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Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin

By on May 14, 2016 1:00 pm -

Elite racehorses are far and few between. Watching the Kentucky Derby, it’s hard to wrap your mind around the statistic that of the estimated 21,000+ Jockey Club registered Thoroughbreds that were born in the U.S. in 2013, only 20 of them — less than one horse in 1,000 — made it to Derby starting gate.

Not all Thoroughbreds are cut out for the sport, and even the best ones have expiration dates. Many thousands of horses get sent home from the track each year due to injury or lack of speed/competitiveness, and finding safe, happy second homes for them is a massive project. Thankfully there are multiple organizations out there that are dedicated to connecting OTTBs with second careers, and there are OTTB enthusiasts like you (judging from the fact that you’re reading this!) who are willing to give them a shot.

Here are three OTTBs that jumped out at us this week!

Photo via CANTER Arizona.

Photo via CANTER Arizona.

Who doesn’t love a classic, bay Thoroughbred?

Smokin’ Padre (Stormy Jack – Prizes Are Smokin, by Smokester) is a 2009, California-bred, 16.2-hand gelding. After 23 starts (including two firsts, two seconds and four thirds), “Joe” is looking for his next career.

A female owner is a must for this boy due to a rough history with former male owners. He is a flirt with the ladies, even giving kisses for peppermints. CANTER Arizona reports that he was extremely well behaved with their volunteers, standing patiently for his photos and showing off his lovely personality.

Joe is reportedly sound and has a clean round of x-rays (as of 3/12), having enjoyed excellent care by his connections. We are told he has no vices and no other known injuries.

Located at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Arizona.

View Smokin’ Padre on CANTER Arizona.

Photo via Finger Lakes Finest.

Photo via Finger Lakes Finest.

Joshan’s Giant (Frost Giant – Ogygian’s Louise, by Ogygian) is a 2011 liver chestnut mare with a solid, balanced, 15.2-hand build and caramel dark coat, with dapples just about to emerge.

The groom raved about what a kind, wonderful horse this stunning mare is — and when a horse becomes the favorite of a groom in a big racing stable, you know it is indeed a great horse to be around! “She’s a peach,” the groom kept saying as Finger Lakes Finest took down Joshan’s listing information.

Joshan’s is ready to move on to a new non-racing career, because after hanging out at the farm over the winter (where she was great in turnout with other horses), she is letting her trainers know that she just doesn’t want to run anymore. She is getting stressed in the paddock before races, although during morning training rides she is fine. An experienced rider is recommended for her, to help her settle and learn her new job. She is described as sound on old osselets, and wonderful to handle and work around on the ground.

She has a terrific pedigree for sport and jumping and showed lovely fluid light movement for her jog video. She appears bigger than she is, and FLF predicts that she will “ride big” — just like the mighty little horse who finished third at Rolex this year. So do not let her smaller wither height deter you from giving this gorgeous young mare with huge potential a serious look.

View Joshan’s Giant on Finger Lakes Finest.

Photo via CANTER Ohio.

Photo via CANTER Ohio.

Sneak a Cold Treat (Snuck In – Frozen Dinner, by Formal Dinner) is a 2005, 16.1-hand bay gelding and true racetrack warhorse! A multi-stakes winner, he’s retiring sound (x-rays available) with earnings of over $412K.

Don’t be deterred by his age, “Sneakers” has a lot of miles left on his tires. He is athletic, a graceful mover, and intelligent — CANTER noticed right away that Sneakers showed above-average thinking skills. He has a very busy mind, they tell us, and he tends to want to work things out right away. Around the farm Sneakers is an easy keeper, he is quiet, goes out in a group and has no vices.

Since he came off the track CANTER has spent a lot of time desensitizing Sneakers and giving him more people skills. What they found was a very trusting horse with a very sweet temperament; they feel he has the makings of a powerful riding partner and has the potential to compete through the Preliminary level.

He’ll do best with a patient, confident and knowledgeable advanced level rider who has prior experience with green horses. Sneakers has a lot to learn but will make it worth your while, as he has raw talent and the makings of a sport horse.

View Sneak a Cold Treat on CANTER Ohio.

Friday Video from World Equestrian Brands: Galway Downs in Slowmo

By on May 13, 2016 3:00 pm -

Watching horses perform in realtime, everything happens so fast that it’s hard to comprehend the countless turning cogs that ultimately produce a successful jump — or even just something as simple as a smooth transition from canter to trot on the flat.

The more experienced and educated your eye, the better your ability to deconstruct that blur of motion into an assembly line of actions that culminate in a specific result. But even the best eye in the world can’t physically slow down time in order to get a better look. A high-speed camera, however, can.

Ernest Woodward, a farrier in California, recently put together a video featuring high-speed footage from Galway Downs spliced together with film from other disciplines. Seeing the action slowed wayyyy down somehow makes it even more dramatic to watch! Thanks for sharing, Ernest!

Go Eventing.

Clark Montgomery’s Road to Rio Runs Through Event Rider Masters

By on May 13, 2016 11:30 am -
Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen at Luhmühlen. Photo by Leslie Wylie. Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen at Luhmühlen. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

The first leg of the new Event Rider Masters series starts tomorrow at the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials, with England-based Rio hopeful Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen representing the U.S. in the elite field of 40 top horses and riders.

Clark told EN in February that he is strategically not competing in a CCI event this spring and is instead opting to run CICs in his quest to make the U.S. Olympic team with Loughan Glen, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Jessica Montgomery, Kathryn Kraft, and Holly and William Becker.

Event Rider Masters is playing an integral role Clark’s road to Rio, as he’s competing in both the first leg at Chatsworth and the second leg at the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials on June 11-12, about a week before the U.S. Olympic team will be named.

Here’s Clark talking about why he’s targeting Event Rider Masters this spring:

Clark and Glen competed at Belton last month as their first key spring competition, finishing 17th after adding 7.6 time cross country time penalties and a rail to their dressage score of 42. You can watch a full three-phase video of Clark and Glen at Belton here:

With a string of wins in 2015 (Blenheim Park CIC3*, Somerford Park CIC2*, Belton CIC3*) and a sixth-place finish in the Luhmühlen CCI4* last June, Clark and Glen made a strong case for their inclusion on the team, and now they’re in the final stretch to make their bid through Event Rider Masters.

The series is intended “to be packaged specifically for television, with sophisticated commentary, innovative camera techniques and informed by statistical analysis of the kind used by other televised sports — intended to welcome and entertain new audiences as well as those already engaged with the sport.”

Even better, the entire competition will be streamed live for free on eventridermasters.tv. The CIC format spans two days, with dressage on the first day and show jumping held the next morning followed by cross country that afternoon. 

Fortunately for U.S. viewers who wish to tune in, Clark is in the latter half of the 40-entry CIC3* division. His dressage time is at 11:50 a.m. EST Saturday, with show jumping and cross country times to be posted on Saturday night.

Event Rider Masters is comprised of six legs: Chatsworth, May 14-15; Bramham, June 9-12; Barbury, July 7-10; Gatcombe Park, Aug. 5-7; Blair Castle, Aug. 25-28; and Blenheim, Sept. 8-11. A Masters Champion from will be crowned at the conclusion of Blenheim.

Not only is Event Rider Masters a boon to the sport’s accessibility but it also bolsters financial support for the riders. The series boasts a hearty prize money fund of £350,000, which provides £50,000 for each of the six classes and a £50,000 prize fund for the leading riders at the end of the series.

The field chasing that prize money at Chatsworth includes many of the names we saw at Badminton last week, including third-placed Gemma Tattersall. William Fox-Pitt, who was entered at Badminton but withdrew, will be making his first return to an FEI competition since suffering a head injury after a fall at Le Lion d’Angers last fall.

EquiRatings produced a full analysis of the star-studded field, and Event Rider Masters kindly allowed EN to publish the report in full at this link. Who do you think will take the win?

Check out EN’s feature on the series here and visit eventridermasters.tv for everything you need to know about this exciting new series. Scroll down to preview the course courtesy of CrossCountry App.

Chatsworth Horse Trials Links: Website, Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores, Live Stream

Event Rider Masters Links: Website, Calendar, Rankings, Horse & Rider Profiles

Thursday Video from Nupafeed: Get Excited for Event Rider Masters

By on May 12, 2016 3:00 pm -

Sure, WE know the sport of eventing is an super-sexy, action-packed rollercoaster thrill ride of elegance, guts and glory. But how do we communicate it to the masses?

Enter the newly launched Event Rider Master Series, intended “to be packaged specifically for television, with sophisticated commentary, innovative camera techniques and informed by statistical analysis of the kind used by other televised sports — intended to welcome and entertain new audiences as well as those already engaged with the sport.”

Even if I didn’t know squat about eventing, if I saw these promos I’d be ready to jump on board:

Event Rider Masters Promo – Set Your Heart on Fire from Event Rider Masters on Vimeo.

In addition to drumming up public interest, ERM is an exciting deal for riders as well, boasting a hearty prize money fund of £350,000, which provides £50,000 for each of the six classes and a £50,000 prize fund for the leading riders at the end of the series.

The ERM is comprised of six legs, the first of which takes place at Chatsworth this weekend, May 14-15 — we’ll have a full story on that, and U.S. entry Clark Montgomery, tomorrow. The other five legs: Bramham, June 9-12; Barbury, July 7-10; Gatcombe Park, Aug. 5-7; Blair Castle, Aug. 25-28; and Blenheim, Sept. 8-11. A Masters Champion from among the 40 entries will be crowned at the conclusion of Blenheim. 

Event Rider Masters: Website, Calendar, Rankings, Horse & Rider Profiles

Go Eventing.

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin

By on May 12, 2016 1:00 pm -
Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

This week’s edition of OTTB Wishlist is dedicated to Sir Rockstar, an off-track Thoroughbred who just completed Badminton at age 18 with his owner and rider Libby Head.

Long before he was a four-star horse, or an event horse at all, he was a racehorse by the name of Sir Rock. Bred in Kentucky by Rockamundo out of How Unusual by Great Sun, he had 16 starts and finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd once apiece for a total of $12,016 earnings.

He came off the track when he was four, his last race being in May of 2002, and after getting eliminated at his first Novice event a year later he pretty much sat around in a field until 2008, when he was purchased young rider Libby Head. The rest, as they say, was history. 

Take a chance on an OTTB and who knows where you could end up! Here are three that caught our eye this week.

Photo via CANTER California.

Photo via CANTER California.

Now You’re It (Run Away and Hide – See Alice, by Distorted Humor) is a California-bred 16-hand OTTB gelding with a California attitude.

He goes in a rubber snaffle and is happy to hack around on the buckle, with great brakes and absolutely no buck, bolt or spook. He’s been started in a retaining program and his riders say his fantastic mind makes him suitable for anyone — he’s easy to ride and work around and has gone in both English and western tack. He walks over poles great and shows interest in them, and has even popped over a couple small cross-rails. The accolades go on: leads, ties and bathes great, works well in a busy environment, could go in any direction, overall just a very nice, sweet, easy prospect. Come and get him!

View Now You’re It on CANTER California. 

Photo via New Vocations.

Photo via New Vocations.

Sharp Miss (Sharp Humor – The Classicshopper, by Regal Classic) is a forward-thinking, forward-moving 15.2-hand mare who is all business under saddle.

At four years old “Missy” has the whole world in front of her. Her trainers say she anticipates what you are going to ask her to do but responds well to being given direction. No lack of power here, and her great work ethic pairs well with her good brain. She just raced in mid-February so she still has that racing body shape which will change once she completely lets down. It took Missy 11 starts before she broke her maiden, so she was retired due to lack of competitiveness with no apparent injuries making her suitable for any discipline.

Missy’s trainers say she always has a pleasant expression on her face as you go to greet her and is a very sweet mare to work with. She tolerates being groomed, but loves the time she gets to spend with her person during the grooming session. She has no vices. Missy is just an easy mare to be around and to have in the barn, and now she’s ready to tackle a new career.

Located in Marysville, Ohio.

View Sharp Miss on New Vocations. 

Photo via CANTER Kentucky.

Photo via CANTER Kentucky.

Better By Far (Shaniko – Almanac, by Known Fact) is a gorgeous 2010, 16-hand mare who turns heads everywhere she goes.

Her impressive bloodlines include A.P Indy, Secretariat, Dixieland Band and Seattle Slew on her dam and sire’s side. She is well put together with no previous injuries. She is lightly raced (only 19 times to date) and is being retired because she is not competitive on the race track but could easily transition to a variety of disciplines with some additional training.

Better By Far is described as having a sweet disposition with no vices. She loves attention, is an easy keeper and would make for a lovely sport horse or broodmare prospect.

Located at Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky.

View Better By Far on CANTER Kentucky. 

Jersey Fresh CCI3* & CCI2* Cross Country Course Preview

By on May 12, 2016 11:00 am -
Screenshot via crosscountryapp.com. Screenshot via crosscountryapp.com.

The Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event cross-country track has been unveiled, and both the CCI3* and CCI2* courses are available for virtual viewing thanks to our friends at CrossCountry App.  

The John Williams-designed CCI3* course includes 40 jumping efforts over a distance of 5,700 meters, with an optimum time of 10 minutes on the nose. 

Technical Delegate Jonathan Clissold did the legwork of photographing each jump on the course and is hoping to do the CIC courses as well later today, so check back!

CCI3*

CCI2*

Jenni’s reporting live this week from Jersey Fresh, so keep it locked here for all the latest updates.

Go Eventing.

Jersey Fresh Links: Website, Schedule, Entries, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram

Breaking Down Dani Evans’ ‘Emergency Dismount’ at Badminton’s Vicarage Vee

By on May 10, 2016 11:00 am -
Photo by Shannon Brinkman. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Fence 21, the Vicarage Vee, was the big, bad wolf of Badminton 2016. A tall, solid rail spread diagonally across a yawning ditch, the iconic fence requires absolute bravery and accuracy in equal measure — and it leaves zero room for error.

Get there a little long or a little short, with a bit too much or not quite enough or not quite on your line, and things can go south, literally, in the blink of an eye.

I sat next to the Vee for two or three hours at this year’s event, running a remote camera for photographer Shannon Brinkman. She had it nestled down in the ditch and with the push of a button we were able to capture the horses jumping the fence, or otherwise, frame by frame.

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam showing us how it's done. Photo by Leslie Wylie for Shannon Brinkman.

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW show us how it’s done. Photo by Shannon Brinkman with assistance from Leslie Wylie.

The Vee is no new Badminton development. Horses and riders have been testing themselves against variations on its theme for decades. When I spoke with Mark Todd, the four-time Badminton winner who has probably been over it more times than anybody, his take was that the Vee is just the Vee: you either ride it right and get over it, or you end up in the ditch. Period.

At least at this year’s event there was a very reasonable option, an open ditch with a loop back to a skinny ditch-and-rail, which several riders took after noting the trouble it was causing. Even better, it was flagged as such that if a rider came around the turn and saw immediately that they were going to get there on a half-stride they had enough time to change their plan.

Nonetheless, the Vee proved to be one of the most influential obstacles on the course. In total, seven pairs had falls there — three falls of rider and four horse falls — and there were seven refusals. Several more got away by the seat of their pants. The U.S.’s Boyd Martin and Cracker Jack’s otherwise fantastic day came to an early end at the fence, while Buck Davidson and Libby Head both took the long route.

The falls I witnessed were all quite dramatic and crashing but remarkably resulted in no serious injuries, save a few broken hearts and bruised egos. Its forgiveness is owed in large part to the slope of the landing, reminiscent of something you might see out in the hunt field.

(Although, when we walked the course with fearless British foxhunter Lady Martha Sitwell, she seemed relatively “nonplussed” by most of the obstacles but finally broke character when we got to the Vee. “This is a typical example of eventers showing off,” she laughed. “Why would anyone want to do this? This is insane!”)

Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Spectators gawking at the troublesome Vee at the end of the day. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Off all the Vee mishaps this year, 24-year-old British eventer Dani Evans’ fall with Raphael II generated the most buzz, although the word “fall” doesn’t seem quite accurate as she managed to stick her landing quite well.

Dani, who was contesting her second Badminton this weekend on two horses, had mixed fortunes at the Vee. She made short work of the direct route with her first horse, Smart Time, but came to grief later in the day on Raphael II, on whom she was tied for sixth after dressage. Note: Both horse and rider walked away without injury, and Dani went on to complete show jumping on Smart Time the next today.

Dani-Evans (1)

CLICK the image if the GIF doesn’t play for you

A frame-by-frame breakdown from Shannon Brinkman:

Dani kindly shared with us an explanation of what happened:

The importance of instinct, the body’s capacity to react even before the mind comprehends what is going on, is a virtue in this sport and an absolute requirement at this level of competition.

While Dani admits that she wishes she’d done things differently on the approach, the way she reacts in the split-second to follow is nothing short of impressive.

Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Best of luck to Dani — we look forward to watching this young rider and Raphael get their “Vee for Vendetta” revenge next year!

Go Eventing.

#MMBHT: Website, Final Scores, EN’s Coverage, Instagram

#EventerProblems, Vol. 71: Tack Cleaning Party Edition

By on May 9, 2016 9:00 am -

A couple #EventerProblems editions ago the theme was “So. Much. Stuff.” All of which must get cleaned on a regular basis, hence the theme of the Vol. 71: “Tack Cleaning Party.” Everyone’s invited!

too much to clean #eventerproblems

A photo posted by Anna & Felix✨ (@featuring_felix) on

Wanna take a candlelit bath, sweetie? #barnlife #springcleaning #eventerproblems

A photo posted by Kelly Walker (@good_apple_eventing) on

When your shower doubles as a wash stall #eventerproblems

A photo posted by @rozephyr1 on

The best problems are #eventerproblems had a great time #xcschooling today!

A photo posted by @rozephyr1 on

Tack cleaning and packing #fml #eventerproblems #eventersofinstagram #eventingseason

A video posted by Courtenae Truswell (@courtenae.t) on

And now, for the rest of your #EventerProblems:

Naturally we had to roll in the only mud spot in the field #eventerproblems #rainraingoaway

A video posted by Tyler Held (@onthevergeeventing) on

#eventerproblems a girl must have her mascara, her Chapstick, watch, a jump pin, and her speaker hahahaha

A photo posted by Kelly Dearden (@klydearden) on

The judge is ⬇️ way baby Cole!!! @riley_mongeau #eventerproblems #eventing #babyhorse #eventingnation #teicheventing

A video posted by Caroline Teich (@teicheventing) on

Cold hosing my life away….. #theswampmonsterisdead #eventerproblems

A photo posted by Kate Drake (@katedrakevt) on

Lulu you’re so helpful… not. #barncatproblems #eventerproblems #theswampmonsterisdead

A photo posted by Kate Drake (@katedrakevt) on

Nitrox it’s not a buffet for you to eat off of!! #sillyhorse #eventerproblems #horsenation #goriding

A photo posted by Mary (@dressagemom) on

Oops. What final exam tomorrow? #eventerproblems #doversaddlery #accidentshappen

A photo posted by Tasia (@corgibutt401) on

I don’t know why I get so attached to gloves but I think its finally time to retire these #eventerproblems

A photo posted by Sarah Platshon (@s_platshon) on

Spring in denmark. still wearing My winter coat. #eventerproblems #eventingnation

A photo posted by Lea Ditte Marsk Lauridsen (@lea_lauridsen) on

Everybody needs a little #starbucks in the morning. #eventerproblems #nobelleamerican #ottb

A video posted by Sarah Johns (@mrssarahbush) on

PJ says, “it’s exhausting being a prelim horse!!” #eventerproblems #PayneEquestrian #caseofthemondays

A photo posted by Prairie StipeMaas (@prairiestm) on

Go Eventing.

Happy Times at the Badminton Final Press Conference

By on May 8, 2016 6:47 pm -

Being runner up is a bitter pill, but it’s much easier to swallow when you’re in a situation like we witnessed today at Badminton.

With Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW sweeping the win by a whopping nine points on the lowest Badminton finishing score EVER, you had to hand to the guy — he earned it, fair and square. And with a historic Rolex Grand Slam on the line, who coulda resist cheering him on?

On either side of Michael at the final press conference today: German teammate Andreas Ostholt, who finished 2nd with So Es It, and Great Britain’s Gemma Tattersall, who came third on Arctic Soul.

Andreas Ostholt, Michael Jung, Gemma Tattersall. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Andreas Ostholt, Michael Jung, Gemma Tattersall. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Andreas Ostholt, Michael Jung, Gemma Tattersall. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Andreas Ostholt, Michael Jung, Gemma Tattersall. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Andreas Ostholt, Michael Jung, Gemma Tattersall. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Andreas Ostholt, Michael Jung, Gemma Tattersall. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Aw, you guys.

Watch the final press conference: 

Badminton final top 25: 

Screen Shot 2016-05-08 at 4.29.33 PM

Screen Shot 2016-05-08 at 6.31.34 PM

Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Go Michael. Go Sam. Go Eventing!

#MMBHT: Website, Entry List,Show Jumping Order of Go,Schedule, Live Scores, Radio Badminton, Guide to Watching Live, Free Live Stream, FEI TV,EN’s Coverage, Instagram

 

Michael Jung Has Won the Rolex Grand Slam and All Is Right With the World

By on May 8, 2016 11:45 am -
Photo by Shannon Brinkman. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

With three consecutive four-star wins at Burghley, Rolex and Badminton, Michael Jung has officially penned a new chapter in the eventing history books.

“Ze Terminator” cantered into the big turf arena at Badminton today with two rails in hand, but it wasn’t enough to still the electricity in the air.

While Michael and La Biosthetique Sam seemed to have victory on lock going in, with eventing nothing is certain until the finish line has been crossed, and it was impossible not to hold one’s breath each time the horse pushed off into the air during today’s show jumping round.

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Fortunately for all of our blood pressures, Michael and Sam left both rails in their cups, jumping a double-clear round to clinch his double-victory.

As for Michael’s own blood pressure, he said in the press conference, “It’s not easy when you wait the whole day. But then when you sit on the horse, you work with the horse, you do the first jumps, and you feel how good the horse is … one jump after the next — that makes you more happy, more relaxed.”

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

It is only the second time eventing’s equivalent of racing’s Triple Crown has been achieved since instated in 2001, the first being Great Britain’s Pippa Funnell in 2003. Winners receive an extra $350,000 in addition to their winnings from each event. 

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Michael doesn’t come off as an athlete who lets success go to his head, and even in the immediate wake of his win he is kept things in perspective.

“I think as a rider, we know that there are always so many ups and downs,” he said. “I really enjoy this moment right now but I know it is not always the same, maybe the next time you have not as good a result.”

There are a dizzying number of variables that factor into a horse’s performance, and here at Badminton it all seemed to come together.

As for 16-year-old Sam’s future, he explained, “I always do a little bit of a joke that his last competition will be Tokyo. He’s in super form at this moment so we are not thinking about the finish, we are thinking about the future.”

Michael was all smiles today, but it is clearly not just in this sport to win trophies. “My job is my hobby,” he said. “I have so much fun working with the horses, bringing the young horses to the bigger levels, to the competitions.”

He went out of his way to thank his team for the hard work they put into his horses’ training and care, and of course he gave plenty of credit where credit is due: “I am very, very happy and very, very proud of my horses.”

Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Elsewhere on the scoreboard the top four stayed intact, with Clarke Johnstone and Jock Paget switching places to 5th and 6th.

The two remaining North Americans, the U.S.’s Libby Head with Sir Rockstar and England-based Canadian Kathryn Robinson with Let It Bee, both Badminton rookies, finished in 31st and 37th place respectively.

Kathryn jumped a beautiful, double-clear round on her 15-year-old German-bred Westphalian gelding. Kathryn was born in Canada, as her mother is Canadian and her father is British, but she grew up in England when her father inherited a farm in Northamptonshire.

Kathryn is an elegant rider on a talented horse and it’s great to see the stars align for them this weekend, especially with Olympic team selection heating up.

Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Libby had one down in the show jumping and a fantastic weekend overall — check out our post show jumping interview with here here.

Badminton final top 25: 

Screen Shot 2016-05-08 at 4.29.33 PM

Screen Shot 2016-05-08 at 6.31.34 PM

Go Michael. Go Sam. Go Eventing!

#MMBHT: Website, Entry List,Show Jumping Order of Go,Schedule, Live Scores, Radio Badminton, Guide to Watching Live, Free Live Stream, FEI TV,EN’s Coverage, Instagram

 

A Movie Script Ending for Badminton Rookies Libby Head and Sir Rockstar

By on May 8, 2016 10:01 am -
Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Shannon Brinkman. Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar have now fully completed the story arc of their forthcoming Lifetime Original Movie.

The plot: shy, teenage girl meets small, rogue, down-on-its-luck off-track Thoroughbred that nobody else wants to ride for several very legitimate reasons. There’s a montage of the girl getting bucked off, repeatedly, and close-up shots of a horrified dressage judge’s face when the pair comes jigging up the centerline sideways.

But over fences the horse is a natural talent, and the girl is undeterred by his antics. With the help of her trainer, a crusty, washed-up eventing version of The Black Stallion‘s Henry Dailey, she gradually earns the horse’s respect. Suggested soundtrack: the Rocky theme song.

To the astonishment of cranky old dressage judges everywhere they begin successfully advancing up the levels. Eight years into their hard-earned relationship, the girl and her horse are faced with the biggest challenge of their life: the legendary Badminton Horse Trials, where they’ll go toe-to-toe with the best eventers in the world.

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Because it wouldn’t be as powerful a story if they just waltzed overseas and blew Badminton off the map — the climax has to have a bit of suspense — they find theirselves near the bottom of the scoreboard after dressage, like the good old days. (Read more.)

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

The cross country course is a monster, and the girl’s terror grows as she watches it swallow up competitor after competitor. But with her trusty coach at her side, she turns her attention away from the carnage: she knows what she has to do.

They leave the start box and never look back. It’s the ride of their lives, and they come home clear, a big grin on her face as they clear the final jump. Thanks to their gutsy performance they make a huge jump up the leaderboard, from 73rd to 33rd place heading into show jumping. (Read more.)

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

On the final day of the competition, all eyes are them as the girl and her horse trot onto the world stage. Cue dramatic music as the camera pans the crowd, hovering for a moment on an American journalist in the stands who is nervously biting her nails.

The girl gazes out upon the sea of colorful jumps as the horse picks up a canter, his dark chocolate coat glistening beneath the bright sun. They begin leaping the fences, the 18-year-old horse looking spryer than ever.

No. 1, no. 2… then a gasp from the crowd as they lose a bit of rhythm, taking down the front rail of the no. 3 oxer.

Undeterred, the pair doubles down on their effort. The horse is now jumping his heart out; the girl’s determination is written all over her face.

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

There’s a tense split second when they have a rub, but the pole stays in its cups, and jump by jump they make their way around the course. As they cross the finish flags a huge cheer goes up from the crowd, almost as big as the smile on the girl’s face.

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Just before the credits roll there’s a teaser for the sequel. Working title: “Burghley 2016.”

Pretty great plot for a movie, right? By the way, it’s based on a true story.

We talk to Libby Head, who has just completed Badminton with her phenomenal partner Sir Rockstar, about her weekend and her plans for the future:

Libby’s crusty, washed-up trainer took a moment to recap the weekend with us well. (Just kidding! Kyle Carter is a well-groomed person who just ran a four-star himself last week at Rolex. We’re currently in negotiations with Robert Pattinson to play his role in the movie.)

Here’s Kyle after Libby’s ride:

Best of luck to Libby and Rocky as they embark upon the next chapter in their already epic story, which includes staying in Europe for the next six months and aiming for Burghley! See you guys in September.

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar, Badminton Horse Trial graduates, class of 2016. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar, Badminton Horse Trial graduates, class of 2016. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

End-of-the-day update: Libby and Rocky’s final score of 89.4 was good for 31st place overall. They also won a saddle from Worshipful Company of Saddlers for being the top placed 25 and under rider.

Go Libby. Go Rocky. Go Eventing.

#MMBHT: Website, Entry List, Show Jumping Order of Go, Schedule, Live Scores, Radio Badminton, Guide to Watching Live, Free Live Stream, FEI TV, EN’s Coverage, Instagram

La Biosthetique Sam and Sir Rockstar No Worse for Wear on Sunday Morning

By on May 8, 2016 5:10 am -
Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Michael Jung is officially on the homestretch of his Rolex Grand Slam quest. La Biosthetique Sam FBW was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at the Sunday inspection, with no apparent residue from yesterday’s blazing fast cross country run.

Heading into show jumping with a posh two rails in hand you’d be a fool to bet against this pair — although in the sport of eventing anything can happen, and the pressure Michael should not be underestimated.

As this floor-to-ceiling Badminton timeline mural in the media center reminds us (somewhat cruelly, as Michael has had to walk past it on his way to press conferences every day!), the show jumping has been this pair’s undoing here once before. We’ll be holding our breath until they’re safely through the finish flags.

You've got it this time, Michael! Photo by Leslie Wylie.

You’ve got it this time, Michael! Photo by Leslie Wylie.

You wouldn’t know that Libby Head’s Sir Rockstar, age 18, is the oldest horse on the roster watching him trot soundly down the strip this morning. It’s yet another testament to this horse’s toughness as well as the effort Libby puts into his care, and we can’t wait to watch them jump their hearts out this afternoon.

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

England-based North American Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee, who also enjoyed a clear cross country go in their Badminton debut, also passed the jog with flying colors. Speaking of which, does anyone else have a crush on her sapphire blue coat?

Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Great Britain’s Simon Grieve withdrew Cornacrew in the hold and Emily Gilruth, also of Great Britain, did not present Topwood Beau. Joseph Murphy’s mount Sportfield Othello and Clarke Johnstone’s Balmoral Sensation were held but passed upon reinspection.

A bit of excitement! Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

A bit of excitement at the jog. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Show jumping begins at 11:30 a.m. local time and we’ll be ringside, hopefully watching a bit of history in making! Forty-six horses will be starting — click here for the order of go.

Top 20 heading into show jumping:

Screen Shot 2016-05-07 at 5.17.10 PM

Go Michael and Sam! Go Libby! Go Kathryn! Go Eventing.

#MMBHT: Website, Entry List, Show Jumping Order of Go, Schedule, Live Scores, Radio Badminton, Guide to Watching Live, Free Live Stream, FEI TV, EN’s Coverage, Instagram

An Alternative Badminton Course Analysis with Lady Martha

By on May 7, 2016 7:00 pm -
"Cute attempt at a hedge." Photo by Leslie Wylie.

As an intrepid British foxhunter Lady Martha Sitwell has jumped plenty of “meaty” fences in her life — oftentimes sidesaddle to boot.

Photo by Viki Ross (www.vikirossphotography.co.uk)

Photo by Viki Ross (www.vikirossphotography.co.uk)

Photo by Viki Ross (www.vikirossphotography.co.uk)

Photo by Viki Ross (www.vikirossphotography.co.uk)

There’s plenty of beef on the cross country menu at Badminton, so I thought it might be an interesting thought experiment to follow her around the course and get an intrepid foxhunter’s perspective on how one should ride the jumps.

As it turns out, foxhunters and eventers are both crazy in their own special ways.

Let’s walk.

Thank you for the illuminating analysis, Martha!

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Go Lady Martha. Go Eventing.

#MMBHT: Website, Entry List,Ride Times, Schedule, Live Scores, Radio Badminton, Guide to Watching Live, FEI TV, EN’s Coverage, Instagram

5 Very Important Questions with Sir Mark Todd, by Lady Martha

By on May 7, 2016 4:08 pm -
That bike's a little big for you, eh Toddy? Photo by Leslie Wylie. That bike's a little big for you, eh Toddy? Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Lady Martha Sitwell, whom you may remember as the champagne-swilling foxhunting madwoman from our “Meeting Martha” series earlier this year, is here with us at Badminton doing a little “color commentary” for EN.

Leslie and Martha, reunited.

The Leslie and Martha show.

For starters, she offered to interview her dear friend, Mark Todd, a four-time Badminton winner who is currently sitting in fourth place after cross country with Leonidas II.

It’s not surprising that they’re mates as they have quite a lot in common, such as their shared talent for riding with just one stirrup: She’s a sidesaddle rider, and he legendarily rode two-thirds of the 1995 Badders course with only one stirrup. (The horse he was riding, Bertie Blunt, was unfortunately eliminated at the jog the next day, but the pair came back the next year and won the whole shebang.)

But if you think she’s about to ask him something normal, like, I don’t know, how his cross-country ride went today or what his thoughts on show jumping tomorrow, you’d be very, very mistaken.

Take it away, Martha:

Go Eventing.

#MMBHT: Website, Entry List,Ride Times, Schedule, Live Scores, Radio Badminton, Guide to Watching Live, FEI TV, EN’s Coverage, Instagram

Michael Jung Widens Lead After Dramatic Badminton Cross Country Day

By on May 7, 2016 1:25 pm -
Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW. Photo by Shannon Brinkman. Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Watching Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW mic-drop a double-clear Badminton cross country round today, we may well have been watching history in the making.

All will be revealed in time, of course, but Michael and Sam couldn’t be in a better position at the conclusion of today’s competition. The pair has two rails in hand heading into show jumping, a cushion Michael is surely grateful for with the Rolex Grand Slam at stake.

Is This Seat Taken? Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Is This Seat Taken? Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Their performance today looked like a romp in the park and apparently felt like one, too. “It was very, very easy,” Michael reflected. “He gave me a very, very good feeling. I was proud of him.”

Michael said that when he walked the course he had options in his head, should a variable like footing or weather change. But, he says, “In the end for me and my horse it was really easy going.”

Reassuring to see that they at least broke a sweat. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Reassuring to see that they at least broke a sweat. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW at the Vicarage Vee. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW at the Vicarage Vee. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

You can watch his full post-cross country interview below:

Not everyone had such an effortless go-round. Today’s course showed no mercy toward competitors and the leaderboard looks dramatically different now than it did this time yesterday.

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Emily King and Brookleigh, who were 2nd after dressage, seemed to be having a textbook round and everyone was gutted to see them have a fall just two fences from home. In their absence, previously 3rd Andreas Osholt and So Is Et moved into 2nd on a clear round with 5.6 time penalties.

“I really enjoyed my my ride,” Andreas said. “I had a hairy moment at the Vicarage Vee — I was on top and saying, ‘Not today! Not today!’ Luckily, I managed it. I am getting old but not too old to stay on the horse!”

Great Britain’s Gemma Tattersall and Arctic Soul made a massive jump up the scoreboard from 16th to 3rd thanks to one of 10 double-clear rounds we saw today.

Gemma said it was the perfect course for her full-blood Thoroughbred. “He went out of the start box like a shotgun and jumped the first fences like he was at Cheltenham,” she said. “He’s just got the most incredible speed and stamina.”

Gemma was one of the last rides of the day but tried not to get rattled by the problems happening on course. “Everyone kept saying, ‘Are you going to go straight at the Vicarage Vee?’ and I said, ‘Yes, why?’ It’s been a very long day today but I just kept trying to focus on the fact that’s he’s s an incredible cross country horse.”

Rounding out the top five are two Kiwis: Mark Todd and Leonidas II, who moved from 17th to 4th, and Jonathan Paget and Clifton Lush, who moved from 19th to 5th.

Today was 100% classic Badminton, a true cross country test that made dressage seem like a distant memory. “Survival of the fittest” was the sorting hat of the day, with run-and-jump virtuosos Libby Head and Sir Rockstar being among the beneficiaries.

Despite it being just their second four-star, the pair was in absolute command of Badminton’s gauntlet and came home clear. You can check out our post-ride interview with her here.

Libby Head and Sir Rock Star. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Libby Head and Sir Rock Star. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Libby and “Rocky” are, unfortunately, the last Americans standing at the conclusion of today’s competition. The Apprentice couldn’t have been in better hands than those of Buck Davidson; unfortunately, it just wasn’t their day.

“Dirk gave me his all today,” Buck posted on his Facebook page. “He jumped best ever. Woodge and Leo were awesome. Sorry for the Martins. I felt like Dirk was getting past an acceptable point of tiredness. He is totally fine. Libby Head was awesome today. Glad that Boyd is fine after his tough fall. No excuses. We tried and it didn’t come off. It’s Derby day in the USA too bad we didn’t make it Badminton Day.”

After taking the long route at the Vicarage Vee (successfully, excepting a little hesitation to gallop across the bridge afterward!) they had a glance off at fence #23, Shogun Hollow, and then pulled up just short of home at fence #28, Alexander’s Silver Birch.

Buck Davidson and The Apprentice. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Buck Davidson and The Apprentice. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Boyd Martin and Cracker Jack looked on-point…

Buck Davidson and The Apprentice. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Boyd Martin and Cracker Jack. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

…but sadly were among the many who fell victim to the Vicarage Vee.

“I came around the corner and rode it to my plan, but I don’t think I gave Crackers a good enough chance to read the fence,” Boyd said. “In the last stride or two, it seemed like he didn’t quite understand it and then he panicked a bit at the end.”

“It was a tough fence, and if I had my time over again I would have steadied him more on the turn to give him time to read the fence a bit further out. I made the mistake of being too gung ho through the turn, and he didn’t understand it.”

Also, he fell on his “good side” thankfully, so no concerns about the collarbone — just a bit stiff and sore. Crackers walked away fine as well. “To be quite honest, it’s a bitter pill to swallow when you go overseas to compete and come up short. Today that’s what happened and it stings,” Boyd said.

Cracker Jack will be staying in Europe in the care of Jock Paget while Boyd returns to the U.S. to compete at Jersey Fresh. Boyd says that Luhmühlen is being considered as a re-route option next month.

“I’d like to thank the USEF and Land Rover for partially funding this trip, and Lucy Boynton for supporting us through the highs and lows. Kristin Marella, Crackers’ groom for the trip, has been there every step of the way for Crackers.”

Boyd Martin and Cracker Jack. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Boyd Martin and Cracker Jack. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

One more North American combination, England-based Canadian Kathryn Robinson and Let It Be, came home clear with 53.2 time. They took the option at the Vicarage Vee and had a careful, confidence building go-round. This is their first crack at Badminton and it’s great to see them have a successful go-round under their belt!

Kathryn Robinson and Let It Be. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Kathryn Robinson and Let It Be. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Several fences proved to be quite influential on course today, notably the Vicarage Vee and the Mirage Pond. In total, seven pairs had falls at fence 21, the Vicarage Vee — three falls of rider and four horse falls. We saw a total of seven refusals at the Vee.

The Mirage Pond, while not unseating anyone enough to land them in the pond, caused a lot of refusals, much to the surprise of many. Commentators surmised that perhaps the ‘surprise’ factor of the water following the first house had an effect. Other refusals at the B element could be chalked up to an awkward jump out of the water and a resulting lack of impulsion.

Lara de Liederkerke-Meier and Ducati vd Overdam (BEL). Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Lara de Liederkerke-Meier and Ducati vd Overdam (BEL). Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

In all, we saw eight refusals and four eliminations on refusals or retirements at the Mirage Pond, fairly mixed between the A and B elements.

As far as falls are concerned, there were seven horse falls and four rider falls. Two of the horse falls came at the penultimate question, the Rolex Crossing, which was an angled two stride of big logs.

75 combinations left the start box today, with 48 completing for a percentage of 64%. Of those who completed, 64% came home sans jump penalties and 21% made it inside the time.

Here’s a look at some great moments from a dramatic day:

Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Top 20 after cross country: 

Screen Shot 2016-05-07 at 5.17.10 PM

Much more to come!

#MMBHT: Website, Entry List,Ride Times, Schedule, Live Scores, Radio Badminton, Guide to Watching Live, FEI TV, EN’s Coverage, Instagram

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar Rock ‘n’ Roll Around Badminton Cross Country

By on May 7, 2016 9:59 am -
Libby Head and Sir Rock Star. Photo by Shannon Brinkman. Libby Head and Sir Rock Star. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Libby Head tried to watch the Badminton cross country live stream this morning, but when two of the first three rides went south, literally, into the gaping Vicarage Vee, she wisely turned her attention elsewhere.

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Two short hours later she and her 18-year-old OTTB Sir Rockstar left the startbox and never looked back. Running and jumping is where Rocky shines brightest, and while the pair did end up taking the conservative option at the Vee, they looked absolutely solid out there today, picking up 27.6 time but coming home clear.

 

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Giuseppe Della Chiesa’s tough track has taken its toll on a number of competitors and what an incredible feat it is that they got the job done with only one other four-star under their belt. And does any pair out there today have a better story?

She recaps her ride:

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Go Libby and Rocky.

#MMBHT: Website, Entry List,Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores, Radio Badminton, Free Live Stream, Guide to Watching Live, FEI TV, EN’s Coverage,Instagram

Walk the Badminton Cross Country Course with Harry Meade

By on May 7, 2016 5:12 am -

“If you’re looking for the small fence, you’re in wrong place,” Buck Davidson said yesterday of the cross country course here at Badminton Horse Trials.

The 2016 track is as proper as ever, a big, beefy gauntlet that will keep riders on their toes from fence #1 to 33. All the old Badminton standards like the Vicarage Vee and Huntsmans Close are on the menu…

Fence #21: The Vicarage Vee. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Fence #21AB: The Vicarage Vee. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

… as well as some new additions to the course, most notably a new pond.

View a gallery of the fences here.

In this video Harry Meade walks us all the way around the course with Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes:

This will be Giuseppe Della Chiesa’s third year designing the course. He came out guns blazing in 2014, manifest in a notoriously difficult “survival of the fittest” sort of course, then backpedaled with a too-soft course in 2015.

The hope for 2016 is that he’ll have struck a balance between the two extremes. You can listen to an interview with Giuseppe explaining his approach to this year’s course here.

The first pair of the day, Great Britain’s Oliver Townend and Armada, leave the startbox at 11:30 a.m. local time.

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Photo by Leslie Wylie.Go Eventing!

Best of luck to all of today’s competitors! Go Eventing.

#MMBHT: Website, Entry List,Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores, Radio Badminton, Free Live Stream, Guide to Watching Live, FEI TV, EN’s Coverage,Instagram

 

Buck Davidson and Boyd Martin Reflect on Badminton Dressage

By on May 6, 2016 3:10 pm -

Buck Davidson and Boyd Martin boast many accolades between the two of them but both are relative rookies to the Badminton game.

This will be Buck Davidson’s second crack at Badminton, his debut being in 2011 with Ballynoe Castle RM with whom he finished 21st. This go-round he’s riding The Apprentice, a 12-year-old, 16.3-hand Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Sherrie Martin.

The pair scored a 45.7, good for 21st place.

Boyd Martin and The Apprentice. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Sherrie Martin’s The Apprentice, better known as Dirk. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.


Boyd Martin and The Apprentice. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Buck Davidson and The Apprentice. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.


Boyd Martin and The Apprentice. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

The Apprentice with super groom Woodge Fulton. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVJ1fCE4Mf8

Boyd Martin and Cracker Jack earned a 51.0 and are tied for 49th place. This is Boyd’s first Badminton, somehow, his partner being Lucy Boynton Lie’s 16.2-hand Thoroughbred gelding Cracker Jack. 

Boyd Martin and Cracker Jack. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Boyd Martin and Cracker Jack. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.


Boyd Martin and Cracker Jack. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Boyd Martin and Cracker Jack. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.


Boyd Martin and Cracker Jack. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Boyd Martin and Cracker Jack. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.


Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Super groom Kristen Merala with Cracker Jack. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ct8eIrVDhw

Looking forward to watching these horses jump up the leaderboard tomorrow, as both are tremendously talented jumpers and tough as nails.

Go Eventing.

#MMBHT: Website, Entry List, Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores, Radio Badminton, Free Live Stream, Guide to Watching Live, FEI TV, EN’s Coverage,Instagram

Emily King on Michael Jung’s Heels, Again, at Conclusion of Badminton Dressage

By on May 6, 2016 2:26 pm -
Emily King and Brookleigh. Photo by Shannon Brinkman. Emily King and Brookleigh. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Emily King has come out at the four-star level with guns blazing, and at Badminton her bulls-eye is directed once again at one of the top — if not the best — eventers in the world: Michael Jung.

In a near repeat of her debut at the French four-star Pau last fall, the 20-year-old daughter of British eventing legend Mary King is nipping at Michael’s heels once again, having thrown down the second-best dressage score of Badminton 2016, a 36.8, 2.4 points behind Michael and La Biosthetique Sam FBW.

At Pau she was third after dressage behind Michael’s two horses, fischerRocana and Halunke FBW. She jumped a double-clear cross country and had one rail down to finish fourth at the event.

IMG_27061-640x480

Emily King’s thoughts on Chinch at Pau, who after his world travels is beginning to look a bit worse for the wear: “He could use a shave, perhaps. And where is his nose?”

Today she shaved 1.5 points off her Pau dressage score, 38.3, to become the closest obstacle between Michael and his Rolex Grand Slam.

“I’m absolutely over the moon,” Emily said at today’s press conference. “Brook was very good. I knew he was capable of doing such a good test but he’s never been in such a big arena, a big atmosphere as here at Badminton.”

If Emily is at all nervous about striking out around the huge course tomorrow, you wouldn’t have been able to tell from her cool, positive demeanor while sitting on the hot seat with Michael and 3rd-placed Andreas Ostholt today.

“I came here and I wanted to do very well,” she said. “I’m a very competitive person and since we went to Pau and had a good result I knew he was capable of doing very well here.”

Emily King after her dressage ride. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Emily King after her dressage ride. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

She sounds confident about tackling tomorrow’s course. “I like the look of the course,” she said. “It’s a nice, big, bold attacking course but still with lots of accuracy questions.”

“I hope that Brook responds well to the bigger track,” she said. “If I ride it well and attack it I hope we’ll have a good result.”

Emily took over the ride on Brook, a 14-year-old German-bred gelding owned by Jane Del Missie, from Clayton Fredericks, who developed him through the CIC3* level, in 2012.

Their partnership solidified last year, during which the pair came third in the Chatsworth CIC3*, fifth in the Bramham under-25 CCI3* and second in the Ballendenisk CIC3*, culminating in their 4th place finish at Pau. They’ve done one CIC3* this year at Burnham Market, where they placed 10th.

Emily and Brook’s performance bumped Germany’s Andreas Ostholt and So Is Et to third (36.8) and yesterday’s 3rd placed pair Francis Whittington and Hasty Imp to 4th.

A proud mum! Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

A proud mum! Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

On the U.S. front, Buck Davidson and The Apprentice scored a 45.7, good for 21st place.

Boyd Martin and Cracker Jack earned a 50.5 and are tied for 49th place.

Check back for post-test interviews with these riders soon!

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar will head into cross country in 73rd place on a score of 57.8.

Screen Shot 2016-05-06 at 5.19.42 PMGo Eventing.

#MMBHT: Website, Entry List,Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores, Radio Badminton, Free Live Stream, Guide to Watching Live, FEI TV, EN’s Coverage,Instagram

 

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin

By on May 6, 2016 1:00 pm -

Just like last week, in honor of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event we’re once again highlighting off-track Thoroughbreds currently available for adoption at Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center in Lexington.

Maker’s Mark is a non-profit dedicated to matching former racehorses to new homes and suitable second careers. It is both a re-schooling facility and an adoption center, open to the public year-round. Put on your must-visit list for Rolex next year!

Check out a full list of MMSC Thoroughbreds available for adoption here. These are three that caught our eye.

Photo via Maker's Mark Secretariat Center.

Photo via Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

Golden Boot (Medaglia d’Oro – High Button Shoes, by Carson City) is a 16.1hh, 2012 gelding who most definitely has a golden “turn of foot”!

This expression is accorded to only the fleetest of horses and the loftiest of ballerinas because their steps are so quick and graceful. A brilliant mover that also has a brilliant mind, “Boots” is agile, athletic, clever and self-assured. This horse has the ability to be spectacular — most certainly in dressage and perhaps in jumping as well. Like any great star, Boots will need careful handling in order to shine his brightest. Beautiful to look at, fun to be around, breath-taking to watch, this horse is a jewel.

View Golden Boot on Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

--Darren_102115_DSC_0228+cc

Photo via Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

In the market for Mr. Right? Now that the Thoroughbred Makeover is over, the jewel of the MMSC Dream Team comprised of international eventer Dorothy Crowell and famous jockey Rosie Napravnik, Dare Me (Johannesburg — Oatsee, by Unbridled), is available for adoption!

Here’s what Dorothy had to say about the 16.2-hand, 2010 gelding: “His potential as an event horse is limitless. His personality is amazingly mature for such a young horse. His athleticism can take you from a Cadillac ride to a Formula One racecar in seconds — the Cadillac for dressage, the Formula One for cross country, and the perfect mixture of the two for show jumping.”

Click here to see Dare Me from the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

Photo via Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

Photo via Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

Suspension much? Icefield (Street Cry (IRE) – Burgundy Ice, by Storm Cat) is a 15.3-hand, 4-year-old gelding with springs on his feet. He is a young horse just coming into himself and just discovering his talent. His trainers say he has an analytical brain and super work ethic: “I don’t know” is the only “no” in his vocabulary and he tries hard to answer every question correctly. He’s been started over fences and already has an automatic lead change from the right to the left, with the other side not far behind. With his athletic body and twinkling personality, the sky is the limit for this guy!

Located in Kentucky.

Click here to see Icefield at the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

Badminton Cross Country State-of-the-Ground Address

By on May 6, 2016 11:48 am -
Thanks for nothing (so far), wellies! Flip-flops would have taken up a lot less room in my travel bag. Photo by Leslie Wylie. Thanks for nothing (so far), wellies! Flip-flops would have taken up a lot less room in my travel bag. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Badminton 2016 has been blessed with some astonishingly spectacular weather thus far. The skies are are a vivid cornflower blue, tie-dyed with a few cottony clouds, and the temperature at the moment is a balmy 71 degrees.

I was not expecting this.

Perhaps still traumatized by the sogginess of Rolex last week…

Photo submitted by Susannah Lewis.

Photo submitted by Susannah Lewis.

…I stuffed my Badminton suitcase full of rain gear and sweaters, which have yet to see the (bright!) light of day.

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Come Saturday, however, there’s a chance my wellies could be earning their keep. I hear the footing gets pretty torn up in front of the cross country beer vendors. What about the actual jumps?

It’s hard to say. With the sun smiling down on us for the past few days and the forecast for cross-country day looking fairly high and dry …

Screen Shot 2016-05-06 at 1.49.46 PM

Screenshot for Badminton from weather.com.

… it’s easy to forget the long, wet spring that British eventers have endured — and it takes more than a few days of glorious, glorious sunshine to mop up that kind of damp.

While the surface layer has dried out nicely over the past couple days the ground beneath still feels a big “juicy” in places, as the announcer so viscerally put it at the jog on Wednesday, and the question of how it may or may not impact cross-country has been a hot topic of ever-changing discussion. Even if not wet-wet, soft ground could tire horses, especially if their riders underestimate it and come out guns blazing, or get chewed up as the day goes on. 

Is this Badminton’s best footing ever or a wolf in sheep’s clothing? Ultimately, it’s a question without a black-and-white answer.

Some, like dressage leader Michael Jung, express confidence. “On the track the ground looks nearly perfect,” he said during Thursday’s press conference. “I think if we have a little more dry day we will have wonderful ground on Saturday.”

Boyd Martin described it as a refreshing change. “The footing is great,” he said. “In America every event we’ve done this year has had absolutely horrid footing, so it’s awesome to be walking around on footing that has a bit of spring to it.”

Buck Davidson is taking a pragmatic, respectful approach.

“My dad said when I first came here that you have to be careful — when it seems like it’s going to be fast going it’s always the hardest on the horses,” Buck said. “It’s always a bit easier in the rain. Hugh Thomas said same thing at the briefing.”

“It just depends on the horse,” he said. “Some horses will like this ground, some horses like it softer, some like it harder, and you can’t really worry about that. I just worry about what’s in front of me, what’s going on underneath me, and do the best I can.”

One truth we can all take comfort in: It could always be much, much worse!

Badminton has endured a long and complicated relationship with the weather — rain in particular. May is one of South Gloucestershire’s wettest months and excessive precipitation has wreaked havoc on the event on multiple occasions since its inception in 1949.

For the event’s first 10 years running dressage and show jumping were held on the old cricket grounds in front of Badminton House. In 1959, “after torrential rain turned the park into a sea of mud,” the arenas and trade stands were relocated to their present positions.

Badminton has historically rewarded riders with sticky britches and horses with an ability to shift into four-wheel drive when the going gets boggy. But on a handful of occasions, conditions were deemed too waterlogged for even the toughest mudders. Inclement weather has caused the cancellation of the event on four occasions: 1966, 1975, 1987 and, most recently, in 2012.

In 1963 Badminton was downgraded to a one-day event on account of “terrible weather” in the months leading up to the event. This film reel from moving picture archive collection British Pathé shows spectators’ cars being towed out by tractors and a cross country course that looks downright treacherous.

Of 13 starters that year only six horses finished and, in general, it wasn’t a pretty sight. Exhibit A: the horse/rider combination that fell into a muddy ditch on the backside of the jump, at which point the narrator triumphantly reports: “One fall doesn’t daunt a rider of the Colonel’s caliber, so he remounted!”

Oh dear.

One needn’t look too far back in the rear view to identify another Badminton that produced similar results. At the 2014 horse trials, wet and windy conditions contributed to a cross country day marked by thrills, spills … and more spills. Of 77 starters only 35 completed, with 24 going clear and nobody making the time.

Australian Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh moved up from 25th place after dressage to win the event thanks to the scrappy mare’s heroic jumping efforts. The pair is back again this year and are sitting much higher up the leaderboard this go around: 11th at the moment, with just three horses still to go.

Here’s to a safe, dry and partly sunny Badminton 2016! Keep it locked on Eventing Nation for live reports from all the action.

#MMBHT: Website, Entry List,Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores, Radio Badminton, Free Live Stream, Guide to Watching Live, FEI TV, EN’s Coverage,Instagram

The Land Before Badminton Live Streams

By on May 6, 2016 8:24 am -
Screenshot from a vintage Badminton newsreel uploaded by British Pathé. Screenshot from a vintage Badminton newsreel uploaded by British Pathé.

These days there are a number of ways to stay abreast of the Badminton action as it unfolds: live streams, radio, social media, live scores, live blogs, online publications, and even good-old fashioned television. We highly recommend this website called Eventing Nation — perhaps you’ve heard of it.

Badminton's bustling media center. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Badminton’s bustling media center. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Back in the day, however, coverage was a bit rougher around the edges.

Check out these six fascinating vintage Badminton newsreels, uploaded by the moving picture archive collection British Pathé. Badminton Horse Trials made the news for many years running, as evidenced by the following videos which cheerfully capture the spirit of the sport. Not much in the way of context is available for them so — I’m looking at you, eventing history buffs! — if you have any insight into their back stories, please share in the comments below.

1954

1957

1958

1964

1965

1968

Learn more about the British Pathé project here or check out the new YouTube collection here — there’s a lot more Badminton footage where that came from, much of it bits and pieces that didn’t make it into the broadcast. And keep it locked on EN for complete coverage of Badminton 2016!

#MMBHT: Website, Entry List,Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores, Radio Badminton, Free Live Stream, Guide to Watching Live, FEI TV, EN’s Coverage,Instagram

Michael Jung Reveals ‘Top Secret’ Training Regimen at Badminton Press Conference

By on May 5, 2016 6:30 pm -

Just kidding! That was 100% clickbait.

In fact, one of the highlights of today’s Badminton press conference was Michael Jung straight up laughing when a reporter asked him to detail his horse’s preparations in the lead-up to the event: “Top secret,” he said.

Good answer, Michael. A magician never reveals his secrets.

Newp, sorry. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Newp, sorry. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

On less classified fronts, here are comments from the top three riders after day one dressage:

Top 15 after the first day of Badminton dressage: 

Screen Shot 2016-05-05 at 5.25.40 PM

The competition resumes tomorrow with Great Britain’s Ben Hobday and Mulrys Error at 9:30 local time.

The remainder of our American contingent, Buck Davidson with The Apprentice and Boyd Martin with Cracker Jack, go in the afternoon at 2:40 and 3:56 p.m. local time respectively.

Until then… Go Eventing.

#MMBHT: Website, Entry List,Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores, Radio Badminton, Free Live Stream, Guide to Watching Live, FEI TV, EN’s Coverage, Instagram