40
5. Jean-Lou BIGOT Lotus de Gobaude   40,00
6. Dirk SCHRADE Edino   41,00
7. Tim PRICE Wesko    41,60
8. Piggy FRENCH West Side  42,20
9. Franziska ROTH Dictus J   42,60
10. Pippa FUNNELL Or Noir de la Loge    43,20

…..

US riders:

25.  Clark MONTGOMERY Loughan Glen    46,20

40. Clark MONTGOMERY Universe*     49,40  (*not a member of the US Nations Cup Team)

41. Jonathan HOLLING Downtown Harrison     49,60

60. Jennie BRANNIGAN Cambalda     52,40

72. Phillip DUTTON Atlas    54,80

In the Nations Cup, here are the Team results after dressage:

1. GERMANY 124,60 1.
2. NEW ZEALAND 130,40 2.
3. FRANCE 132,40 3.
4. GREAT BRITAIN 140,20 4.
5. AUSTRALIA 144,00 5.
6. NETHERLANDS 144,60 6.
7. SWEDEN 144,80 7.
8. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 148,20 8.
9. BELGIUM 154,00 9.
10. IRELAND 162,00 10.
11. ITALY 164,40 11.
12. SWITZERLAND 171,40 12.

The afternoon session of Day 1 dressage was full of some heavy hitters at Boekelo.  Clark Montgomery sat happily in 3rd when he completed his test scoring 46.2.  However, at the end of the day, Clark and Loughan Glen have been bumped down to 11th.  Phillip Dutton and Atlas sit 32nd with a 54.8. Everyone trails Michael Jung and Halunke FBW– their 32.0 is a full 9 points ahead of second place Dirk Schrade and Edino.

[Full Results]

Top 15  after Day 1 dressage:

1. 250 Michael JUNG / Halunke FBW   32,00
2. 248 Dirk SCHRADE /Edino  41,00
3. 291 Tim PRICE /Wesko 41,60
4. 244 Piggy FRENCH /West Side 42,20
5. 211 Maria PINEDO /Windsor H  44,20
6. 281 Merel BLOM /Umberto DB  44,60
7. 273 Raf KOOREMANS /Cavalor Chase the Moon  45,00
8. 215 Sébastien CAVAILLON /Only One du Reverdy 45,20
8. 225 Coral KEEN /Aphrodisiac  45,20
10. 219 Eddy SANS /Phosphore de l’Hocre  45,40
11. 311 Clark MONTGOMERY /Loughan Glen  46,20
12. 269 Kenki SATO /Toy Boy  47,20
13. 299 Felix VOGG /Onfire   47,80
14. 216 Stephan GIGOT /Orage de Longuenee ENE*HN   48,00
14. 254 Sandra AUFFARTH /Parancs  48,00

Looking ahead to tomorrow:

Jennie Brannigan / Cambalda  – 10:36 local (3:36am EST)

Clark Montgomery / Universe – 13:15 local (6:15am EST) * note, horse not a member of the US Nations Cup Team

Jon Holling / Downtown Harrison – 15:28 local (8:28am EST)

Ok, I’m a died-in-the-wool SEC football fan. But even I can get behind Ohio State for this marching band performance… if you are a child of the 80’s, I’m sure you remember a few of these classic video games.  (I’m no gamer, but even I recognize Pac Man and the Mario Bros theme song!)  But the coolest part?  Skip ahead to 6:05 and watch them create a RUNNING HORSE across the football field!  Well done, THE Ohio State Buckeyes!

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Marching Band Video Game Tribute Rocks Video – Watch More Funny Videos

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It’s been a little while since we last heard from Stephen Bradley, but he’s back again with a short blog to catch us up on the goings-on.  Thanks to Stephen for writing, and thank you for reading.

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From Stephen:

Wow!  I can’t believe how the time has flown by this summer!  It’s already October and I figured it was about time to catch everyone up on what we’ve been doing at the barn.

 

In short, we’ve been busy!  We’ve welcomed new assistant trainer Becky Lee, said goodbye to working student Matthew Ulmer, and welcomed new working student Brynn Hammel.  They join our current barn manager/assistant trainer James Daniel Conner and working students Amber Hodyka and Valerie Kubit.   And in between all the comings and goings, we’ve ridden the horses too!

 

The horses are doing great, although some of them have fallen victim to the hard ground that summers in Virginia bring.  The Nicholsons’ Leyland has had most of the summer off, recovering from the world’s worst abscess (or so he thinks it is!).  Helen Brettel’s Marble Arch (“Archie”) has been progressing rapidly in his training and we’re all very excited about his future.  He’ll contest his first Intermediate this fall and aim for a 2* in the spring.  Charlotte Harris’ Bedazzled (“Boomer”) keeps trucking along and shows up to work every day.  You can’t ask for much more than that!

 

James Daniel’s new mare Miss Fantastic is living up to her name and, although she sometimes thinks that dressage is just a little too exciting, she is proving to be a great partner for James Daniel, and it will be fun to watch them move up the levels.  Valerie and Matthew had great seasons at Training level that ended with them going to the AECs in September.  Matthew finished a respectable 35th, and Valerie two places ahead in 33rd. I was very proud of them both for making the long journey on their own and doing so well!

 

Outside of the event horses, my former Advanced horse, Charlotte Harris’ In The Fog (“Simon”) has happily transitioned to life as a hunter under the watchful eye of Peter Foley.  As I’ve mentioned before, Simon particularly enjoys all the eating that’s involved with being a hunter!  In between all the eating, he has been showing a bunch and doing incredibly well.  The most exciting thing is that he has qualified for the Washington International Horse Show and will compete there in the Washington Adult Hunter Finals.  Go Simon!

 

Photo used with permission.

 

I’m also including a few photos from our recent pumpkin carving party.  We all had a rare weekend off from competing, so we decided to get into the Halloween spirit a little early.  As you can see, some of us are more creative than others, but we all had fun!

 

Until next time,

Stephen

 

Clark was smiling at Bromont, and I bet he's smiling now at Boekelo!

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Phillip Dutton with Atlas, and Clark Montgomery with Loughan Glen have already completed their dressage tests at Boekelo CCI3*.  Phillip and Atlas scored a 54.8, while Clark and Glen performed a great test to earn 46.2.  There are 20 horses left to go today, but so far Phillip is in 19th 20th, and Clark is in 5th 6th.

Tim Price, riding Wesko, just moved into the lead with a 41.0.  Eventing superhero Michael Jung has taken command of the leaderboard, scoring a 32.0 on Halunke FBW.   [Full Scoreboard]

Here’s a taste of cross-country from Boekelo last year.  The going looks extremely muddy… here’s hoping for better weather this year!  The weekend forecast looks like rain (70%) on Friday, and a lesser 30% chance of rain on Saturday.  Go eventing.

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If you miss morning television, you generally aren’t missing much.  Cooking shows, fashion advice, odd health tips, and the latest overhyped news stories generally flood the national network airwaves between 7-11am.  However, today Good Morning America featured a cool story with Ann Romney and US Paralympian Becca Hart, discussing the benefits of equine therapy and the disabled, and how it changed Becca’s life.

We’re unable to embed the video here on EN, but click on the link– it’s well worth the watch!

[Good Morning America – Horse Therapy]

Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen

Once again, Jess Montgomery is here to keep us updated on the US hopes from Holland.  Thanks, Jess!

Hello from surprisingly another sunny day at Boekelo. The Tuesday night welcome bbq at this event is known to be a RAGING good time. So last night, team USA went with a plan and I must say executed it well. Clark and Emma Ford got the party kicked off by getting everyone out on the dance floor. The rest of us did our best to crank up the party and once it seemed to be in full swing, we made our way to the door and left it to the locals to carry on into the wee hours of the morning. The grooms had our horses polished and shined to perfection for the jog this afternoon and all of the boys sailed right through. With 18 countries represented and 113 entries in the Three Star there is no lacking in the people- or horse-watching here. Phillip and Atlas are on at 9am tomorrow morning and Clark and Glen go first after the lunch break at 2pm. Here’s hoping for beautiful tests and another sunny day in the Netherlands. GO USA!

-Jess

 

Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda pass the jog

Pat Schmidt kindly sent us a write-up from Roebke’s Run Horse Trials, held in Minnesota last weekend. I’ve never been to Roebke’s Run, but it sounds like a fantastic, fun event! Many thanks to Pat for writing, to D&G Photography for sharing the lovely photos, and thank you for reading.
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The Open Preliminary competition was won by Ann Bower and her horse, Prospero. (Photo by D&G Photography, Center Junction, IA)

Ann Bower and her family dressed up for the Halloween costume competition. Prizes were awarded for Best Personal/Group; Best Horse Costume and Best Haunted Stall. (Photo by D&G Photography, Center Junction, IA)

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One of the highlights of this fall horse trial is the fun they put into it. Participants are encouraged to “Come Creepy and Win.” This means they have an opportunity to win cash prizes for the Best Personal/Group Costume Contest; and Best Haunted Stall Contest.

Makenna Rold, riding Badland’s Echo, won the North Country Challenge Grand Champion event prize of $2,500 and the Roebke’s Run Pony Club Challenge, netting her an additional $500. (Photo by D&G Photography, Center Junction, IA)

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John Williams, the nationally recognized designer of equestrian courses across America, predicted

interesting, challenging, and exciting additions to the already intriguing Roebke’s run layout. “They’ve made so many wonderful improvements to their overall facility. I’m talking about their arenas, the cross country layout and other amenities of stabling and social perks,” said Williams. “The entire atmosphere of Roebke’s Run is very appealing. Because of what they offer, their entries will continue to rise over the next several years.”

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Next Summer, Roebke’s Run Horse Trials are slated for July 12-13, 2013.

For more information on Magister Equitum Stables, visit their website at: www.magisterequitum.com or visit them on Facebook or on the web at: www.SchweissStables.com

Atlas passes the jog. Photo thanks to @MontgomeryEques.  More photos can be seen on the USEF High Performance facebook page.

All US horses passed the jog this morning at Boekelo CCI3*, per the USEF Eventing High Performance facebook page.   A quick perusal of the Boekelo home site does not show a link to any ride times…but we will post them as soon as we find out.  Best of luck to all!

**Update 11:00am**

Here are the ride times for US riders:

Thursday

Phillip Dutton / Atlas  – 9:07 local (2:07am EST)

Clark Montgomery / Loughan Glen – 14:00 local (7:00am EST)

Friday

Jennie Brannigan / Cambalda  – 10:36 local (3:36am EST)

Clark Montgomery / Universe – 13:15 local (6:15am EST) * note, horse not a member of the US Nations Cup Team

Jon Holling / Downtown Harrison – 15:28 local (8:28am EST)

Here is Oz The Tin Man and Katherine Groesbeck on the Advanced course at Woodside HT this weekend.  Thanks to Teresa Groesbeck for lending her camera to Katherine to record this cross-country round!
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Many thanks to Jess Montgomery for a brief update:

Hello from the still sunny Netherlands!

All is well here. With the riders having arrived on Monday morning, the horses are starting to feel a sense of normalcy being able to work and burn off some of their pent up energy from the travel. I hate to even mention it for fear that the skies will just open up but we have yet to see a drop of rain. Hopefully that doesn’t mean it’s storing it for the weekend! The other competitors have started to arrive so the atmosphere is building. I can’t say enough about the hospitality here. The stable manager Frans has gone above and beyond the call of duty to make sure we have no wants for anything. The above picture is of the invite to the “stabling party” tonight. It is apparently legendary and we are as a group both curious and a little leery. I’m fairly certain we do NOT party quite like these guys and with the competition starting Thursday, there is no time for my mandatory 72 hour recovery from a big night. There are 113 horses total in the CCI 3 Star. Phillip, as our team captain just drew for us and the US will being going 5th out of 18 countries that will be competing. More updates tomorrow after the jog at 1:30!

Jess

Who knew Jon Holling’s favorite song was “Call Me Maybe?”

Thanks to Jackie Imholte for the video!

EN blogger finalist Yvette Seger is back with more Tips for Eventers Living in Itty-Bitty Apartments in the City.  Yvette will always be remembered for the famous Insane Walmart Ride, and we welcome her contributions to Eventing Nation.

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From Yvette:

Tips for Eventers Living in Itty-Bitty Apartments in the City: The Power-Walking Etiquette Edition

Hello Eventing Nation!   While many of my Federal employee colleagues enjoyed a nice three-day weekend to celebrate Christopher Columbus stumbling upon the New World, I continued what I’m now calling my two months of vagrant living.  Between farm sitting for two families, judging Pony Club rallies, riding and competing my two beasties so that they are in tip-top shape for the upcoming Novice 3-day at Waredaca, and of course, working to pay the bills, my itty-bitty apartment seems to have downsized even further to what I can fit into a small wheelie suitcase, a tote bag, and my handbag of the moment (I heart you, Kate Spade!).  This weekend’s destination?  New Orleans!

I know, I know…you’re probably expecting some sort of bizarre helmet cam video of me stumbling “galloping” down Bourbon Street and nose-diving into a basket of beignets at Café du Monde(those antics were so LAST trip to New Orleans…duh).  No, no…this trip was all about being a responsible (*chortle*) adult (checking driver’s license – yup, winner on a technicality, I guess) role model (STOP LAUGHING!  You know you’re just jealous that I was the Wal-Mart XC pathfinder) to the members of Pony Club’s Deep South Region at their annual Eventing Rally at the Lagniappe Equestrian Center about an hour north of NOLA.  But you’ll hear more about that in a separate post (WARNING!  Super-cute ponies and kids alert!)…

Anyway, the security line for the Seat Yourself Airlines terminal at BWI served as a reminder for several of my key attributes:   #1:  I do not have any bipedal children.  #2:  Pregnant women make me nervous.  #3:  I do not own nor would I wear a velour track suit, let alone wear it out in public.  #4:  I am not very patient.   While numbers 1 and 2 are probably a side-effect of being an only child and #3 just proves that I have some basic fashion sense, #4 indicates that I’m in a constant cycle of trying to get 30 things done at once.  Negative:  not all horses respond very well to a rider who is – in the words of my boss – a “natural spazz.”  Positive:  my Mach 10 personality means that I get a lot done in a short amount of time, namely, I’ve probably walked my cross-country course three times, ordered 5 pairs of shoes online, and led two work-related conference calls in the time it took you to walk it once.  Luckily they only time the horses running around cross-country, because I’d undoubtedly get speed faults.

Sorry I don’t have a better segue to today’s tip…one of the hazards of spastic thinking is that you may get distracted before you actually finish a project…As a random aside, I came across this fun story about a service horse flying on the aforementioned Seat Yourself Airlines while trying to come up with ideas for today’s blog visual.  I’m SO flying with my Super Pony in tow next time!

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Tip for Eventers Living in Itty-Bitty Apartments in the City #9:

I’ll admit it, I’m a little high strung. I walk fast. Everywhere. At all times.  Even in my workday standard of 4” heels.  If you’re a fast walker like I am, you end up passing a lot of people on the sidewalk, in the Metro station, etc. Just know that when you’re dealing with people who are walking on their own two feet (as opposed to them sitting on a nice horse you wish you had for yourself), you don’t have to yell, “Outside!” or “Inside!” to let people know you’re passing. Unless you feel like freaking out tourists. Which is always fun.

James Alliston on Peggy and Chuck Moore's Tivoli. Photo courtesty of Sherry Stewart

Alliston Swaps The Lead At Woodside International Horse Trials

(edited press release)

Jolie Wentworth and GoodKnight, photo courtesy of Sherry Stewart

James Alliston and Mojo, photo courtesy of Sherry Stewart

Mackenna Shea and Landioso, third in the CIC3*, photo by Sherry Stewart

 

Jordan Taylor and Cambridge in the Advanced, photo from Bill Olson

 

Maris Burns and Young Gun in the Advanced, photo from Bill Olson

Hawley Bennett-Awad on Gin & Juice in the Intermediate... First competition back after their fall at the Olympics, photo from Bill Olson

Emilee Libby and Nonsensical in the Intermediate, photo from Bill Olson