Great Britain's Pippa Funnel and Billy the Biz. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
I warned you guys I was on a music video making kick since I discovered the Triller app about four days ago, and now I’m making good on my threat.
Here’s presenting a mashup of Boekelo CCIO3* cross-country video mixed to The Weeknd’s irresistibly addictive hit “Can’t Feel My Face.” It just felt right. Enjoy!
If you’re just tuning in, you can catch up on all of today’s cross-country action via Leslie Threlkeld’s play-by-play live updates or my boots-on-the-ground wrap-up.
We’re all eagerly awaiting the face-melt conclusion of Boekelo 2015 tomorrow.
The final horse inspection takes place Sunday morning at 9 a.m. Netherlandia time, with show jumping to begin at 11 a.m.
Getting the job done, and quickly, was the order of the day here at the Boekelo CCIO3*. Honest horses and scrappy riders came out on top with time playing the secondary sorting hat. There were only four double-clear rounds out of 85 starters, owing to the twisty, at-times-claustrophobic track.
Exhibit A: Lauren Kieffer and Landmark Monte Carlo‘s massive leap up the score board from 46th after dressage into the top 10 thanks to a swift, efficient cross-country round. Lauren told us yesterday that while “Patrick” may not have the flamboyant razzle-dazzle it takes to win in this stacked sandbox, he is the “broke-est” horse she’s ever ridden and that came in handy today.
The track was a constant test of “Are you listening? Are you still listening? What about now?” and as predicted, Patrick responded with an enthusiastic “yes ma’am,” adding only 1.2 time penalties to his dressage score of 48.6.
Can we all just take a moment to appreciate the fact that there was a bounce house full of squealing kids just a few meters before this fence? Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Our next best-placed American pair Matt Brown and Super Socks BCF moved from 28th to 14th, booking it around the course to finish with only 5.2 penalties. They had a foot-perfect pass where I saw them at the first water complex, making a quick getaway on the other side.
Matt Brown and Supersocks BCF. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Matt Brown and Supersocks BCF. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Matt Brown and Supersocks BCF. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous were the U.S.’s second pair out on course and finished as our third best-placed pair, picking up 9.6 time penalties to head into show jumping in 24th position.
The footing this morning was a different story from what it was this afternoon — we were all a bit worried when there seemed to be so much trouble out on course early on. Later on, thankfully, the sun came out and sucked a lot of the wet out of the turf, but running on the slick ground may have slowed them down slightly.
Leslie Threlkeld, a true EN hero, got up at 4 in the morning to post updates from the livestream. Since I was out on course bouncing around and snapping photos I only saw a jump or two at a time, and the majority of the announcing was in Dutch, so it was tough to get a clear picture of what was going on. Of Marilyn and “Kitty,” Leslie summed up their go as “one heck of a ride.”
Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Jon Holling and Downtown Harrison are the next U.S. pair down the standings, finishing with 13.2 time for 30th place heading into show jumping. Leslie T. says they had a sticky moment at the first water, and that he was “honest to jump the brush after stumbling up the bank.” He looked fantastic where I saw him late on the course, at a gigantic ditch and wall, and Jon must be over the moon that he has a horse with so much talent and drive.
Jon Holling and Downtown Harrison. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Buck and his team ride Copper Beach, who currently sit in 36th, were the third pair out on course and were very much trailblazing their way around. Buck had to work for it through the first water and took the long route at the second but they came home clear, looking like stars the rest of the way. Today was a great result for this promising partnership and they’re surely a better team for the experience.
Buck Davidson and Copper Beach. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Buck Davidson and Copper Beach. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Liz Halliday-Sharp and HHS Cooley picked up 23.2 time to finish in 41th place.
Liz Halliday-Sharp and HHS Cooley. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Marilyn Little and RF Quarterman picked up 11.6 time to move into 42nd place.
Marilyn Little’s RF Quarterman looking quite proud of himself after his clear round. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus picked up 15.2 time for 43rd place.
Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Buck Davidson and Carlevo had 26.4 time for 44th place.
Buck Davidson and Carlevo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Canadian torchbearers Lindsay Traisnel and Candar van het Neerveld had 38.4 time for 55th (but were one of the best goes through the troublesome #7 combination that I saw).
And Katherine Coleman and Longwood collected 20 jumping and 18.4 time to finish 58th.
Katherine Coleman and Longwood. I took this photo just after a scrappy moment at #24B, a skinny brush off a big mound; Katherine slipped her reins, leaned back and just kept kicking in an impressive display of cross-country instinct. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
With an estimated 60,000 spectators (many of them registering somewhere on the tipsy-to-plastered spectrum, as bar after bar lined the galloping lanes), every North American horse who competed here this weekend will come away with the invaluable experience of competing in an atmosphere that will serve them well in future international competition. And of the 49 horse/rider combinations who made it around without jump penalties today, 10 of them were from our side of the pond. How exciting is that?
On non-American fronts…
Australia’s Chris Burton and Monarchs Exclusive clawed their way from 5th after dressage to 1st after cross-country, with New Zealand’s Jesse Campbell and Kaapachino and France’s Astier Nicolas and Spes Addit’Or on their heels.
Ireland now leads the Nations Cup Team standings (157.7 points), with New Zealand in 2nd (158 points) and the U.S. having moved from 4th after dressage to 3rd (170.1 points).
Top 20 after Boekelo Cross Country:
The final horse inspection takes place Sunday morning at 9 a.m. Dutch time, with show jumping to begin at 11 a.m.
You won’t see any carved wooden animals or fake turquoise water complexes at Boekelo. This is straight-up cross-country — no frills, no cutesy distractions, nothing except you and your horse and 28 questions you’re going to need to answer in timed-quiz fashion.
When I talked to Jon Holling today after dressage, he said that when he competed here three years ago, the course rode harder than it walked. This year, he says, it walks harder than it did last time so … maybe it will ride easier? Probably not.
It’s a twisty course with lots of dips in and out of the woods and plenty of surprises along the way. Several jumps come up suddenly off turns, and the horses won’t have much time to get their eye on the fence before willing their feet to leave the ground. Mercifully there are a number of happy-go-lucky galloping fences tucked in there as well to give everybody a quick mental breather and confidence booster in between the more technical questions.
There’s been enough rain this week that the already sodden turf is probably going to start looking a bit rough early on. With 85 horses on the start list and six out of 11 North American horses leaving the box after 2 p.m., here’s hoping the ground isn’t so torn up that the afternoon horses have to keep their feet on the brakes.
The big atmosphere is another consideration. Boekelo is a party event and cross country day is the fever pitch of festivity — there are makeshift bars set up beside the galloping lanes throughout the course. (The joke is that riders who don’t make it around can stop for a drink during their long walk back to the barn.)
Here’s a look at the course. Note: Jumps #3 and #4 aren’t pictured, as they are located in the main arena where dressage was taking place today. As usual, I would advise riders to actually walk the course as opposed to memorizing it via some photos they saw on Eventing Nation the night before.
#1
#2
#5
#6
#7A
#7B option
#7B option
#7C
#8
#9A
#9AB option
#9C
#10
#11
#12AB
#13
#14
#15
#16A
#16BC
#17
#18A
#18B
#19AB
#20
#21
#22
#23AB
#24A
#24B
#25
#26
#27
#28
Also be sure to check out the course preview over on CrossCountry App, which features commentary from course designer Sue Benson. Many thanks to Dutch amateur rider Willy Leysen for volunteering his time to record the preview, which we’ve also embedded below.
Cross-country begins tomorrow at 10 a.m. Netherlandia time with Ireland’s Simon Porloe and Padraig McCarthy. Buck and Copper Beach will trailblaze for Team USA at 10:16. If you have math issues like I do, I posted a time-zone translator here. You can view the complete order of go here.
Fire Fly, a 5-year-old sold at today's Boekelo KWPN auction for $32,000. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Event horse auctions don’t happen so much in the States but in Europe it’s definitely a thing. Have a glass of wine! Have another! Fall in love! Have one more glass of wine! Open your big mouth! Insert foot (and, more importantly, checkbook)! Boom. You’re the proud owner of a brand new future four-star horse. Maybe. And also you’re possibly in serious debt.
I’ve always wanted a KWPN stallion like this one. And by always, I mean since two glasses of wine ago. Pros: A steal at only 13,000 Euro. Sticking points: I don’t have 13,000 Euro. And also delivery not included. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Just outside in the main arena here at Boekelo while I was attempting to write my dressage wrap-up report, a KWPN event horse auction was taking place. Shiny dreamboat horses galloping round and round with people verbally throwing money at them, because why not. When in the Netherlands, amiright? One-stop shopping. “Why not” was my premise when I abandoned my laptop and went outside for some “investigative journalism.”
The good news: It’s easier to hold yourself back when you are broke.
Wouldn’t I look cute on this one? Photo by Leslie Wylie.
If you (or my husband) was worried there for a moment, don’t fret: All’s well that ends well (AKA horseless), because there were only three horses left, the announcer was speaking Dutch, and I was maybe one glass shy of a bad decision. Also, the no-money thing. (Note to self: Go home, ask for a 32,00 Euro raise.)
I did, however, thoroughly enjoy the proceedings. The top-priced horse, a 5-year-old by international Grand Prix show jumper Zavall VDL who hasn’t really evented but earned a 9.5 for his cross-country canter in a Young Event Horse class, went for a cool 32,000 Euro. Here’s the homestretch of that auction.
American event riders. You give them matchy-matchy jackets, saddle pads and coolers and suddenly they’re piled all atop one another on the leaderboard, like they’re from the “United” States of America or something.
At the conclusion of dressage here at the Boekelo CCIO* five U.S. riders are within less than a point of another, ranging from Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous‘ 45.50 to Matt Brown and Super Socks BCF‘s 46.40. What a bunch of lemmings. Could you be any less original, guys? Get your own dressage scores. Geez.
Screenshot from janssen.sportcg.net.
A recap of today’s dressage action:
Matt Brown and Super Socks BCF (46.40, 27th)
Matt and Super Socks BCF, a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by the Blossom Creek Foundation, set the tone with their seamless morning test. Between the jumbotron and the flags and the people and the tents and the Ace of Base they had cranked up over the loudspeakers, there’s a lot of atmosphere here to take in but “Flaxen” handled it all with aplomb. The judges clearly “saw the sign” (Ace of Base pun!), as he pretty much earned straight 7s from all three of them on collective marks. We’re looking forward to seeing an equivalently solid showing from this pair on their first overseas cross-country expedition tomorrow.
Matt Brown and Super Socks BCF. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Matt’s take on their test:
Jon Holling and Downtown Harrison (46.20, 25th)
God bless this horse. After putting poor Jon through his sports psychology paces in the warm-up, he collected his wits and channeled all that energy into an expressive display of dressage showmanship. Perhaps as a “just kidding, dad!” apology for his pre-test pranks, he scored two 8s and an 8.5 on the halt preceding reinback as well as an 8 collective mark for submission from the judge at H.
“Will,” an 11-year-old Thoroughbred/Trakehner gelding owned by Constance Holling, bested his 2012 Boekelo CCI3* dressage score today by 3.4 points. Having jumped clear around this track once we can’t wait to see him tackle 2.0 tomorrow.
Sidenote: Whereas yesterday’s dressage DJ was playing mostly classical stuff, today’s was exhibiting a bit more derring-do. When Meredith Brooks’ “I’m a B!tch,” which I last heard in probably 1997, came on over the loudspeakers halfway through Jon’s test I’m sure I wasn’t alone in doubling over laughing.
Jon Holling and Downtown Harrison. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo (48.6, 46th)
We’ve seen a lot of fancy, foot-flipping horses in the sandbox these past couple days, and Landmark’s Monte Carlo might not sport the fanciest three-piece suit when it comes to movement. But Lauren says “Patrick,” a 9-year-old Irish/Thoroughbred cross owned and bred by Jacqueline Mars, may be the brokest horse she’s ever ridden and that’s going to come in handy when they go to tackle the twisty, technical cross-country course that lies in front of them tomorrow. The track is a constant test of “Are you listening? Are you listening now?” and I expect that Patrick will respond with a “yes.”
Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Buck Davidson and Carlevo (45.70, 21st)
Carlevo, an 8-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Carlevo LLC, is a relatively new ride for Buck. He came over from Germany earlier this year having previously competed with Dirk Schrade through the CIC2* level. Buck moved him up to Advanced at Jersey Fresh in May, where they jumped clear and nearly on the time cross-country.
When I saw this horse go in the CIC3* last month at Richland Park, his esteemed barnmate Ballynoe Castle RM just barely one-upped him in the dressage, leaving him tied for second even with points still left on the table. (I couldn’t resist asking Buck today my burning questions about what it’s like to ride this horse’s world-class extended trot. Is it like floating on clouds, or playing in a bouncy-house? Inquiring minds wish to know.) Buck thinks highly of this horse and Boekelo marks his first CCI3* — go big or go home, right? Smart money is on going big.
Buck Davidson and Carlevo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Marilyn Little and RF Quarterman (58.40, 77th)
At 7 years old “Fitty” is the youngest horse in the Boekelo field, but he’s as precocious and talented as they come and with Marilyn as his mentor this is an exciting pair for the future. The big atmosphere got to him a bit today, but the Oldenburg gelding owned by Raylyn Farms shows so much promise that a higher-than-usual dressage score today seems like a small price to pay for the experience he is gaining.
With four Americans going within the span of just over an hour, I was on photography duty and didn’t get the chance to catch up with Marilyn and Fitty after their test. However, I look forward to hearing all about their successful, educational cross-country round tomorrow!
Marilyn Little and RF Quarterman. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Liz Halliday-Sharp & HHS Cooley (45.80, 24th)
I lost Liz to the post-test chaos void as well but can testify to the fact that she and “Cooley” had a lovely test, as evidenced by their top 25 score.
The 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Deborah Halliday will be in his element tomorrow; that dapple-grey coat will need the bath of a lifetime if they do it right on cross country. As Jenni noted in her Boekelo preview, however, “Cooley is a good tough mudder, which he proved at Breda last month with a clear cross country effort around a very sloppy track to finish 12th in a huge CIC3* field.” See you on the other side, Liz and Cooley!
Liz Halliday-Sharp and HHS Cooley. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
That leaves the U.S. in fourth place in the FEI Nations Cup team standings heading into cross-country tomorrow. Australia leads, followed by New Zealand and France. The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team (so you know which combinations to cheer extra-obnoxiously loudly for tomorrow): Marilyn Little/RF Scandalous, Liz Halliday-Sharp/HHS Cooley, Matt Brown/Super Socks BCF and Buck Davidson/Copper Beach.
On non-U.S. fronts, New Zealand’s Jonelle Price and Cloud Dancer clung fast to their generous lead from yesterday. Their 3.5 point lead over second-placed Bettina Hoy and Seigneur Medicott gives them a bit of breathing room, but this is the Dutch horse’s first CCI3* so anything could happen. Excitement awaits!
Great Britain’s Nicola Wilson and Bulana moved into 6th place on a 41.3. Germany’s Bettina Hoy/Seigneur Medicott (2nd) and Australia’s Christopher Burton and Monarchs Exclusive (5th) also played a role in shaking up the top of the leaderboard. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Don’t forget that there’s a livestream available, should you have nothing better to do early-early on a Saturday morning (or late-late on a Friday night? No judgement here).
Top 20 after dressage:
Cross-country begins tomorrow at 10 a.m. Netherlandia time with Ireland’s Simon Porloe and Padraig McCarthy. Buck and Copper Beach will trailblaze for Team USA at 10:16. If you have math issues like I do, I posted a time-zone translator here.
Cross-country preview coming up next, and much, much more to come! Go red, white and blue, and Go Eventing!
when you continue your jump lesson w/ shooting pain in your back and leg b/c your horse is going so well #EventerProblems#payingforitnow — Lucy Drinkwater (@ldrinkwater2) October 7, 2015
What’s YOUR problem? Tweet it, Instagram it or share it on Facebook with the hashtag #EventerProblems for inclusion in the next edition of this series.
Buck Davidson and Copper Beach got the ball rolling this morning and the girls came out to play this afternoon at the Boekelo CCIO3*.
First up…
Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous (45.50, 11th)
Marilyn and “Kitty” are our best-placed North American pair of the day. They know how to lay one down in the sandbox and they did just that here at Boekelo.
The 10-year-old Oldenburg owned by Raylyn Farms and Phoebe and Michael Manders is as competitive as they come in the States at the FEI 2* and 3* levels, and it’s exciting to see them holding their own against some of the world’s biggest guns abroad!
Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Katherine Coleman and Longwood (58.70, 41st)
Originally from New Orleans, Katherine linked up with Lucinda Green after clinic-ing with her and is now based at the yard of Lucinda’s daughter, Lissa, in the UK.
Her partnership with Longwood is still relatively new — this marks their first full season together — and they’ve had a dickens of a time getting here. Thanks to a few months lost to sore feet and a bout of mishaps: having a great go cross-country at a qualifier, for instance, just before randomly getting caught up in some wire and running past a jump. Even on the road to Boekelo, literally, she nearly scraped off the top of her lorry after making a wrong turn.
Here’s hoping all their missed luck is in the bank and the pair can cash in on it this weekend!
Katherine Coleman and Longwood. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Lindsay Traisnel and Candar van het Neerveld (50.9, 25th)
Lindsay is the sole Canadian torchbearer this weekend since Kathryn Robinson’s Let It Bee got caught in the crossfire of an inconveniently timed abscess earlier this week. Based in France — she met and married a Frenchman, Xavier, while training in Great Britain — meeting her was a treat and her horse, “Candy,” looks like a powerhouse. (Contrary to what you’d assume from his name, he’s a Belgian Warmblood stallion.) Packing an engine like that I can’t wait to see him jump!
Lindsay Traisnel and Candar van het Neerveld. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus (55.50, 35th)
“Bug,” an 8-year-old Anglo-Arabian gelding owned by Jacqueline Mars, has one of the best expressions of any horse out there. You can tell from a glance that he’s sharp as a tack and game as the day is long, and that he also has a cheeky streak.
That part reared its head briefly in the dressage ring today; they were the last pair in the ring, the footing in the corners had gotten a bit treacherous, and a slip spawned a bit of a tantrum. Nonetheless, he’s great fun to watch especially when he has something more entertaining than dressage (like massive cross-country jumps) to keep him on task.
Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
With their 51.40, Buck and Copper Beach are currently sitting in 29th — we posted this recap of their ride earlier in the day.
Top 15 at the conclusion of day 1 Boekelo dressage:
For all you maniacs out there who are nutty enough to get up in the wee hours to watch an overseas event, the Boekelo CCI3O* is streaming live. It took me a hot minute to figure out how to pull it up (you can’t access it via the English version of the Boekelo website for some reason), so I thought I’d hook you up with an embed.
There’s a six hour time difference between EST and Netherlandia, and if you’re watching the livestream it’s still way too early to do math, so here’s a handy time zone converter:
And because even clicking a mouse seems hard before you’ve had your morning coffee, here are the remaining North American dressage rides in Dutch time:
Thursday
2:52 p.m. – Katherine Coleman and Longwood
3:34 p.m. – Lindsay Traisnel and Candar van het Neerveld
4:02 p.m. – Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus
Friday
10:38 a.m. – Matt Brown and Super Socks BCF
1 p.m. – Jon Holling and Downtown Harrison
1:35 p.m. – Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo
Buck Davidson and Copper Beach. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
The rain started coming down just as Buck Davidson entered at A this morning here in the Netherlands — “Boekelo weather,” as they call it.
This week’s CCIO3* is the final leg of the FEI Nations Cup Eventing Series, and Buck and Copper Beach are representing the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team along with Matt Brown, Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Marilyn Little. The U.S. won’t be winning the Series as we’ve only sent a team to one event, the CICO3* Aachen in August, but that won’t dampen our sideline cheers for them this week.
Nor will the rain. How cool is this whimsical umbrella canopy? Photo by Leslie Wylie.
The 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Carl and Cassie Segal and Sherrie Martin laid down a lead-off score of 51.4, which will place the pair in 12th heading into the lunch break. “Sean” is a class horse that we’ve been following with interest since Buck began developing him in 2012. He cuts quite a figure in the ring, is a consistent jumper and brings some overseas experience to the table having placed 17th at the Tattersalls CCI3* in June.
Buck Davidson and Copper Beach. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
We know he’s capable of laying down a lovely test although his scores tend to fluctuate; unfortunately, today’s score was a swing in the less-happy direction from the 43.2 he earned in the CCI3*s at Jersey Fresh and his 44.4 at Galway. His marks averaged between 6.5 and 7.5, with a scattering in either direction.
Sean had flashes of brilliance, including a crystal-clear first change, with an Irish moment here and there — perhaps the European rain was making him feel a bit nostalgic for his roots! The most notable was a giraffe-necked, “but I don’t want to slow down!” transition from extended to collected trot down the long side, which was awarded a 4 from the judge at C and a 7 from the judge at B. Maybe the latter was distracted by a daydream about hot chocolate?
As Buck noted after his test, there was some irregularity in his overall scores as well, which ranged from a 63.27% from the judge at H to a 67.88% from the judge at C. His take on the test:
The top 15 heading into the lunch break:
Screenshot via janssen.sportcg.net.
Still to go today from the North American contingent are Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous at 1:14 p.m. (7:14 a.m. EST), Katherine Coleman and Longwood at 2:42 p.m. (8:42 a.m. EST), Lindsay Traisnel and Candar van het Neerveld at 3:34 p.m. (9:34 EST) and Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus at 4:02 (10:02 EST). Early birds can catch the livestream here.
The rain Buck had to brave earlier has since given way to gloomy, grey cloud cover, but we’re looking forward to cool but dry weather for the rest of the week.
Screenshot via weather.com.
We’ll be back with more soon. Brace yourself for an extra helping of ridiculousness this weekend as the media center here has its very own bartender — what?!??
Team USA is all set to open a big can of whoop-bum on Europe this week here at the Boekelo CCIO3* in the Netherlands. All systems are go for an action-packed week of international eventing and (judging from the minor-planet sized disco ball I spotted in a nearby pavilion) raucous partying, and EN is on the scene bringing it to you live.
Eighty-five horses will start the competition including a super-sized North American contingent. We’ve got 10 U.S. combinations and one Canadian pair, down from two as Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee did not present at today’s first horse inspection.
Speaking of which, I hope you guys are ready to get bombarded by 12-second Boekelo-themed music videos over the next few days because I just discovered the Triller app and am addicted. Here’s episode 1:
A video posted by Eventing Nation (@goeventing) on
As usual when I’m judging, Marilyn Little won the jog. What sealed the deal this go-round, stealing the show even from her softly billowing palomino mane…
Marilyn Little and RF Quarterman. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
…wait for it…
Oh. My. God. Becky. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Boom. That’s what you call team spirit. Marilyn for the jog win and possibly a 2016 presidential nomination as well. (It’s the Olympic Knee Patch Riding Jean by 2kGrey in case you need/want/have-to-have a pair yourself.)
Honorable mention to Katherine Coleman’s Longwood. As we Southerners like to say, “The higher the hair, the closer to God.”
Katherine Coleman and Longwood. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
On a related note I’m doling out a personal honorable mention to the entire big orange-clad Dutch home team, as they’re the closest I’ll get to watching any SEC football this weekend. Go Vols.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Like college football and changing leaves, freshly primped horse bums hanging out of coolers before the jog is another sure sign that autumn three-days are upon us.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
And I can’t in good conscience conclude this jog report without calling attention to Downtown Harrison‘s big cheesy grin.
Jon Holling and Downtown Harrison. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Dressage kicks off tomorrow at 9 a.m. whatever-this-time-zone-is (3 a.m. EST) with Padraig McCarthy and Simon Porloe of Ireland. There are 18 countries being represented this weekend, including Japan, Tunisia, China and Zimbabwe. Must be getting close to the Olympics!
New Zealand is another one to watch as they’re still in need of Olympic qualification and will be hunting it down with a fierceness here at Boekelo.
Ryuzo Kitajima and Just Chocolate, representing Japan at Boekelo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Team competitions always add to the drama of a big competition and, while I forgot to pack my American flag bikini (*not pictured*) this time, I’ll be cheering as hard as anybody for Team USA this weekend. With Matt Brown, Buck Davidson, Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Marilyn Little representing, we’ve got a great shot at being competitive while giving some promising up-and-coming horses a dose of overseas experience.
The North American combinations and their dressage ride times in Dutch time:
Thurday
9:14 a.m – Buck Davidson and Copper Beach
1:14 p.m. – Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous – Friday
2:52 p.m. – Katherine Coleman and Longwood
3:34 p.m. – Lindsay Traisnel and Candar van het Neerveld
4:02 p.m. – Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus
Friday
10:38 a.m. – Matt Brown and Super Socks BCF
1 p.m. – Jon Holling and Downtown Harrison
1:35 p.m. – Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo
2:03 p.m. – Marilyn Little and RF Quarterman
2:17 p.m. – Buck Davidson and Carlevo
2:45 p.m. – Liz Halliday-Sharp and HHS Cooley
Jenni did a great write-up on everybody earlier this week so be sure to check that out here.
Go get ’em, kids. Let’s make like a disco ball and light this place up.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Much, much more to come, live from Netherlandia. Go eventing.
There’s been a growing sentiment in recent years that eventing is on the road to being too big for its breeches. Many fingers point toward the cha-ching aspect of it, and there’s some accountability there for sure. There IS more money in the sport. The horses ARE getting nicer. The competition IS getting stiffer. Across the board, it does feel like we’re just taking ourselves a bit more seriously these days.
British eventer Lucie McNichol recently wrote a controversial column for Horse and Hound titled “Why I’ve Had Enough of Eventing.” In it Lucie laments the direction the sport is taking, expressing disillusionment with our “reliance on big money owners,” the attitude and work ethic of young riders, and a host of other evils ranging from the short format to overly competitive show moms. “Eventing is a dog-eat-dog world,” she says, “and this year has reiterated that.”
Jr. Beginner Novice 3rd place finisher Ryan Wood can’t conceal a smile, while her horse Galway Blazer can’t conceal a little “how about that?” buck, after their double-clear round. The pair featured in one of my favorite stories of the weekend, “Life Advice for Jr. Beginner Novice Ryan Wood from 4* Ryan Wood.” Photo by Leslie Wylie.
You can’t fault Lucie for her honesty; she’s speaking to the truth of her own experience, and I think everyone who is involved in the sport has probably encountered some variation on one or more of those themes. But I think there’s also truth to this comment from the salt-of-the-earth three-star rider who brought the column to my attention: “It just made me sad to read that a bit. I feel like Lucie saw the ugly side of the sport and didn’t mention all the wonderful things it brings to the world!”
Last month’s Nutrena American Eventing Championships showcased those wonderful things. It offered a panoramic view of eventing as it exists here in the U.S. — the pyramid-shaped representation of Beginner Novice to Advanced level riders, the connective tissue that exists between amateurs and pros, the sport’s sweeping geographic scope, and the heroic roles performed by organizers, volunteers and supporters. Walking around the showgrounds with my ears and eyes open felt like looking inside a clock, watching all the different-sized gears turning in tandem.
Buck Davidson and Wundermaske. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
I’ve experienced the AECs as a competitor in Illinois, a coach in Georgia and now as press at this year’s event at Texas Rose Horse Park. My last trip to an Area V event was many moons ago, the long-extinct Camino Real Three-Day in 2000 or so, and it was fun to see that the area’s trademark camaraderie is still very much intact.
It seemed like everywhere you turned, people were having the time of their life: cheering for one another, hanging out together and keeping each other and themselves entertained (see the Area V Beginner Novice adult team’s unicorn-themed course walk). I went primarily to cover the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Championship but ended up turning in twice as many stories about riders who, regardless of whether they won a blue ribbon, surprised, impressed or inspired me in some way that I just couldn’t keep to myself.
This is the USEA’s feel-good event of the year, equal parts culmination and celebration of the hard work riders and their teams put in to get here. It’s proof that game faces can wear a smile, and that being competitive and having fun aren’t mutually exclusive.
Team Jacob! A supporter cheers Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino along the cross-country home stretch. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Even the Gold Cup riders, who were chasing a carrot-on-a-stick to the tune of $20,000, were clearly in it for something bigger than a (literally) giant check. For Buck Davidson, who won last year and placed third this year on Wundermaske, the AECs weren’t the most logical or convenient stop on his event calendar. He arrived having just competed eight horses at Plantation Field the weekend before and had to jump on a plane immediately after his last ride on Saturday to book it to another show.
Buck came to Texas, he explained, because he believes the AECs are important for the sport and wants to support them. I also suspect he would have loved handing the spoils over to his longtime friend Sharon White, Wundermaske’s usual rider, who has been battling some back problems of late — yet another example of the community mindedness that permeates our sport.
It takes a village! Jacob and his crew. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
As for 2015 Gold Cup winner Jacob Fletcher, I wish I could introduce him to Lucie McNichol. There are plenty of young eventers out there who are doing it right, and just 21 years old, Jacob is one of them. Not only is he a tremendous horseman (and a heck of a line-dancer), he is well-spoken, thoughtful, humble and quick with a smile. It’s no wonder he’s already acquired such a fan club!
Positive energy has a trickle-down effect. When “the rest of us” see top riders who present as great people as well, who are doing what they love and loving what they do, it shapes our own approach to the sport.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Same goes for the USEA, which has worked so hard to make the AECs a truly special destination event for riders of all ages and levels. The energy and enthusiasm of that whole team was so impressive to witness and a reassurance that American eventing is in great hands. The AECs are a manifestation of the spirit they are bringing to the table.
No matter what the color of their ribbon, thanks to the USEA every competitor left feeling like they’d accomplished something meaningful. I loved watching the division leader press conferences each day — the media staffers went out of their way to make Jr. Beginner Novice riders feel like they were just as big a deal as the Gold Cup riders.
Ooh, that ribbon tickles! Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Which they are! The relationship between upper- and lower-level riders is symbiotic, as is that between riders and officials and volunteers and supporters and all the other myriad roles that are critical to the health of our sport.
Ultimately, we’re all responsible for shaping our sport into what we want it to be. We all have a voice, and it’s up to us to decide whether the tone we use is positive or negative, constructive or destructive. I believe it’s possible to take ourselves seriously and have fun at the same time. Because if we’re not having fun, what’s the point?
Click here to read all of EN’s coverage of the 2015 Nutrena American Eventing Championships.
It’s been a soggy week out there for much of the Eventing Nation. The hurricane or tropical storm or whatever you want to call this gnarly rainbow-colored blob dumped buckets on everyone in its wake for days.
…and then we put on a smile and act like everything is perfectly fine and normal. Like, “Hey, this is great! Rain is the new sunshine!”
From Lauren Romanelli: “What single girls do on Saturday night…. Set up the jump field from their 11-year-old-Breyer-loving-dreams in the pouring rain! #singlelife #eventerproblems #wetfeet #FINALLYWEHAVEJUMPS”
Or, “Hurricane, no big deal! Just imagine that you’re splashing through a great big water jump!”
What’s YOUR problem? Tweet it, Instagram it or share it on Facebook with the hashtag #EventerProblems for inclusion in the next edition of this series.
There are natural resources on this earth that are available only in a finite, limited supply — oil, water and coal being a few examples. Other things, well, they just keep coming. Like #EventerProblems.
Here are 30+ more reader-submitted struggles. We’ll kick things off with one from EN’s own Jenni Autry …
Barn smells like a tractor trailer full of BenGay rolled over. Dropped open Vetrolin in the isle today… #eventerproblems#Vetrolin — Amanda Tefft (@MandyPantsARoo) September 18, 2015
Compete in first horse trial in 3 years on borrowed horse, emerge unscathed. Ride own horse next day, and we both faceplant #eventerproblems
Forgot my wallet which means I have no money or ID but no worries, I’m not Jane Doe because I have my Ride Safe bracelet! #eventerproblems — Kelly Parsons (@KellyBear172) September 27, 2015
You know you’re an eventer when your phone automatically changes xx to XC #eventerproblems
Not being able to check this account regularly because riding starts at 6am and ends at 8pm on good days #eventerproblems — 3 Day Addict (@EventerProblems) September 27, 2015
From Krista Amos Degitz: “They are replacing some of the railroad ties by my son’s elementary in Harridon, Ohio. All I can think of is that pile could make like 50 cross-country jumps.”
What’s YOUR problem? Tweet it, Instagram it or share it on Facebook with the hashtag #EventerProblems for inclusion in the next edition of this series.
The battle begins … Photo courtesy of Amanda Chance.
A wise Internet meme once said, “Always be yourself. Unless you can be a unicorn. Then always be a unicorn.”
A team of Area V riders took that advice to heart at this year’s Nutrena American Eventing Championships. “Always Be a Unicorn,” as they dubbed themselves, was comprised of Amanda Chance, Bobby Covington, Jeannette Bayer and Sherri Hampton. Whatever sparkly, rainbow-colored magic they were channeling paid off with a win in the Beginner Novice Adult Team Championships.
“We had a unicorn themed golf cart called the ‘Unicart,’ all kinds of unicorn-themed decor, threw a unicorn party for everyone at our stabling on Thursday night, and did this unicorn themed course walk,” Amanda says. “Team spirit, we have it.”
The “Unicart.” Photo courtesy of Amanda Chance.
Bobby and Amanda board at Sherri’s barn in Austin, and all four team members train and show with Amanda Merritt, who is based at Anchor Equestrian in College Station. Says Amanda, “We even made our trainer wear the unicorn mask in our team’s official ‘win’ photo! It was great. Diane Pitts and Mark Phillips laughed pretty hard — a little levity in awards!”
Let’s circle back to this unicorn-themed course walk, though. “The course walk was my baby,” Amanda says. “I ‘wrote’ the rough screenplay, I guess you could call it, Bobby played the white unicorn and Jeannette played the black unicorn.”
Enjoy:
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
#10
#11
#12
#13
#14
#15A
#15B
#16
#17
(Fittingly, in addition to winning the battle of good vs. evil, unicorn Bobby also won the Broadstone Beginner Novice Amateur division.)
They also put together some behind-the-scenes webisodes of the Unicorns’ antics throughout the week, a series titled “The $h!tshow with Amanda and Bobby.” Fair warning: “They are not particularly PC and there’s cussing. But hey, adult riders,” as Amanda put it.
Eventing Nation is a family website, you know, so we’re not going to post them here, but if you want to check them out yourself: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5.
Congrats to “Always Be a Unicorn” for their win — you guys are winning at eventing AND life.
Want some #EventerProblems? I’ve got one for you: When you get home from covering the American Eventing Championships at midnight, stay up another couple hours finishing your last event report, and then, just when you’re about to head for bed, you remember that you haven’t checked on #EventerProblems submissions in almost a week.
So you check, and there are so many of them piled up that you know you won’t sleep well unless you start sifting through them, and then suddenly it’s 3:30 a.m. and you’re doubled over on the kitchen table, laughing hysterically and feeling less alone.
We’re all mad here, my friends. Here are 30 more reader-submitted #EventerProblems:
What’s YOUR problem? Tweet it, Instagram it or share it on Facebook with the hashtag #EventerProblems for inclusion in the next edition of this series.
California girls Heather Morris and Tamie Smith were a force of nature at the 2015 Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships. They rolled up into Tyler, Texas, like a hurricane and blew out with four National Championships between the two of them.
Heather started her Saturday off with a win on Get Rowdy in the Professional’s Choice Training Horse division. The 5-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Team Express Group LLC took the weekend in stride, finishing the week on their dressage score of 22.5.
“He just grew up so much this weekend,” Heather says. “He can sometimes go in and be a little bit casual but the atmosphere in there kind of lit him up a bit and he was so good.”
What’s next for the baby superstar? “He’s ready to go to Prelim but I’m not going to move him up until next year,” Heather says. Instead, we can look forward to seeing him compete against his peers in the Young Horse Championships at Galway next month.
Later in the afternoon, Heather took a second victory gallop aboard Merial Intermediate winner Charlie Tango. Like Get Rowdy, the 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by Team Express Group LLC won the dressage on 24.8 and never looked back.
The show jumping course was causing plenty enough trouble for the Intermediate division, with rails flying for all but the top two finishers, Heather and second-placed Jessica Schultz riding her own Lock ‘N Load.
“He was jumping like a freak in the warm-up,” Heather recalls, “and then the horse in front of me went clean and so obviously I couldn’t have any rails, but he’s such an amazing show jumper. I’ve had him since he was 4 and so our partnership is good, and he really hates touching anything.”
Heather Morris and Charlie Tango. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
It’s not their first big win together — the pair bested both CCI2*s they entered this year, first at Galway and then at Rebecca Farm — but victory never gets old, especially when it’s shared with a special horse.
It’s always fun to see how riders celebrate in the moment they realize they’ve won a big event, but of all the fist pumps, high-fives and neck pats I witnessed this weekend I think my favorite reaction belonged to Heather and Charlie Tango. After their double-clear round, Heather dropped his reins and gave him a full-on bear hug that went on and on. Honestly, I thought someone was going to have to pry the two apart.
“I always give him a kiss,” Heather said. “He’s such a good boy.”
Heather Morris and Charlie Tango. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Meanwhile, Tamie Smith was busy racking up her own collection of champion ribbons. Fresh off her big CIC3* shut-out with Maui Baum at Plantation Field last weekend, Tamie’s momentum carried over to the AECs where she matched Heather’s two wins with two of her own.
First she captured the Preliminary Horse championship with Fleeceworks Royal, a 6-year-old Holsteiner owned by Judith McSwain. We’ve been following this partnership since the striking grey mare made her debut in the 4-Year-Old Future Event Horse Program, and Tamie has done a beautiful job of developing her ever since. “Rory” had some momentum coming into this weekend herself, having topped the CIC1* at Copper Meadows earlier this month.
“I’m thrilled with her,” Tamie says. Rory has a tendency to be a bit “rude and bossy” in the show jumping, so they’ve been doing some 6-Year-Old Jumper classes, which are 1.30 meter and 1.35 meter for championships. By comparison, a 1.10 meter prelim show jumping course seems like a walk in the park. “She just kind of went into the ring and was really comfortable, like, ‘Ah! This is Novice.’ But she felt really good and really rideable and I’m super proud of her.”
In addition to her Prelim win, Rory earned the honor of being the top-placed Young Event Horse program graduate at the AECs. Can’t wait to see what this mare adds to her already-impressive resume next!
Next up was Tamie’s ride on Anita Nardine’s California-bred 7-year-old, Favian. The pair laid down the lowest dressage score of any AECs division, a 21.5, and held fast to their lead for the rest of the weekend.
Favian’s budding eventing career thus far has been a team effort. Tamie took him to his first show, Jess Hargrave took him to his second, and Heather took him to his third. “We were trying to get him qualified and he hasn’t really had a person,” Tamie says. “But from the first time I rode him until today, he’s been super. He’s ready for Training level, and that’s what you hope for going into a championship.”
Needless to say, Tamie and Heather had a lot to celebrate this weekend — and who wouldn’t want to be on that party train?
When Chinch went missing for a solid 24 hours, coincidentally last seen at the Heather/Tamie press conference, we weren’t sure whether he’d been abducted or had staged his own chinchnapping as an excuse to party all night with friends like AEC cross-country course designer Captain Mark Phillips…
…USEA President Diane Pitts…
…and, of course, these double-trouble hooligans:
(See more photo evidence of Chinch’s wild Saturday night shenanigans on Eventing Nation’s Instagram @goeventing.)
Just when we were about to call the police, he mysteriously showed back up during Tamie’s awards ceremony with Favian.
Ryan Wood and Galway Blazer. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Could there be a new “Woodsy” in town? Ryan Wood, a 15-year-old from Mobile, Ala., just wrapped up a super weekend here at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships. She and her horse Galway Blazer laid down a double-clear show jumping trip to secure third place in the competitive Jr. Beginner Novice division, finishing on a score of 33.0.
With the pressure on and this being her biggest competition yet, Ryan was as composed as any rider I’ve seen here this weekend. She sat up patiently down every line, counting her steps, and could have won an equitation class out there while she was at it.
Ryan Wood and Galway Blazer. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Ryan Wood and Galway Blazer. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
But while she may have had ice in her veins during her round, as soon as they crossed the finish it was all smiles and a big pat for her partner. From start to finish, this was a fun pair to watch and we look forward to keeping an eye on Ryan’s eventing career as it progresses!
Ryan Wood and Galway Blazer. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
There is, of course, another Ryan Wood floating around out there in the event world, who is older, (arguably) wiser, and has a few more jumps under his belt.
Ryan Wood and Fernhill Classic at Bromont 2014. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
I asked 4* Ryan Wood if he had any words of wisdom for Jr. Beginner Novice Ryan Wood. The prompt: “If you could go back in time and give yourself some teenage eventing (or life) advice, what would it be?”
Here is what he had to say:
Here’s some life advice for you, 4* Ryan Wood: Watch your back! Ryan may be new to the sport now, but give her a few years and she may be giving you a run for your money!
Most horses would be stoked about being named Reserve National Champion. But while Caroline Martin was all smiles and poise during yesterday’s Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final awards ceremony, Quantum Solace had other ideas. Perhaps, having laid down such a pristine double-clear round, he assumed that he’d won?
As the 10-year-old Argentinean Thoroughbred gelding’s fidgeting progressed into a full-blown comedy act, I couldn’t help but snap some photos.
Look at me! I’m Gold Cup champion! Neener, neener, neener!
The taste of victory, so sweet.
I hope mom blows all $20,000 of that prize money on carrots. I’ve earned it.
Ready for that blue ribbon now…
Wait! There must be some mistake. That ribbon’s not blue.
Well, this is depressing.
Stupid red ribbon. Stupid “Reserve Champion” cooler. I’m going to shred that thing, and then I’m going to poop all over it.
But first, I’m going to ruin this stupid photo op.
Get this thing off me!
Mom!!!!
Blue ribbon or not, you’re a champion in our book, Quantum Solace.
By day the 2015 Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships Trade Fair was a shopping smorgasbord, featuring booths full of equestrian et cetera we need/want/have-to-have. When dusk rolled around, however, the big indoor got rowdy on us, each evening hosting some sort of Texas-style shindig. From two-stepping on the dance floor to beef brisket and a mechanical bull, the USEA and Area V know how to throw a party!
Here were a few of our favorite features:
1. This opportunity to grace the cover of Eventing USA.
How you’d LIKE to look jumping into the Head of the Lake:
How you’d ACTUALLY look jumping into the Head of the Lake:
2. Tall boots living in peace and harmony with cowboy boots.
Tall boots with fringe? Now there’s an idea for you, La Mundial. And the dog… I can’t even.
3. Shirts galore.
I’m totally snagging one of these official 2015 American Eventing Championships shirts. Not only do they look sharp, they’re made of a lightweight tech fabric possibly inspired by the toasty Texas climate. (It’s 90 degrees here, guys. 90 degrees!)
Here they are modeled by the amazing and infinitely color-coordinated USEA crew. Want one for yourself? We hear there may be a few available after the event from the USEA Shop, in addition to other assorted logo gear.
I do not even know what is on this rack, but I’m probably going to buy it.
5. Shiny objects.
Texas is all about some big, sparkly belt buckles and gratuitous bling. Gotta have the bell boots to match!
6. Texas. Beer. Garden.
Looks like somebody had one too many. Check out EN on Instagram @goeventing to see what shenanigans led up to this sad, sad moment.
7. And last but not least this mechanical bull, which showed up for the competitor’s party.
They say the better you are at eventing, the worse you probably are at riding a mechanical bull. The trick to staying aboard a machine designed to buck you off (which you’d THINK you’d be great at — I mean, you’ve been training your whole life for this moment, right?) is to do basically everything every trainer has ever told you never to do, like pinch with your knees, point your toes down, lean forward and cling desperately to the bull’s neck.
Which explains why this talented young rider got spun in approximately 2.5 seconds…
Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
When it comes to prize-giving, the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships balls harder than anybody. And no division has more at stake than the Adequan Gold Cup Final — in addition to a $20,000 check, the winner walks away with a serious haul of product from the event’s generous sponsors.
Jacob Fletcher was the leader going into today’s show jumping grand finale but if he was feeling any pressure, you couldn’t tell. He and Atlantic Domino were 100% composed as they tackled the Marc Donovan designed course, breaking character only after all four feet had landed from the final fence.
Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Jacob and Domino led from start to finish this weekend, adding four cross country time faults to a winning dressage score of 27.6 then sealing the deal with a double-clear in show jumping today. Show jumping is the horse’s forte, so no one was surprised when the pair pulled off today’s final-phase hat trick.
“On his record and subjectively, show jumping is his best phase,” Jacob says. “But even saying that I’ve never been in the lead or even in the top three in a big, big competition, so I was very nervous. I’m only riding two horses this weekend, too, and I think it’s much easier to stay in the game if you’re riding a lot of horses and you don’t have time to get off and think.”
Jacob came here thinking that the event would be a good prep for his fall CCI3* at Galways Downs, but winning was a welcome bonus — especially since Area V is his stomping ground and 2015 marks the third and final year the AECs will be held here at Texas Rose Horse Park. With Laine Ashker having won it in 2013 followed by Buck Davidson in 2014, Jacob quipped, “Somebody from Area V had to win it before it leaves!”
“I think we’re really getting on the right track and I’m most happy we had a good, clear, confidence-building round this weekend,” Jacob says, adding with a let’s-get-real-here smile, “I enjoyed winning, too. I’ve never done that before at a big competition. But the biggest thing for me is that the horse is going well and that he can be more confident the next time we go out.”
As for what he plans to do with that check for $20 grand?
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
“Probably invest it,” he says. “I’m very much into the stock market and I don’t have any money now, so I have a few stocks waiting.”
For a 21-year-old, Jacob Fletcher, we think you’re going to turn out just fine.
Elsewhere in the division, the no. 2 and no. 3 positions switched places when Buck Davidson and Wundermaske pulled a couple rails. Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace moved into their place on the wings of a double-clear round, one of only three in the 11-horse division.
Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Buck Davidson and Wundermaske. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
2011 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final winners Barb Crabo and Eveready II finished fourth on a four-fault round.
Barb Crabo and Eveready II. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
It’s great to see past winners like Barb and Buck making an effort to keep the AECs on their schedule although it’s easy to see why they do. It’s a special event for professionals and amateurs alike, a true representation of the heart and spirit of the sport here in America.
The Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships is an annual showcase of serious lower-level dressage chops. The qualification process curates a top-notch field from the get-go, and this is one event where nobody wants to leave points on the table.
Across the board this weekend, the competition has been fierce. Want to win dressage in the Jr. Beginner Novice 14 and under division? Hope you can lay down a score of 22.
This year’s lowest dressage score belongs to Tamra Smith and Favian, who earned a 21.5 in the Novice Horse division. The pair followed up their winning test with a double-clear cross-country trip, and they’ll head into show jumping tomorrow on a narrow lead of 0.3. On their heels are Erika Petersen and Kaloo, who scored an also-impressive 21.8 in the dressage.
The average winning score of the Novice divisions was a 23.1, making it the most competitive level of any here at the AECs. To see what it takes to win Novice dressage at this championship level, check out Cecelia Bette‘s test on Mystery K. A double-clear cross-country round means they’ll be clinging tight to their lead heading into the show jumping tomorrow.
Celia’s test, plus those of second-placed Sally Beach on Hang Time (27.3) and Tosca Scholfield-Johnson on Fernhill Jupiter (28.5):
The second most competitive level was Training, with an average winning dressage score of 23.9.Heather Morris andGet Rowdy posted the lowest score, a 22.5, and added nothing to it to win the Professional’s Choice Training Horse championship title just moments ago. Congrats, Heather!
Beginner Novice AEC divisions are always massive, making it all the more imperative that riders lay down the test of their lives to stay in the hunt. This year’s competitors did just that, with an average winning dressage score of 25.1 .
The lowest BN score belonged to Julie NormanandTia, who earned a 23.5 in the Broadstone Beginner Novice Horse division. Here’s their test, along with those of second-placed Bailey Snyder on Corina (23.8) and third-placed Angela Gottler on Caans Big Strider (26.3):
But nobody brought the heat harder than the Broadstone Junior Beginner Novice 14 and Under riders. The top three scores were all under 25, with Miriam Copeland and D’Stinctive taking the early lead on a 23.8. If you want to see some fresh young talent watch this video of Mirian’s test, along with second-placed Mckenzie Scroggins on ChaCha (24.5) and Ava Severs on Rubies to Diamonds (24.8).
Well-done, ladies!
Many thanks to RNS for the great footage. Be sure to “like” RNS on Facebook to get a head’s up about new videos as they post them.
Avery Klunick and In It To Win It gallop past a crowd of spectators at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
RNS Video is out in force this week at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships, capturing all the action. Not only do they do a great job, you can count on them to be up burning the midnight oil, editing and uploading video so that we can experience it just hours after it happens. It’s the second best thing to being here in person!
Their latest video is a montage of Friday’s Training through Advanced level cross-country leaders, which are…
Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final: Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino, owned by Company Fletcher Farms. They head into show jumping on a 3.4 point lead over Buck Davidson and Wundermaske.
Merial Intermediate: Heather Morris and Charlie Tango, owned by The Team Express Group LLC. They head into showjumping on a 2.9 point lead over Jessica Schultz and Lock N’ Load.
Jr/YR Preliminary: Arden Stephens and her own No More Rocks. They head into show jumping on a 2.7 point lead over Clara Cargile and White Indian.
Preliminary Amateur: Tristen Hooks and her own Learning To Fly. They head into show jumping on a 3.4 point lead over Alexandra Wikstrom and Change Order.
Preliminary Horse: Tamra Smith and Fleeceworks Royal, owned by Judith McSwain. They head into show jumping on a 3.4 point lead over Emma Kate Fisher and Cooley Performer.
Professional’s Choice Junior Training: Georgia Dillard and Normandy’s Cole’s Clover, owned by Tabietha Dillard. They head into show jumping on a 3.2 point lead over Arden Stephens and Ultra T.
Professional’s Choice Training Amateur: Ashley Hays and her own Call It Courage. They head into show jumping on an 8.6 point lead over Melissa Fox and Diamond Legacy.
Professional’s Choice Training Horse:Heather Morris and Get Rowdy, owned by Team Express Group LLC. They head into show jumping on a 2.7 point lead over Buck Davidson and Mr. Poppers.
Our friends at the USEA (who have pulled out all the stops this week to make the 2015 AECs an event to remember!) posted a recap of all the divisions here, including interviews with all of the leaders — you can check it out here.
Be sure to “like” RNS on Facebook to get a head’s up about new videos as they post them. And if you’re competing at the AECs yourself, go buy your video! For many riders the AECs are a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you’ll be grateful you have on film on down the road.
Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino at the 2015 American Eventing Championships. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
It was a race against the cross-country clock today in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final, with riders stepping hard on the gas in an effort to shave off seconds wherever they could.
The only combination that came in inside the time was Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace, whose double-clear trip moved them from seventh after dressage to third.
Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Buck Davidson clung fast to second, turning in a blazing two time fault round on Sharon White’s Wundermaske despite getting a late start from the box. As he predicted in the post-dressage press conference, the course wasn’t quite as well suited to his previously second-placed horse, The Apprentice, who collected 15.6 time faults on the way around.
Buck Davidson and Wundermaske. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
But even four time faults weren’t enough to budge 21-year-old Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino from their cushy lead. The pair made short work of Captain Mark Phillips’ twisty, turn-y course, which Jacob had the opportunity to test-drive on his first horse of the division, Fly Away Ferro. While Jacob describes the horses as “complete opposites,” it gave him a good feel for the track which he was able to carry over to his ride on Domino.
“He was really good,” Jacob says. “He’s such an honest horse and a beautiful jumper, really quick up front, and he backs off the fences so I don’t have to take many pulls. I can just travel in to everything and he doesn’t waste any time, so it was a good course for him.”
Area V is Jacob’s stomping grounds, and there were big cheers going up from the crowd as he galloped around.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
“I thought, you know, this is Area V’s last year to host the AECs for a while — we can’t not let someone from Area V try to win it,” Jacob laughed. “We can’t just let Buck and his crew come in and win it every year.”
The course rode to plan for most pairs, with the only issue at all being a run-out at the skinny brush ditch-and-wall for Joe Meyer and Sanskrit. Other than that, and a few scrappy moments here and there, it was smooth sailing.
Jacob isn’t one to bet against come the Gold Cup’s grand finale tomorrow — Domino has only had one or two rails over the past year, and Jacob describes him as the best show jumper he’s ever sat on. “If I halfway do my job on a normal day he would jump clear,” Jacob says.
But with glory and a $20,000 check at stake, you can count on everyone showing up with their A game. The division will run in reverse order of go, beginning at 4:30 p.m. CT. We’ll be bringing you all the latest, so keep it locked here!
Photo gallery:
Joe Meyer and Sanskrit. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Joe Meyer and Clip Clop. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Jacob Fletcher and Fly Away Ferro. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Ellen Doughty and Sir Oberon. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Buck Davidson and The Apprentice. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Barb Crabo and Eveready. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Avery Klunick and In It To Win It. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Angela Grzywinski and Novelle. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Great Britain's Pippa Funnel and Billy the Biz. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
