Become an Eventing Nation BloggerNice to know the US Government isn’t alone in their shortcomings; apparently Canada has its share of bureaucratic errors.
From Gamal Awad’s facebook page:
In 1988, the US Show Jumping Team won the silver medal at the Seoul Olympics. The individual silver was won by Greg Best and the incomparable Gem Twist. If you’re of a certain age, I’m sure you had a serious crush on Gem and Greg, as they dominated in the sport of Show Jumping. Following his time with Gem Twist, Greg moved to New Zealand and served as coach of their national team, but still travels internationally to give clinics. The following video is from a clinic he gave in Colorado several years ago, detailing the finer points of a rider’s position over fences. Learn from the Best!
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Kentucky Performance Products makes a fantastic electrolyte product and you can win a year’s supply simply by clicking the banner below and entering promo code EN2. Just click the banner below and fill out the form. Many thanks to KPP for joining the team and stay tuned for much more.
In compiling the results of the 2011 EN Census, we found many supportive parents of eventers. Which made us think: we would love to hear from you! We certainly wouldn’t be where we are today without our wonderful moms and dads. It would be great to share the Parent’s Perspective here on Eventing Nation. If you have thoughts or experiences to share, please send them to [email protected] with “Parent” in the title. Thanks to Kris Ennis for sharing her story of her daughter Jules and their horse Findhorn.
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From Kris:
What is your horse’s story?
How do you say hello to your horse? With Findhorn, I’m not quite sure if I should greet him with a G’day mate, lei hao, kia ora, hola, or hello! However, he doesn’t seem to care what I say as long as the greeting is accompanied with a yummy treat and a scratch on the forehead.
Findhorn
As a child after reading the novel, Black Beauty, I have always been intrigued by where a horse has come from and what it has done in its past life. But horses aren’t as forthcoming as people in spilling their life history. Although he is tight lipped about it, my daughter’s seventeen year old Australian Thoroughbred, Findhorn, is quite the international traveler. Findhorn was born in Queensland Australia in 1995. Like Boyd Martin he had an American parent, Real Cash that had made Australia his new home. Rumor has it that Findhorn then went to Hong Kong for a racing career. He must not have been a champ in the racing circuit because Findhorn was soon shipped to New Zealand where he began his career in eventing. In his first year of eventing, Finn finished with a win at a CCI* and was promptly sold to Mexico. There are not a lot of horse trials in Mexico, but Finn competed in about two FEI CCI*’s a year for about five years. We were told that in his last two years he was mainly ridden by the owner’s daughter for dressage and show jumping. His Mexican owners were moving and sent Findhorn up to Virginia in 2007 for Findhorn to be sold. That’s where Findhorn’s present day life began when my thirteen year old daughter went and tried Finn out at Windchase Farm.
We had made the decision to find a gentle horse for Jules to move up from training level to Intermediate. We treked over to Virginia to find a sweet, if not a bit thin thoroughbred with sad looking feet. The Mexican farriers had not been too kind to Finn’s feet for the last six years and we knew this would be his major maintenance issue. Finn was the first horse Jules had tried in this search for her future upper level horse. As soon as Jules got on Finn, she nodded her head that this horse was meant for her. He had a beautiful trot and was a joy to ride on the flat. Phillis Dawson watched as Jules timidly went over fences, then stepped in and started shouting at her to relax, get out of Findhorn’s way, and let the horse do the jumping. And boy could he jump! Their partnership was born then and there.
For the next couple of years Jules and Findhorn established trust and their relationship as Jules honed her skills at training level. After fourteen horse trials in the Training Divisions, Findhorn had more than proven that he was ready and willing to safely take my daughter up to the next level. While I had been extremely nervous when Jules rode her first training course I could see a confidence in both horse and rider and watched with pride as they conquered the Preliminary cross country. Findhorn was bold to the fences looking for the next one as soon as he landed. He was a sleek sports car out in that field. Galloping cross country was what Findhorn was born to do. I don’t know if he was remembering back to his days in beautiful New Zealand or Mexico, but you could see in his powerful stride and nifty jumping that he would rather be nowhere else than the hills of Virginia as he handily finished the course. Findhorn fulfilled all his and his girl’s dreams over the next two years while they moved up the levels to finish their final competition at Advanced in fourth place!
It’s now time for Findhorn to begin the next phase of his life while his “girl” begins hers. Just like her horse, Jules now begins her life as an International competitor and world traveler. She will be bringing her younger stead, Walstraed back to England from whence he came three years ago. Walstraed, just like Findhorn, also has a lot of stories to tell, with his life beginning in Holland, moving to England, then the United States, and back to England again! We will leave his memoirs for another day.
In the mean time, Findhorn our Amexaunislander thoroughbred, is looking for the perfect next home. He is ready to bring another one or two riders up the levels…patiently waiting for the glory days where he can again joyfully gallop cross country, flying over jumps, splashing through the water and up and down banks.
All photos by Jay Ennis
After a busy spring season that culminated with a 9th place finish on Leyland at Jersey Fresh, Stephen Bradley has given himself and his horses a bit of a summer break. Today, Stephen checks in with us to talk about the importance of time off, teaching, and getting back in the groove. Thanks for writing, Stephen, and thank you for reading.
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Stephen teaching Kelley Williams on Western Comet at A Bit Better Farm. Photo by Stephanie Bradley-Green.
From Stephen:
Summer Vacation
It’s been awhile since I last blogged for EN, and John thought it was about time I checked in, so I pulled together a quick update about the team.
Last time I checked in was right after Jersey Fresh in the middle of May. To be perfectly honest, not much has happened on the competition front since then. I was planning on taking the young Prelim horses to Waredaca in June, but was sick that week and decided to scratch at the last minute. So aside from a catch ride at Seneca Valley, it’s been pretty quiet on the competition side of things this summer. The main reason for this is that I’m a big believer in taking some time off. As I said in my previous blog, it’s hard to keep horses at their peak for too long. I think it’s important for the horses to get some down time to just be horses. I’m lucky to have a lot of turnout at home, so the horses spend a lot of time outside with a buddy. And we’re also lucky to have hours of hacking around the property available to us, so the horses also spend plenty of time out of the ring.
Not only is the down time good for the horses, but I also think it’s good for the riders. Regardless, if you’re going to a one-day horse trials or a weekend trip away, competing is tiring, both physically and mentally. So I find that blocking off at least a month or so where you’re not competing will help keep you fresh and loving your “job” versus getting burnt out halfway through the year. I always try to remember that I’m lucky to be doing what I love for a living, so I try to hold onto that idea and never take it for granted. Complaining about getting to ride world class horses every day is simply not an option!
But just because I haven’t been competing this summer, doesn’t mean that I haven’t been busy. I’ve taught over a dozen clinics since Jersey Fresh and have put more than a few miles on my car in doing so. But again, I can’t complain and really do love teaching as much as riding. I do have to say one of the highlights of the summer was doing the cross country course walks for Pony Club Nationals at the Virginia Horse Center in July. Having started my riding career in Pony Club, I think it’s so important to give back, and this was such a fun way to do so.
So when will I be competing next? The plan is to take a few horses to Waredaca in August and then Loch Moy in early September and go from there. Helen Brettell’s Marble Arch will be making his Intermediate debut at Loch Moy and his FEI debut at the Plantation Field CIC*. If I had to look into a crystal ball, I would say that “Archie” will contest a 2* in the spring and make a hopeful move up to Advanced late next year. But horses are horses, so we’ll see what he wants to do. Charlotte Harris’ Bedazzled (aka “Boomer”) will continue at Preliminary this fall and we’ll re-evaluate at the end of the year to see if we should aim him for a spring 1* or Intermediate move up. Unfortunately Peter Foley’s Loreto sustained a mild injury that will keep him out of competition this fall, but he’ll be ready to rock and roll by winter time. And the Nicholsons’ Leyland will be gearing up for a fall three-day after thoroughly enjoying his time off this summer.
On a side note, the end of summer does mean that I will be losing two working students as they go off to school. So if you know of anyone looking, be sure to send them my way!
Until next time …
Stephen
via @GarthJenkins
Last week we challenged you to a caption contest for the photo above. The chinchillas selected the top three left in the comments section, and we’ll put it up for a vote to decide the winner. Here are your choices…
1. Heather Maples: “I told you it tastes like success. Beer and success, but mostly success.”
2. Charlotte Greenbaum: “Now that’s what I call having your medal and eating it too!”
3. Lizzie Sauter: “Now do you believe me that it is real? Maybe people will finally believe me when I say I am an athlete!”
Please vote in the poll below. The winner will receive some swag from our good friends at MDBarnmaster. Good luck and go eventing.
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I admit it, I’m an Olympics junkie. Given the opportunity, I can watch Olympic events all day long– from water polo to pole vaulting to rowing, I take it all in. Yes, three hours of volleyball for five days does get a little boring, but you never know when they’ll cut over to fencing or (yippee!) something horse-related. I admit, water polo really does grow on you after a while… the idea of treading water for an hour can make even the simplest game very difficult! And yes, they continue to tread water even during timeouts and pauses in play. While basketball players sit in chairs, sip gatorade, and listen to their coaching instructions, water polo players are still kicking their feet and waving their hands trying not to drown. Now that’s a fit athlete!
What other sports could be added to the Olympics? I heard a rumor (confirmed?) that Golf could be added next year. I have nothing against golf– my father is a devout follower of the game, and I have played several times. But I hesitate to call it a “sport;” certainly it requires great skill, but the physical exertion of golfing rarely pushes one’s heartrate into a cardiovascular work zone. I’m not saying that’s a requirement for an Olympic sport– but I think there are better options.
Like horseball, for instance?
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Sharon White and Rafferty’s Rules have developed quite a fan club here at Eventing Nation. Samantha wrote a lovely piece about Sharon and her stay in Wellington, FL– including the famous Boston Creme video. And then Dr. Adrienne Classen was kind enough to share Rolex with us from the owner’s perspective, and let us all into the life of Reggie’s world. It’s a wonderful story and a great partnership between Sharon, Reggie, and their team, and we are happy to follow along. Many thanks to Sharon for writing, and thank you for reading.
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Sharon and Rafferty's Rules at Rebecca Farm, photo courtesy of Kerrits
From Sharon:
The opportunities I’ve had this year due to receiving the Rebecca Broussard International Developing Rider Grant have been incredible, and they continue now that Rafferty’s Rules and I are based at Rodney Powell’s and Alex Franklin’s Manor Farm in England, getting ready to tackle the challenge of Burghley. And oh to be in England right now with the London Olympics in full swing! It is beyond inspiring, and since team GB just won two team gold medals and a silver in the Equestrian sports, it certainly is the place to be to learn something about horses, riding, and horsemanship.
“The Becky Grant,” run by the USEA endowment trust, is designed to be a springboard for the development of the sport in our country, to give someone exposure and access to the best in the world, to see what it takes to become the best of the best, and to be able to bring this knowledge home. I started this year able to spend a fair amount of time in Wellington, Florida working with the best in the dressage and show jumping, and competing against the best at WEF. And now to be in England is just incredible.
View of Manor Farm
Reg is amazingly happy… he likes anything that revolves completely around him, and he knows this is all about him. He’s settled in beautifully- as any horse would- as Rodney and Alex run a fabulous yard, where the horses are happy, the staff is happy, and the attention to detail extraordinary. And unfortunately for Rodney he recently had to have knee surgery, but fortunately for me as this means he has more time to help! And the chances of having someone as good as Rodney with time, well l’d say timing is everything. He sussed Reg out fairly quickly, and the help is just fantastic.
Reg at Rodney's
One of my biggest concerns is Reg’s fitness, as he was not fit enough at Rolex. I leaned a tremendous amount from that experience, and I hope I never have to repeat it. My heart wouldn’t hold up I think! I was fortunate enough at home to train on the O’Connors gallop, which I must give a shout out to them and Ms Mars- thank you!! That is an amazing gallop, and prepared Reg for the incredible gallops over here. With the cool weather, perfect ground, and spectacular country, I feel like I couldn’t be in a better spot.
View from the gallops in England
We head to Hartpury for our pre-Burghley run this week; I’m looking forward to seeing what shape we’re in, as this will be Reg’s first advanced run since Rolex. Fingers crossed for all the Americans there!
This touching video was sent to us by Suzanne Adams shortly after the NAJYRC, but it got a bit lost in Olympics eventing mania. Now that we have a moment, this is well worth the watch– an inspiration to us all!
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[youtube width=”560″ height=”315″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWJMZOtMu1I
From Suzanne:
This video is of the fifth place rider in the 1*. Her barn mates put this together for her and it is incredibly beautiful. Let me give you an idea of who this kid – Janelle Phaneuf is…
I met her as a little kid with a 22 year old pony. Her family is not rich but support her in every way possible. She works hard, has a great attitude and never says “can’t.” What this girl has done with so little is absolutely amazing. The video takes quotes that people posted on her wall during the competition… it says sooo much.
Thank you Eventing Nation.
The team show jumping has concluded in London. EN guest blogger Liz Fletcher has been kind enough to give us Eventers a sophisticated break-down of each day of Show Jumping competition for both team and individuals. Thanks to Liz for contributing, and thanks for reading.
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Great Britain’s Ben Maher entering arena, photo via @clarebalding1
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From Liz:
Holy Union Jack, Eventing Nation! What an awesome Olympics for team GBR. So far in the ponies they’ve racked up one team gold, one team silver, and are looking really good for an individual medal from Nick Skelton PLUS the GBR dressage team is KICKING BUTT. Go home team!
Watch team GBR victory gallop, brought to you by Sarah from Smart Pak via her twitter http://yfrog.com/
Sadly, the day was not as kind to the Americans. Team USA ended up out of the medals in 6th place after a number of faults for the riders, including the usually unflappable Rich Fellers and Flexible. Flexible and Fellers will move on in the individual competition, but with 8 faults it is unlikely that they will medal. McLain Ward and Antares F will also move on to the final Individuals rounds, but they go in with 12 faults. You can catch the final show jumping action on Wednesday, August 8th.
While at work this afternoon, the TV was turned to NBC sports and highlights of the show jumping came on. One of my coworkers turned to me and said, “that is a ridiculous Olympic sport. And it’s not even that hard.” I said, “They’re jumping over five feet.” He replies, “Well, people can jump that high.” But after watching about five minutes he went, “Uh, you are so right. This looks impossible.” Even the uninitiated can understand how difficult show jumping can be, and today’s course caught out many pairs. Only 3 horses and riders have gone clear since the first round: Nick Skelton on Big Star for Great Britain, and two riders from the Netherlands, Maikel van der Vleuten on Verdi and Marc Houtzager on Tamino.
The Saudi team led the team standings coming in to this morning’s competition, but it was into a jump off by the end to decide team gold between Holland and Great Britain. GBR had not won the show jumping title since the Helsinki games in 1952. In the jump off, 3 of 4 of the British contingent went double clear, but two Dutch riders had fences down. Saudi Arabia landed the Bronze medal, their first ever.
Do you want the secret to winning a gold medal in show jumping (or any equestrian sport)? It’s all in the eyes: http://www.discoverhorses.com/
Here is an excellent article written by EN’s friend Erin Gilmore with more in depth information about the disqualification of Tiffany Foster: http://www.proequest.com/news/
Well, now that the Team medals have been decided, the show jumpers have a two-day break and we begin tomorrow morning with more coverage from dressage! Click here (http://www.london2012.com/
Go Team Great Britain!
EN reader Jess Halliday sent us this little message from Millbrook:
I was up at Millbrook Horse Trials this weekend which is one of my favorite events. Couldn’t believe Boyd and Phillip flew back to run here. We got to rock our “Oh Boy(d)” shirts (which can be purchased at ohboyd.net) and snag a few minutes of his time. Go Boyd!
Peter and Henny at Red Hills, photo by Samantha Clark
From Peter’s facebook page:
Well 2012 continues to be a challenging year for Henry and I. Last week when I turned Henry out he rolled, jumped up, bucked and spun around to gallop off. Unfortunately when he went to take off he slipped and fell on his shoulder. He is going to be just fine but he banged himself and is a little sore. We have had the vet look at him and there is nothing seriously wrong but he needs a few days of light work and no jumping for a week or so. Of course the timing couldn’t be worse. We were planning to leave for Hartpury tomorrow which is the only CIC*** I can run to get him ready for Burghley. He needs the run there since he has not been to an event in almost 6 months due to my ankle. Henry is an amazing horse but I can not ask him to run a CCI**** without another run before hand. I can’t tell you how frustrated I am. We have been training in Germany with a Grand Prix dressage rider, Rick Klaassen www.rickklaassen.com, and a Sports Movement Scientist, Eckart Meyners, who has been working on my body movement. The education we have both received has been invaluable and we were so excited to compete at Burghley. I am absolutely devastated that once again I am forced to make the “safe” decision not to run. We will be traveling back to the US as soon as I can get a flight organized. This fall will be dedicated to more dressage work and we will be back competing in the US this winter in route to Rolex next spring. Thank you all so much for your support especially during the last few trying months.
Photo via @clairebalding1, who had a wonderful running commentary on Twitter during the finale
Host country Great Britain has been churning out the medals in the last few days– from Jessica Ennis winning the Heptathlon, to Andy Murray defeating Roger Federer– and the momentum continued with the show jumping team.
For the first time since 1952, Great Britain won the team show jumping gold medal. The Dutch ended up with the silver, followed by the Saudi Arabian team for bronze. The US team tied for 6th, after an 8-fault ride from McClain Ward, a 4-fault ride from Beezie Madden, and a 12-fault ride from Reed Kessler. Rich Fellers and Flexible added two rails as well for the US. Fellers and Ward will move on to the individual competition. Go Flexible! [Full story from NBC]
From the Horse & Hound:
Britain’s showjumpers have won Olympic gold for the first time in 60 years.
The team of Nick Skelton, Ben Maher, Scott Brash and Peter Charles had to jump off for the gold medal against the Netherlands after both teams finished on eight faults after two rounds.
Nick Skelton, first to go, jumped his fourth clear round of the Games on Big Star.
Ben Maher replicated it on Tripple X, whose four faults earlier in the afternoon was his first fence down of the competition.
Scott Brash, who had jumped a perfect clear on Hello Sanctos less than an hour previously, just tipped the second fence for four faults.
The three Dutch riders who had jumped so far had amassed 12 faults – only Jur Vrieling was faultless, managing his first clear round of the competition. But Peter Charles had to have four faults or less to take gold for Britain.
I’ve had some pretty smart dogs in my life; mostly of the retriever variety, so I know all about playing fetch and a dog’s need to bring things. However, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a dog retrieve a cat; and certainly not in this fashion!
[Thanks to Marjean for the tip]
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For the first time since I remember, neither Germany nor the Netherlands are leading the Team Dressage. Home team Great Britain stands proudly in gold medal position so far, with three riders in the top 10. Great Britain has improved their dressage markedly in the last few years; at 2010 WEG, I was wowed by Laura Bechtolsheimer and the flashy chestnut Mistral Hojris, who won the individual and team silver.
The US’s hopes seem to always lie with Steffen Peters and Ravel, and they did not disappoint with a 77.6% good enough for sixth place after the first round. The US Team is in fifth; GBR, GER, and NED are clearly out front in the medal race.
Individual Dressage Results (Grand Prix)
| 1 |  DUJARDIN C |
VALEGRO | 83.663 % | + | |
| 2 |  CORNELISSEN A |
PARZIVAL | 81.687 % | + | |
| 3 |  LANGEHANENBERG H |
DAMON HILL | 81.140 % | + | |
| 4 | SPREHE K |
DESPERADOS | 79.119 % | + | |
| 5 | HESTER C |
UTHOPIA | 77.720 % | + | |
| 6 |  PETERS S |
RAVEL | 77.705 % | + | |
| 7 | BECHTOLSHEIMER L |
MISTRAL HOJRIS | 76.839 % | + | |
| 8 | SCHNEIDER D |
DIVA ROYAL | 76.277 % | + | |
| 9 |  TRUPPA V |
EREMO DEL CASTEGNO | 75.790 % | + | |
| 10 |  MUNOZ DIAZ JM |
FUEGO | 75.608 % |
Team Standings
| Rk | Team | Result | + |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Great Britain |
79.407 | + |
| 2 |
Germany |
78.845 | + |
| 3 |
Netherlands |
76.809 | + |
| 4 |
 Denmark |
73.845 | + |
| 5 |
United States |
72.801 | + |
| 6 |
Spain |
72.467 | + |
| 7 |
 Sweden |
71.940 | + |
| 8 |
 Poland |
68.536 | + |
| 9 |
 Australia |
68.521 | + |
Sixteen-year-old Mikaela has spent her summer as a working student for Jan Byyny at Surefire Farm. Two weekends ago, she was a groom for the Area II Young Rider Team. Area II won the CH-Y** individual gold (Connor Husain and Piece of Hope) and the CH-J* individual silver (Hanna Krueger and Pinney North). Sadly, Mikaela’s summer has come to an end and today she reflects back upon her experience. Thanks for blogging, Mikaela! If you have something to share with EN, send it to [email protected]. Thanks for reading!
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The Surefire working student team
From Mikaela:
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I promise this is the last time I will interrupt your Olympic coverage! As I head home to Southern Pines after my Adventures in Virginia and Kentucky I figured it would be a good time to reflect on my crazy insane amazing wonderful summer. I would put more adjectives in but I don’t want it to get to long.
First of all you can sleep when you’re dead. What is sleep you ask? Well it’s this crazy thing us working students and grooms get very little of but learn to work off of by about the second day. I recommend lots of caffeine and canned Starbucks drinks to get you through this phase. Also when you are without power for a week don’t expect to get any thing outside of the barn done due to lack of light, water and other amenities people are used to having and a party is required when you get said power back. And try and remember that 90-degree weather is cool and if we complain Mother Nature just gives us 100-degree weather. Then when it comes to showing it doesn’t matter what you do in warm up just the ring so don’t screw up if warm up is going well and if warm up is not going well just put it behind you and pretend you never warmed up. And each day you learn whether its that what your doing might just be right or learning never to make that mistake again you are ALWAYS learning so remember to keep your mind open. And finally get the job done at all costs.
Now when it comes to NAJYRC’s USA backpacks and fashionable *lucky* belts are the new things as backpacks are much easier to carry around than buckets as you might end up carrying it for awhile.
Sticky spray keeps quarter marks on amazingly well and a purple throw away shaver is the perfect size to put a II on your horses butt. It is also much easier in the vet box when 90% of your stuff is safely there the night before and the final load at least an hour before the first rider. In addition to that when each rider’s tack is in neat piles it makes it so much less likely things will get lost when you take it back too the barn with each horse.
And stud duty is a treacherous job; expect to stay completely soaked from about 8 to 2 and get asked many times if you in fact did get any water on the horse. Show Jumping day is filled with every emotion you could possibly imagine and watching a horse soar over the colored sticks can be the most nerve-wracking thing ever.
And last but not least the friends you make will last a lifetime and the stories and memories that come out of it are truly amazing. Whether it is working back at surefire or grooming at young riders I would not have changed anything about my experience and each and every person is amazing and I cannot wait to do it all again next summer.
Until Next Time Go Eventing and Go Summer!!! -Mikaela
Sam Griffiths and Happy Times, photo by Samantha Clark
As you can see from the Griffiths Eventing Team facebook page, Sam Griffiths was just called up to the Australian Eventing Team. The Horse & Hound reports:
Rumours have been circulating on twitter this morning that Megan Jones is out of the squad due to an injury to Allofasudden and Sam’s facebook page now confirms: “We had a call this morning telling Sam to get up to Greenwich asap – he’s needed!”
Sam will ride Dinah Posford and Juliet Donald’s 13-year-old Happy Times, by Heraldik. The pair finished third at Badminton and Burghley in 2009 and fourth at Badminton last year.
This is the second change to the Australian team in five days — Megan was called into the squad on Sunday because of an injury to Shane Rose’s Taurus.
We appreciate Colleen Hofstetter for sending us this article about three Floridians who make a trip north for the summer– the opposite drive that many eventers face each winter. It sounds like Marcea, Debbie, and Caroline have had a great time and learned a lot! Again, thanks to Colleen for writing and thank you for reading.
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So what’s it called when the fair folks of Florida head north for the summer? Snow birds in reverse! Not bad planning – considering that the weather in Florida during the summer is HHH – hazy, hot, and humid! And this year the summer started out with more than a foot of precipitation – makes it kinda hard to keep event horses fit and in training. With that in mind, three Floridians have traveled north for the summer and have exchanged the HHH weather of Florida for cooler HHH weather in Virginia! Whatever the weather, there are many advantages to spending a summer in VA!
Marcea Funk of Jacksonville FL, Debbie Foote of Tallahassee FL, and Caroline Mandeville of Callahan FL all made the trek north with their horses and are ensconced at Sara Kozumplik’s Overlook Farm in Berryville VA. Why? Well as Debbie explains, “In one week I had lessons with Linda Zang, jump schools with Brian Murphy, and went to a horse trial in MD.” Now that’s keeping your horse in training! Marcea and Caroline agree. “Not much happening in FL right now. The horses get bored going to the same venue over and over. This summer will give me a chance to get to know a new horse I have and I can keep him in training,” noted Marcea. Marcea regularly trains with Karen O’Connor and Brian Murphy. Knowing that Karen would probably not be spending much time in VA didn’t deter Marcea, who is concentrating on getting to know her new partner Basil Brush. “I’ll be able to work with Karen for a short period of time in late summer; and I really believe event riders need to train with professional show jumping coaches to help build and develop proper jumping skills. It influences riders and horses to better negotiate our courses but also to develop better balance in the canter, something that can only help us out on XC. Usually event riders spend January in Palm Beach or Wellington working on their stadium. So now my new horse will be getting some extensive training time working with Brian throughout the summer.”
Marcea with Basil Brush
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This intrepid group of gals made the trip north at different times and each has different goals. Caroline has come north trying to find a new horse to replace her steady-eddie lower level horse. “I’m thinking I would like to look for something with a bit of experience – something that could be competitive at the prelim level. So I figured – there must be lots of horses to look at in VA!” Horses have a way of coming out of the woodwork, so Caroline has been able to get in extra riding in addition to keeping her horse going. Marcea and her new partner, Basil Brush, are still getting to know each other. “He has had some time off and seems to be enjoying getting back into the game. He’s a great jumper and has taken well to a new program. We are doing some re-educating and changing the approach on some things. Regular dressage lessons with Linda Zang have been a tremendous influence. If I were in FL now I would still be drying out from all the rain and would have missed weeks of training time. I’m not in a big hurry with this horse, but I do want to keep his education going.” Debbie brought several horses with her and each has a different goal, but to specifically work with Brian Murphy on show jumping. “Brian has really turned my riding around and I want to keep that going. I have a young event horse – Ziggy – that is coming along quite well, and then I have my old buddy with me, Frankie, and we are still deciding what will be his next career move.” Long, hot days in the VA sun has brought great results : at Upperville and Culpepper both Ziggy and Basil had high placings in the level 3 and level 4 jumpers – even winning some money which is always welcome!! Debbie also has a very young super star in the making that has been spending some extended time with Brian – practice makes perfect!
Debbie schooling Frankie on the flat.
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So what have the southern transplants been up too? The summer started off with the Upperville Colt and Horse Show, as well as Culpepper – a couple of times! XC schooling is a short hack across the street to Gordonsdale, and the girls checked out the lovely countryside at Seneca, Surefire, Loch Moy, and Stuart Horse Trials. In between has been Linda Zang dressage lessons as well as good ol’ country lane hacks through the beautiful VA scenery. This visit is a first for Caroline. “I had never been to Virginia before – it’s so beautiful! And the nights are so cool – the horses love it. In FL it is hot day and night, the horses never get a chance to really cool down. Here the cool air in the night time, as well as the fireflies, makes for a pretty picture!” Another first for Caroline is Middleburg – oh yes, the quintessentially quaint Middleburg. Good food and good shopping!
Caroline trying out a new horse.
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Marcea has had to travel back to FL every now and then to keep up with her Market Street Equestrian training business. “While I have my own goals for my horse, I also have clients that have goals for their horses as well, so I do feel a responsibility to be available to them also. It does take balancing and planning, but it’s what the northern folks do all winter.” Being from NY, Marcea knows quite well how to deal with seasonal issues. “I started coming south for the winter during the latter part of high school and eventually moved there with my husband Chris. I spent the summer in VA about two years ago training and competing and found it to be immensely helpful. I want to keep my new horse on the right track, but value my training clients as well, so this seems to be a good compromise.”
The girls will be competing at the main northern venues including the upcoming Millbrook and Richland. “Lots of miles on the truck and trailer, but might as well make the most of your time,” stated Marcea. “If you’re not out there learning and doing things, then you’re going backwards; I’m so thankful for the opportunity to do this and the horses I have to work with. I don’t want to miss a single chance to improve and work towards my long term goals.” Caroline has had to return to FL for work, but has lots to mull over and Debbie continues to make plans for her horses. All in all, a HHH summer in VA doesn’t sound bad at all! Good luck ladies and see you next year when us “original” snow birds put the pedal to the metal and head south!
Mark Todd and NZB Campino, photo by Samantha Clark
56-year old Olympic veteran Mark Todd seems to be having a few troubles in London’s Olympic Village. From his facebook page:
This is getting too much. First man in food hall says “what are you an official for?” I say “I’m an athlete” to which he replies “oh you must be in shooting.” “No, 100m” I fire back!
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Then today I go to get on the bus to come back to the village from the park and the woman stops me and says ” this is only for athletes!” I patiently explain and show my accreditation. Then back in the village I decide to go for the free haircut and the young guy at reception says the same thing. Too much! I want a badge that says in huge letters IM AN ATHLETE!! Too funny!
Glad he is taking it all in good humor. Toddy represents New Zealand for the seventh time, aboard NZB Campino. Go eventing, and go Mark Todd! (Hat tip to Racetrack Reject on the Chronicle Forums.)
Sixteen-year-old Mikaela has been spending her summer as a working student for Jan Byyny at Surefire Farm. This past week, she was a groom for the Area II Young Rider Team. Area II won the CH-Y** individual gold (Connor Husain and Piece of Hope) and the CH-J* individual silver (Hanna Krueger and Pinney North). Congrats to Area II and thanks to Mikaela for writing. If you have something to share with EN, send it to [email protected]. Thanks for reading!
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Woodge enjoying Young Riders
From Mikaela:
A weeks worth of amazing memories at this years NAJYRC’s is hard to fit into one blog but here it goes. Wednesday started off competition with the first jogs. Our horses looked great and it was pretty cool to see them trot up the jog strip with their pretty 2’s on their butts and I think we were all very proud of the team we were able to put together.
We quickly had to change direction as early the next morning dressage day started and as things would have it Connor Husain and Piece of Hope (Bruno) were the first riders in the ring at 8 AM. This meant an early morning of shining, grooming and cleaning but well worth it when they put in the best test of their careers so far and received a 53.9. A good score to start off the weekend and the day for the rest of the team. Molly Curtiss was next in the ring with her wonderful mare Savannah IX. Molly rode amazingly well and although they didn’t receive the best score it was still a really good test.
Onto the one star. Savannah Fulton (“Woodge”) started off the day there with a very nice test, judged a little harshly for a 57.1. She and Ringfort Tinkatoo (Tinks) looked super and really set a high standard for our team to come. Morgan rode next and as usual put in a fabulous test for a score of 52! Caroline Quanbeck put in another good test for a 51! The team was on a roll and Andi Lawrence was able to carry the momentum and score a 57. And then Hanna came in after the rain delay and got a 52! Seeing them all sparkle in the arena and all the silver and brass shine definitely can make a groom proud.
On Friday everyone had a light jump school in preparation for Saturday’s XC. I walked the one star course once with the coaches and riders and wheeled it with Grace Fulton. The course looked a bit more challenging than the year before but defiantly doable. Friday involved running around trying to get the vet box organized before we sent our riders out. I think I was probably more nervous watching them go out than when I’m riding myself! Connor went out and we waited at the finish line praying he would have a good round–and he did just that, coming home clean and clear! We got into our system right away and Bruno cooled out fantastically. I was on stud duty so I was already soaked by the time Bruno was released but it was okay because we were all smiles. Molly was able to emulate what Connor had done before her and had another foot perfect round and the mare came back so well it made our job in the vet box so much easier. It amazed me how well behaved the horses were even after running XC.
Savannah in the vet box
Woodge put on a show and blazed around the one star track and after that we had a horse in the box every 20 minutes so I was either at warm up or at the finish. Whether it be greasing or just offering a “Go kill it!” I tried to do whatever I could. Morgan rode perfectly but unfortunately had one run by, silly horse, and then Caroline took a spill at the coffin but Blacky thought he still had to run so the only semi crazy part of our day was when we had two horses in the box at one time. Luckily everyone was super fit and the horses were all released after the first ten minutes. We had so many people helping that it ran quite smoothly. Andi took a very unlucky fall early on so her horse came back and was very quickly released, as both were OK thank God. Hanna was our last rider and just flew around. Her horse Pinney North (Jones) was perfect and cooled out well just like the others.
Despite the ups and downs everyone had such good sportsmanship and I was so proud to be able to be apart of that team. All the horses looked great the next morning for the 7 AM jogs. All horses passed with flying colors and we were all on time to both jogs! I think we should have won Best Turned Out but they didn’t have that award this year.
Show Jumping looked huge but those guys made it look easy. Walking down the Rolex ramp with each horse was so surreal. Morgan jumped clear, Woodge rubbed the last, and Hanna jumped clear to win the individual silver!! Just to know that I had a small part in that team and to witness everyone’s elation and joy was a memory ill never forget. Molly jumped a great round and to see her last round together with Savannah IX was priceless. And then Connor, wow what a ride. I was so nervous but to see him come over that last jump and then running up the ramp after he won was another moment that I wish one day I can experience. Getting to lead Savannah IX into the awards ceremony was very special. It was her last victory gallop as she is retiring and I was thankful to be able to be a part of that. When all was said and done, grooming for such an amazing team was an experience I will never forget.
Until Next Time! Go Area II and Go Young Riders!
British Eventing’s “Eventing Cinema” Youtube challenge is quite possibly the greatest thing that’s ever hit the internet. Well, maybe not quite, but it has become an outstanding promotion for the sport of eventing. I used to think I had a wee bit of Hollywood director in me, but some of these videos would put Peter Jackson to shame.
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Kentucky Performance Products makes a fantastic electrolyte product and you can win a year’s supply simply by clicking the banner below and entering promo code EN2. Just click the banner below and fill out the form. Many thanks to KPP for joining the team and stay tuned for much more.
Karen O'Connor and Mr. Medicott at Barbury, photo by Samantha Clark. Karen was also a member of the 1988 Seoul Olympic Team, along with Phyllis Dawson.
The EN inbox has been stuffed full with goodies from Young Riders, the Olympics, and the expected Insanity in the Middle. We recently received two emails linking to articles about the Olympics: one reminiscing about the Olympics of 1988, and one looking ahead to London this week (both of these teams including Karen (Lende) O’Connor). Many thanks to Phyllis Dawson and Heather Lende for writing and sharing with us. Two great stories, and well worth the read. If you have something you’d like to share, send it to [email protected].
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Phyllis Dawson is a well-known and well-respected upper level eventer based in Virginia, and was a member of the 1988 US Olympic Eventing Team in Seoul, Korea. The team that year consisted of Bruce Davidson with Dr. Peaches, Karen Lende (O’Connor) and The Optimist, Ann Sutton (Taylor) with Tarzan, Phyllis with Albany II, and Jane Sleeper as the alternate rider.
On her website TeamWindchase.com, Phyllis recalls her Olympic Memories:
Competing in the Olympics is the experience of a lifetime. I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to ride in the 24th Olympic Games, in Seoul, Korea, in 1988.
I bought Albany II, my Olympic mount, in England in 1985. I was looking for a young horse with International level potential, and Bruce Davidson helped me find him. I quickly came to appreciate Albany’s wonderful personality; he was an affectionate and trusting horse who always tried his best one hundred percent at everything he did. We formed a special bond. Of course, I had dreamed of representing the United States in international competition all my life – but until Albany came into my life I never really believed I would get there.
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My instructions from Michael Paige were to try for a steady clear round, and not take chances with the time. The only specific instructions that he gave me that differed from my own plan was to take the long route at the combination at number 17 rather than the direct corner option; only one rider had tried the corner so far, and had a run-out.
We were about ready to walk into the Start Box – and there was a ‘hold’ on course. This is never good for the nerves, but I reminded myself that we had been held at the start at the selection trials at Kentucky, and that had worked out OK. (I later learned that as I went to the Start Box I was being televised live on prime time TV – when the hold occurred they cut to commercial, and then picked me back up when I was about half way around the course.)
Before long, the hold was over and I rode toward the Start Box. Even though I felt nervous, it was a positive tension. After years of competing, I had learned how to turn my nerves into a competitive edge. There was a moment, just before the start of the cross-country, of wonderful anticipation. “This is it. It is what we have trained for all these years. We have earned our way here, and all the preparation has been done. We have negotiated the Roads and Tracks, galloped the Steeplechase, and gotten through the Vet Box with no major mishaps. Everything I have worked for, everything I hope and dream, comes down to this, what Albany and I do in the next thirteen minutes. It is all laid out there before us.”
As I walk into the Start Box, I think that this has to be the most important day of my life. It is time for the countdown – I punch my stopwatch – 3-2-1-GO! We are off and running.
We are on course and galloping down to the first fence, a straightforward slanted palisade. The second is a large hedge; I can feel the toe of my boot against the brush, actually forcing my boot outward. Albany has found his rhythm quickly, and is galloping and jumping well. Next is a ski-ramp type road barrier, big but inviting, then around a turn and straight down a steep hill to the Bamboo Drop, a very upright vertical, the first big question on the course. Albs stays balanced and nips over it tidily.
The galloping lanes are narrow and twisty, lined the whole way with the blossoming cosmos. I can hear spectators calling out “Go, Phyllis” and Go USA!”
Read the entire article here. It is long, but a very enjoyable read.
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Fast-forwarding back to 2012, Heather Lende will be attending the Olympics this year. Heather is an Alaskan writer traveling with her mother-in-law, Joanne Lende, to see her sister-in-law Karen O’Connor compete, and is blogging about it from a kind of “outsider but insider view” for the Huffington Post.
From the Huffington Post, written by Heather Lende:
On My Way to London to See the Olympics With Grandma Joanne
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I have never been to the Olympic Games before and I am a reluctant traveler. I have taken one long trip in my life, from the east coast where I was born and raised, to Haines, Alaska where I have lived for 29 years. The good news is that my London Olympic companion is a seasoned traveler. My mother-in-law Joanne Lende (Grandma Joanne) has seen her daughter, Karen O’Connor, compete at two other Olympics in Seoul and Atlanta. This will be Karen’s fifth, and at 54, she is the oldest U.S. Olympian. “Does this mean I’m the oldest Olympic mother?” Grandma Joanne, who is 80, said, and asked me to book her a hair appointment before we leave. Which isn’t really necessary, since she looks like she’s at the Kentucky Derby when she’s sitting on my Alaskan deck.
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Since Grandma Joanne was at our house at the time, and since she wanted to go to see her daughter compete, and since it is so far from Alaska to the England, and since I am the one person in our family who is a little afraid of airplanes and travel, but am friends with my sister-in-law and would love in my heart to see her in what will probably be her last Olympics, even if my body is a tad anxious about it, I became Grandma Joanne’s traveling companion.
We quickly booked outrageously expensive bad seats from Alaska to Washington DC to London. We will be staying with Grandma Joanne’s friend Gill (pronounced Jill) in a seventeenth century thatched roofed cottage a short train ride from the action. The athletes each get two tickets to their event, and Joanne and I will have Karen’s. When Grandma Joanne asked Karen if we had tickets to the opening ceremonies, which she can’t wait to see, Karen asked her to look for two on e-Bay. Turns out the athletes only march in and out, but don’t get to attend the gala blast off.
“We’ll get in. It won’t be a problem,” the Olympic viewing veteran Grandma Joanne said. “In Atlanta where was plenty of room once we got there because the seats were so hot you couldn’t sit on them.” London is wet, so if we pack rain gear we’ll be fine.
Click here to read the entire article. We look forward to hearing more from Heather as her trip continues!
From our good friends Trish and Mike Ryan of Donegan Ryan Eventing–
Emer Bermingham meets up with the Irish Eventing Squad and their wonderful Irish Horses as they make their final preparations for the London Olympics. Kindly supported by Donegan Ryan Eventing and the Kyle Family. Mark Kyle, Joseph Murphy, Aoife Clarke, Camilla Speirs, Capt Geoff Curran and Michael Ryan.
Gold Medal Team Area V with coach Mike Huber explaining how to victory gallop
The CH-J* show jumping course was a nice, flowing course that rode quite big. It rewarded forward, balanced riding, and punished those who sat a bit passive. The well-decorated fences combined with the atmosphere of the big arena caused many horses to back off and get a little stuck. Given that horses are also a bit tired and flat after cross-country, there were many rails down in the one-star division. The first combination, a one-stride vertical to oxer, caused quite a few problems. Horse after horse came around the turn, sucked back from the bright rails, and caused the distance to ride very long (quite a few horses chipped in a second stride, including the winner Mystere du Val). Riders had to come very forward through the turn and ride positively into the combination. Similarly, a few horses added strides in the triple, and rails went flying. Overall, there was some good riding today, and many riders learned a lot about show jumping on Day 3 of a CCI.
Congratulations to Victoria New and Fleeceworks Mystere du Val of Area V for winning the CH-J* division. After being second in dressage, they looked super on cross-country yesterday, and survived show jumping with one rail down to take the gold. Area V took the team gold as well, followed by the Ontario team in second, and Area III for the bronze.
