View Classifieds
Leslie Wylie
Articles Written 3,063
Article Views 7,612,646

Leslie Wylie

Achievements

Become an Eventing Nation Blogger

About Leslie Wylie

Latest Articles Written

Tuesday Video: ‘Grooming Is an Inside Job’ #WeRideTogether PSA

By on Aug 24, 2021 6:00 pm -

*Trigger warning* This video contains discussions of sexual abuse and misconduct.

Grooming is an inside job. So is prevention. Your voice has power.

Here is preview of the third PSA of the #WeRideTogether campaign. It elevates the voice of Jessica Manning, a horsewoman and horse lover whose abuser used horses to groom and sexually abuse her.

Watch the full-length video here.

#WeRideTogether gives a voice to survivor stories, provides resources to report abuse and get help, and offers educational information for athletes, coaches, and families. Sexual misconduct and abuse have long been an issue in equestrian sport, and is often ignored, minimized, or wrongly blamed on the victim. The equestrian community is no longer sitting idly by.

The microsite will be updated on an ongoing basis to provide a safe place for survivors to share their experiences. It is intended a true movement and cultural shift that demands increased accountability from trainers and coaches, gives survivors a safe platform for their voice, and helps diminish the stigma and fear of coming forward.

Visit WeRideTogether.Today to learn more.

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: Three Connemara/Thoroughbred Crosses We Covet

By on Aug 24, 2021 12:30 pm -

In the market for a new four-legged partner? You may find your unicorn on our sister site, Sport Horse Nation. To help with the search, we’re going to feature a selection of current listings here on EN. We include the ad copy provided; click the links for videos, pricing and contact information.

What do you get when you cross the toughness and bravery of a Connemara with the blood and heart of a Thoroughbred? The ideal event horse! This week we’re drooling over three Connemara/Thoroughbred crosses that tick all the boxes, especially for a rider on the petite side like me.

The first one is already up and running, the second one is green but promising, the third one is a yearling filly, and the fourth one — yes, there’s a surprise fourth one — is the filly’s dad! He isn’t for sale but is at stud, so you can breed your own Thoroughbred and create your own cross!

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Warning: Perfect Horse

⚠️Warning⚠️ Perfect horse, proceed with caution.

Louie (Lulu) is a 2017, Connemara/Thoroughbred mare, standing at 15 hands. Top of the line in every way imaginable. Recognized showing experience through novice, ample scope for moving up. Consistently low scores in dressage. Steady, balance, and athletic. Incredible jump. It breaks my heart even writing this ad because she is just that special. She has the most lovely disposition, sweet as they come. Stunning conformation, with movement to match. EASIEST horse to ride, always making the rider look good. Although young, this horse is as consistent as they come. She is absolutely phenomenal and I can’t say enough good about her. Everyone who has met/watched her go will also say the same, she has a large fan club. A truly special horse who is ready for her forever person. I am in no rush to sell her as I know how special this horse is, she will only be going to the best of the best home. I fell in love with this one so it will break my heart to see her go. It’s my job, that’s why she’s for sale. Happy to answer any questions, as finding her an elite home is my top priority. Until then, I will have fun continuing her training and competing her in young event horse championships.

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Fancy Imported Connemara/Tb

Eamonn is 7yo, 15.1h, takes up the leg, and has a horse sized stride. Eamonn is a nice mover with three comfortable gaits. He was imported in the fall of 2019 with only a couple of rides under saddle. He has done a lot of ground work here in the States and has a solid foundation under saddle. He is still green as we have gone slow and done things correctly. He gets his confidence from his rider and therefore prefers a rider who is confident and quiet. He is beginning to understand leg to hand contact and improving greatly with each ride. He is very sweet and a total cuddle bug. He has impeccable ground manners all the way around. Will stand ground tied or cross tied for hours. Great for vet and farrier and loads on the trailer without hesitation. Eamonn is best suited for a rider who will take their time in bringing him along correctly, he could be brought along by a quiet and confident intermediate junior or amateur with the help of a trainer. Eamonn had an introduction to jumping when he was first imported and seemed to really love it but his owner wanted to focus on giving him a proper start in dressage. We could see Eamonn doing any discipline but feel he would excel in dressage, hunters, or eventing at the lower levels.

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Connemara/TB yearling filly

Beautiful dark bay filly by Redbud’s Blue Moon and out of the winning TB mare Blue Temptation. 14-2 hands at 15 months. Family history says she should mature at 15-3 to 16 hands. Intelligent, a joy to work with, very athletic, and a beautiful mover. She’s registered (HBM 2828 LVII) with the American Connemara Pony Society. Her sire is an Overall West Coast Supreme Champion Stallion and is 3rd in USEA FEH West Coast Championships and now producing outstanding juveniles qualifying for FEH Championships. This one might be his best filly to date!

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

R Blue Moon Connemara Stallion

Proven to Cross Beautifully with your Thoroughbred, Sport Horse and Pony Mares.

14.3h Black, Purebred Registered Connemara Pony Stallion Sired by Wildwych Eclipse and out of our Dual Premium Imported mare Glenormiston Amelia (Domo Cavallo Praize).

While still a very young stallion R Blue Moon has sired 10 Offspring Qualified for USEA/FEH Championships (in All 3 Regions) with scores as high as middle 80s.

R Blue Moon offspring are Tall, Athletic, Attractive Individuals with excellent Gait Quality and outstanding talent over the fences. Owners report excellent rideability, sensibility and trainability.

Top Quality Purebred and Half Bred Connemaras Available

Listings included in this article are randomly selected and confirmed to be current and active before inclusion. Sport Horse Nation features user-generated content and therefore cannot verify or make any warranty as to the validity or reliability of information.

Tamie Smith Has Two in Top 10 After Arville CCIO4*-S Dressage

By on Aug 20, 2021 4:00 pm -

Photo courtesy of Tamie Smith.

Belgium’s Arville CCIO4*-S dressage wrapped Friday and day one leader Ingrid Klimke with her veteran partner SAP Hale Bob OLD will lead the pack heading into cross country. The pair scored a 23.9, a fair margin below second positioned Sophie Leube with Jadore Moi (25.1) and third-positioned Dirk Schrade with Casino 80 (27.4), both representing Germany and sitting on the same spots they did yesterday. The fourth place position, held by Belgian Lara de Liedekerke-Meier with Ducati d’Arville (27.4), also went unchallenged.

The scoreboard saw a shift after that, with Michael Jung/fischerWild Wave (28.1), Christoph Wahler/Carjatan S (28.7) and Katrin Norling/Fernando-Ukato (29.1) squeezing in just ahead of the USA’s Tamie Smith with her two top placed horses from yesterday, Danito (29.4, 8th place) and Mai Baum (29.9, 9th place) — check out a recap of those rides here. Her third ride, Solaguayre California, sits 21st (36.1).

Tamie says she was very pleased with all the horses, even if she wasn’t at the very tip-top of the scoreboard after dressage as is her modus operandi in the States. It’s all relative when it comes to international competition; no points can be left on the table, a reality reiterated at Tokyo Olympics.

“Dorothy, we’re not in America anymore,” Tamie said after her test with Solaguayre California today. “But I am here to learn how to be better and what it takes to become the best so this is all an exercise of what I need to do to get to the next level.”

Photo courtesy of Tamie Smith.

“Although each horse had some mistakes in there tests I felt they put in top performances and the highlight was going on a hack with Ingrid Klimke today with SAP Hale Bob. She was so nice and complimentary of me and all of the horses and offered help finding a gallop near Johann Hinnemann’s place. I can’t help but feel so grateful to get to spend some time competing with the best in our sport!”

Both show jumping and cross county phases are planned for Saturday; the area is expected to get eight inches of rain on Sunday so they moved the schedule to accommodate the four-star division.

As for her plans in the jumping phases, Tamie says, “This event will be a steady run for all of them. Mai Baum (with whom she was named to the US Team for CHIO Aachen CCIO4*-S) will just do about half of the course as he has traveled so much with Tokyo and although he is needing to go out of the start box for his brain before Aachen, I want to do the right thing by him and make sure I don’t press him prematurely.”

Photo courtesy of Tamie Smith.

Photo courtesy of Tamie Smith.

“Danito and California are aiming for Boekelo so this event will be their prep run to have a nice strong steady run. We won’t be going out to be winning this weekend; it is all about the long game for these horses,” Tamie says.

The Rüdiger Schwarz-designed course, she says, has some serious combinations that will test bravery as well as accuracy: “It’s on quite a bit of terrain so it will be an excellent fitness run and it’s nearly seven minutes long.”

Overall, Tamie says, “I can only describe this place as magical. Kai and Lara and the entire team here have outdone themselves and in such a league of their own. I’m absolutely honored to be able to compete here with the likes of the best in the world. It really is incredible.”

Top 10 after dressage:

Arville International CCIO4*-S: [Website] [Entries] [Live Scores] [Schedule] [Cross Country Maps]

#EventerProblems Vol. 273 from Ecovet: Never Ever Smell the Pits of Your …

By on Aug 20, 2021 9:00 am -

… cross country vest, and other wisdom from this week’s edition of #EventerProblems. Remember to tag ’em on social!

Volunteer Nation: Nine Events That Could Use a Helping Hand This Weekend

By on Aug 19, 2021 11:00 am -

The act of volunteering isn’t just confined to events. Go get involved in your local community. Exhibit A: Ebony Horse Club, whose goal is to raise aspirations, life skills and provide opportunities through horses and youth work to youngsters in south London.

“Without the skills and dedication of our volunteers, we simply could not operate.  We are immensely grateful to all our volunteers for the time they give to contributing towards Ebony Horse Club’s success. We fully appreciate the value of volunteers and see what a difference they can make to our work and the young people we reach.

“Our volunteers help out with all aspects of running the club from helping in the office, getting stuck in on the yard and working directly with our members. If you are interested in giving your time please email [email protected] and we will send you a volunteer application form. We are particularly keen to hear from people who have experience working with young people.”

We’re excited to see more and more opportunities like this develop stateside as well. Seek out local opportunities to share your love of the sport –I took my “Little” in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program to jump judge with me at an event, and she still talks about it to this day.

As always, you can earn merit points when you donate your time through the USEA’s Volunteer Incentive Program. Registering to volunteer through EventingVolunteers.com makes it easy and seamless to both find a job and shift as well as learn what your role will entail.

USEA Events

MARS Great Meadow CCI-S – August 18th, 2021 to August 22nd, 2021

Ocala Summer II H.T. – August 21st, 2021 to August 22nd, 2021

Full Gallop August H.T. – August 22nd, 2021

Caber Farm H.T. – August 21st, 2021 to August 23rd, 2021

2021 USEA American Eventing Championships – August 21st, 2021 to September 5th, 2021

Other Events

USEF/USDF “Too Hot to Trot” Dressage – August 18th, 2021 to August 19th, 2021

Waredaca Purina Checkerboard Summer Challenge Starter – August 21st, 2021

Fair Hill International Derby Cross – August 19th, 2021 to August 21st, 2021

USEF/USDF “Too Hot to Trot” Dressage – August 21st, 2021 to August 22nd, 2021

Go volunteer. Go Eventing!

Equitana USA to Feature Clinic with Phillip Dutton, Horsemanship Seminar with Max Corcoran

By on Aug 18, 2021 11:00 am -

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

The 2021 iteration of Equitana USA is fast approaching, taking place Oct. 1-3 at the Kentucky Horse Park. It’s got something for everyone, and eventers’ ears will prick to know that Phillip Dutton and Max Corcoran are among this year’s featured clinicians.

Phillip will present four sessions in total, two on Friday and two on Saturday, all in the Rolex Stadium.

  • Friday, Oct. 1, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. EST: “Introducing Jumping for Green Horses”
  • Friday, Oct. 1, from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m.: “XC Training in the Arena”
  • Saturday, Oct. 2, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.:”Jumping Gridwork”
  • Saturday, Oct. 2 from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m.: “Jumping Related Lines”

Additionally on Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m., Phillip will be joined by para equestrian Sydney Collier and show jumper Dani Waldman for a “2020 Tokyo Olympics: Everything You Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask” panel discussion on the Shadowfax Mane Stage.

Max Corcoran cheers during the 2019 Fair Hill 3* victory gallop. Photo by Abby Powell.

USEA president and supergroom Max Corcoran will a Horsemanship Seminar, presented by the USEA, on Saturday from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. in the Pegasus Arena

The Equitana USA exhibition and trade show features all breeds and classifications of the horse and is the first in-person, North American iteration of the world’s largest equine trade show in over a decade. The programming is wide-ranging and jam-packed; other industry notables on the lineup include Nic Roldan, top U.S. polo player; Grand Prix dressage rider and trainer Micah Deligdish and 2016 Dressage Olympic Bronze medalist Laura Graves; coach and educator Colton Woods; and natural horsemanship trainer Pat Parelli … and many, many more!

The list of celebrities appearing or presenting at EQUITANA USA includes former Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear, an active rider and horse enthusiast who is serving as the official spokesperson for the event. Queer Eye for the Straight Guy alum Carson Kresley, an American Saddlebred owner and exhibitor, is also scheduled to appear.

Panels and roundtable topics include sessions on improving accessibility to equine activities for minority populations, connecting self-care with horse care, horsemanship, sustainability, and the social responsibility of industry influencers, among others. Special events for 2021 feature a masterclass from the Retired Racehorse Project, a jump chute exhibition from Spy Coast Farm, and the Horseless Horse Show presented by USHJA. Family fun will be had with kid-specific content like horse painting with Breyer, a bouncy horse bash presented by the EQUUS Foundation and a meet the horses and ownership seminar with Rising Starr Rescue.

The day events are also followed each evening with the premier equine theatrical production EQUUS Evolution in the Alltech Arena.

Click here to view the full schedule of events, sessions, panels and activities. Tickets are now on sale,  you can also find tickets for the event, along with those for EQUUS Evolution.

Tickets for the full EQUITANA USA show are $27 (ages 13+), $10 (ages 6-12), and free for children five and under and include on-site parking, free United States Equestrian Federation fan membership and admission into the Kentucky Horse Park, which includes access to the International Museum of the Horse, American Saddlebred Museum and Hall of Champions. EQUUS Evolution evening event tickets start at $30 for value seating.  For more information about EQUITANA USA, visit www.equitanausa.com or www.kyhorsepark.com.

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: Maximum Pony Power!

By on Aug 17, 2021 9:00 am -

In the market for a new four-legged partner? You may find your unicorn on our sister site, Sport Horse Nation. To help with the search, we’re going to feature a selection of current listings here on EN. We include the ad copy provided; click the links for videos, pricing and contact information.

Lexi Mefford and Princess. Photo by Xpress Foto.

Why drive a pontoon boat when you can zip around on a jet ski? As a 5’1″ full-grown, going-on-40-year-old woman who found her mid-life crisis sportspony on Sport Horse Nation a few years back, SHN ads for the 14.2-and-under set always catch my eye.

My own fun-sized lady, aptly named Princess, is a dream on all levels: she tackles the big jumps like a little monster and yet is so polite and proper on the ground you could take her to a fancy tea party. That is owed to the work put in by her former owner/forever co-parent, Lexi Mefford (né Funk), who loves Prin deeply and with whom I’ve kept in touch. This year, in fact, when life circumstances were keeping me from the saddle, Lexi graciously agreed to reignite their special partnership for a few months at least and longer if they wanted. I got to cheer them on at Champagne Run Horse Trials last month, where they finished 5th and looked as happy as can be to be doing what they love most again together.

Lexi Mefford and Princess. Photo by Xpress Foto.

Princess will never be for sale — she has a happy forever home with me — but I’d like to offer her story as an anecdote of a sales story gone right, a true fairytale win-win for all. There’s a place in the world for every horse, and it is SHN’s goal to be a conduit for perfect connections.

Here are three event ponies (plus one foal with super-pony breeding) recently listed on SHN. Check out all classifieds here.

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Incredible Sport Pony Alert!

An absolute gem — Yukon Gold is an approximately 8-year-old, 13.3 hand pony who seems to rival warmblood movement and easily takes up leg! Yukon is currently schooling at training level and could easily move up to first level dressage in the near future. Although he shows great passion for dressage and seems to enjoy this most, Yukon could also excel at any career such as a low hunter/jumper pony, fox/coyote hunter, beginner novice eventer, or working equitation pony. He has competed at multiple unrated eventing and jumping competitions on the East Coast, and just completed a rated dressage show in MT. Extremely competitive and consistent dressage scores. Yukon loves water, trail rides (can go front, middle, or in the back of groups), has no fear of ditches, dogs, or other scary objects and is an overall prince. He has been introduced to cattle sorting and seemed to enjoy this as well. Yukon does think he is 17 hands, the herd leader, and is not for timid riders. Yukon could make a stellar pony club mount! Yukon is to a 5 star approved home only. 15K. No leases, no extended or overnight trials. Price will increase as he continues to advance in dressage and jumping. Located in Western Montana.

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Grey American Sport Pony

ISO: An adventurous, fun-loving small human to take over this magical ride. But seriously, don’t let the angelic, unicorn look fool you; this pony is going places and will take you with her if you are willing. At 14.1 hh, this Appendix-Welsh cross will fancy you around the dressage ring and then turn right around and gallop you around the xc course without breaking stride. “Boo” has been competing and finishing in the ribbons at both Beginner Novice and Novice levels and is currently schooling Training and even Modified level questions in xc and 1.0m show jumping. She is for sale at no fault of her own; her rider is moving up levels with another horse and wants to ensure Boo can continue to do what she loves. This little mare shows no fear competing against the bigger horses, knows her job and has fun doing it. Boo would best be suited in a training program for she is a confident and athletic pony that requires a rider that is serious about competing. She loves to show off and loves to be challenged! Located in Plainwell, MI.

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Gorgeous bay 2021 Dutch Warmblood colt out of full sibling to Theodore O’Connor

Looking for his person! “Raisin” is a stunning bay colt who has three super gaits with great elasticity, and a large rangy canter that should eat up the cross country course! He is a very confident foal and charms anyone who comes to meet him. He has a pedigree packed with proven sporthorse lines and should be an absolute blast to ride. He is sired by KWPN stallion Waterford, who is sired by Consul and the damsire is the stallion Farmer. Farmer is by Voltaire, all exceptional bloodlines for a jumping horse.

This colt’s dam is Louisiana Catahoula, a full sibling to the super pony Theodore O’Connor. She is 3/4 Thoroughbred, 1/8 Arab, and 1/8 Shetland and is registered with the American Warmblood Registry.

He should mature to about 15.3 hands – sire is 16.2 hands and dam is around 15 hands. His 3/4 brother is 15.3 hands at 6 years old.

This colt can be registered KWPN-NA or with the American Warmblood Registry, depending on preference of the buyer if purchased soon. He is available to be seen in beautiful rural upstate New York about 10 minutes from Cornell University. Located in the Finger Lakes wine region.

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

SAFE & FUN LARGE PONY FOR SALE

Cocoa Puff – 13 year old 14.2 welsh cross
Cocoa is the quintessential kid’s pony or petite young rider/AA looking to have a fun and safe ride. She is a perfect Pony Club pony; in fact, she won the 18” division at a Regional PC Show Jumping Rally! Cocoa has lovely ground manners and travels like a champ; she is the same pony on and off property. She is never barn or buddy sour, and loves to hack with or without a buddy. She jumps banks, ditches, and water — no problem! She has perfect feet, she stands for the farrier, and self loads onto the trailer. For the last year and a half Cocoa has been piloted by an 11-year-old rocking around Maiden, and hasn’t had a single stop on XC. She is ready to find her perfect match and could easily continue eventing or head over to the jumper ring. Cocoa has competed up to Beginner Novice and is schooling Novice height. Cocoa Puff is loved very much so a 5* home is a must. Located in Clayton, NC.

Listings included in this article are randomly selected and confirmed to be current and active before inclusion. Sport Horse Nation features user-generated content and therefore cannot verify or make any warranty as to the validity or reliability of information.

Your FEI European Championships for Ponies Live Stream Hook Up

By on Aug 13, 2021 11:00 am -

Rocket blasters: engaged! Derda Agata of Poland and Kosma compete in FEI European Championships for Ponies jumping in 2019. Photo by Leszek Wójcik / FEI.

It’s pocket rockets on parade at the 2021 FEI European Championships for Ponies, which is underway this week at Strzegom in Poland. These are SERIOUS ponies, y’all. If these young riders were old enough to drive cars, they’d have bumper stickers that say “My pony could beat up your horse.”

All three Olympic disciplines are represented. Germany won gold in the dressage competition, with individual tests taking place through the weekend. Jumping is underway, with The Netherlands and France currently tied for first. You can find live streams for all the disciplines at the FEI European Championships for Ponies Youtube playlist here.

The FEI knows what we want — PONIES!!! — and when we want it — NOW!!! — and so they’re kindly live streaming all three eventing phases. Eventing dressage is already underway, so be sure to set your alarms this weekend to watch these tiny titans of our sport do their thing.

The schedule in EST:
Dressage Day 1 – Watch the replay below!
Dressage Day 2 – Friday, Aug. 13, 2021 at 1:50 AM EST
Cross Country – Saturday Aug. 14, 2021 at 1:50 AM EST
Show Jumping time TBA (we’ll update this post, so check back!)

Go ponies. Go Eventing!

Thursday Video: It’s Not Too Soon to Get Hyped for the Maryland 5-Star

By on Aug 12, 2021 8:00 pm -

We’re just two months away from the inaugural Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, coming to Elkton, MD this October 14-17! Are you going? Let us know in the comments, and get your tickets today at maryland5star.us/tickets.

A few of the latest developments from the event:

Keep up with all the latest at the event website. See you there!

 

Half Halt Illustrations Combines Hannah Hatherell’s Twin Passions for Horses & Art

By on Aug 12, 2021 1:00 pm -

Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High. Illustration by Hannah Hatherell.

When we saw Hannah Hatherell’s illustrations of top eventers like Oliver Townend, Jessie Phoenix and Selena O’Hanlon, we knew we had to get to know her better. The Canadian-based graphic illustrator specializes in equine subjects and started Half Halt Illustrations in March 2020 as a way to stay creative during the first pandemic lockdown in Ontario. Hannah is an active equestrian and owner, she has worked with horses in multiple disciplines for over 15 years.

Half Halt Illustrations combines her passion for creativity and love of the equestrian sport. We recently asked Heather a few questions about her background in riding and her work as an artist.

Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class. Illustration by Hannah Hatherell.

What is your background in horses? In art? How did the two grow to become intertwined?

I’ve been around horses my whole life but officially started riding lessons when I was six. I grew up in New Jersey and got my first pony when I was 10, a Norwegian Fjord named Delfinia. I joined the New Jersey Region Pony Club and did rallies and ratings with Delfinia, and later with my coach’s horse Tuxedo. This exposed me to so much and I ended up loving dressage just as much as jumping, but cross country was where I felt most at home.

When I was a teenager, I took some local drawing classes and did a lot of fine art pencil and charcoal work, but I wasn’t as focused on drawing horses at that point. The creativity with horses came through photographing my friends riding, rating and competing. After moving to Canada and completing an education in photography in 2014, I got the bug to learn graphic design.

While I was still learning design in 2017, we started a horsey secret Santa group with friends. It wasn’t until then that I started applying my design skills to make illustrations of my friends and their horses as my secret Santa gifts. In 2020 when the pandemic first hit, I was stuck at home and had a lot of time on my hands. That’s when I got the idea to start a small business out of it which is how Half Halt Illustrations was born.

Col. Earl F. “Tommy” Thomson and Jenny Camp. Illustration by Hannah Hatherell.

I notice that cavalry images feature in some of your works. How did you become drawn to those?

I always had a fascination with eventing but didn’t really know how it all started and wanted to learn more about its roots. After reading FEI’s A History of Eventing I went down a bit of a research rabbit hole—I had no idea it was originally a cavalry test. The evolution from the original cavalry test to today’s format is mind-boggling. This inspired me to start illustrating more of the cavalry origins of the sport and spread some knowledge.

Jessica Phoenix and Wabbit. Illustration by Hannah Hatherell.

What inspires you about eventing and its athletes, both horse and human? 

That’s a tough one because so much about eventing is inspirational. But the bond shared between horse and human throughout the three phases is pretty astounding. It’s incredible to watch the top athletes place total trust and fearlessness in each other—how those combinations communicate is an art form in itself. To become effortlessly fluent in that form of communication is a big driver fueling my own goals as an equestrian.

Brooke Massie and Serendipity. Illustration by Hannah Hatherell.

Are any horses and riders on your bucket list to illustrate in the future? 

So many! If I had to pick just a few though I’d love to illustrate Laura Collett and London 52, Julia Krajewski and Amande de B`Neville as well as Sam Watson and Flamenco.

Thanks, Hannah! You can view more of her work on Instagram (@halfhaltillustrations), Facebook and her website. 

Volunteer Nation: 10 Events That Could Use a Helping Hand This Weekend

By on Aug 12, 2021 11:00 am -

For every horse and rider competing at the Championship level, there’s a sideline full of folks playing important roles to make it all possible. Photo by Leslie Wylie at the 2016 AEC in Tryon.

The 2021 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds are fast approaching, and they’re in need of volunteers! The AEC takes place Aug. 31 – Sept. 5 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., and whether you are competing, spectating or supporting volunteering is a great way to see the action up close.

From the USEA:

Volunteers are needed starting as early as Saturday, August 28, and volunteers who sign up for these early days will be able to get a behind-the-scenes look at a championship-level cross-country course designed by the Tokyo Olympic course designer Derek di Grazia. Di Grazia will design all cross-country courses at every level of the AEC.

The AEC volunteers will also be rewarded! Every AEC volunteer will receive a goodie bag which will include exclusive AEC volunteer apparel. In addition to the goodie bags, AEC volunteers will have the opportunity to be featured on the USEA website. After the AEC has concluded, the USEA will feature one special AEC volunteer in an article published on www.useventing.com and USEA social media. The volunteer will be selected at random, but the more days you volunteer, the higher your chances are of getting picked to be featured.

Do you only have time to volunteer for a morning or afternoon? AM and PM slots are available, making it easy and flexible for all AEC competitors to volunteer. Check out the AEC competition schedule here.

As always, you can earn merit points when you donate your time through the USEA’s Volunteer Incentive Program. Registering to volunteer through EventingVolunteers.com makes it easy and seamless to both find a job and shift as well as learn what your role will entail.

USEA Events

Otter Creek Farm Summer Horse Trial (August 13th, 2021 to August 15th, 2021)

Waredaca Recognized Summer Horse Trials (August 13th, 2021 to August 15th, 2021)

Windridge Farms Summer HT (August 13th, 2021 to August 15th, 2021)

The Summer Event at Woodside (August 12th, 2021 to August 15th, 2021)

GMHA Festival of Eventing August Horse Trials (August 13th, 2021 to August 15th, 2021)

OTHER EVENTS

St Augustine Pony Club Summerfest Starter Trials (August 14th, 2021)

Majestic Oaks Schooling (August 14th, 2021)

Jenny Camp Horse Trial (August 9th, 2021 to August 15th, 2021)

Stone Gate Farm Mountain Trail Challenge (August 13th, 2021 to August 15th, 2021)

Meadowcreek Park – AEC Warmup Schooling CT (August 15th, 2021)

Go Eventing Volunteers!

Tuesday Video: Tina Cook & Billy The Red’s Surprise Visit to Ebony Horse Club

By on Aug 10, 2021 5:00 pm -

When an eventing star trots in for tea… Watch the moment Team GB’s Tina Cook and horse Billy The Red visited Ebony Horse Club for a surprise hack through the streets of Brixton.

The Ebony Horse Club is a program dedicated to improving the education and aspirations of young people through contact with horses. Olympic show jumper One particularly unique feature of this program is its location. Set right in the heart of Brixton, a vibrant district in South London with Caribbean roots, horses find themselves against a backdrop of apartment buildings. Ebony Horse Club was opened with the assistance of charitable donations and lottery funding in 2011. The Club is the brainchild of Ros Spearing, who drew on her experience as a single mother whose life had been shaped by horses in conceptualizing the idea of bringing access to more youth in the community.

Want to learn more about the impact the Ebony Horse Club is having? Click here to read a great profile.

#EventerProblems Vol. 272 from EcoVet: Post-Olympic Edition

By on Aug 10, 2021 4:33 am -

What are we going to do now that the Olympics are in the rearview?

One thing is for certain: while the Olympics may come and go, #EventerProblem are forever. Here’s your latest batch.

“I’m glad they clarified the horse is an equestrian…..” — Michelle

“Watching the xc at Tokyo and I definitely thought there was a horse called “DONKEY DAN”. I liked it in the dressage and I was most impressed by the comical name for the Australian Kevin McNabs pony. Now I know it’s called ‘Don Quidan’ I’m less interested.” — Em

Emma: ” BBC News – the couple trying every Olympic sport 😂👏👏👏”

Catherine: “So who gave him the commentators job for the eventing show jumping on Eurosport?”

Deez: “This is how I am going to explain Eventing to non-horse people from now on. “Imagine they let a bunch of showjumpers loose in a mini-golf course and they are allowed to jump over everything.”

“So I’m sat here watching the Olympic showjumping and particularly one poor Chinese rider who didn’t even manage to jump the first fence 🙈 and it made me think:
– You know that feeling when you’re thinking of entering an event but it’s miles away and you’re not sure if it’s worth it for just one or two rounds of SJ?
– When you do enter that event which is miles away and the bastard horse doesn’t even jump a single jump in the arena.
– Tokyo is a helluva long way to go for one bad SJ round.” — Alice

Go Eventing.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Website, EN’s Ultimate Guide to Tokyo 2020, Latest News, Dressage Order of Go, Team Start Order, EN Olympic Digest Newsletter Signup, Live Stream Guide, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Tailgating Passes for the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill Are Now on Sale!

By on Aug 5, 2021 3:00 pm -

Reserved tailgate spots allow fans to be right next to the dynamic cross country action! Photo by Michelle C. Dunn.

Cross country tailgating has become a sport in and of itself in recent years, with fans lining up beside galloping lanes to watch the action in the company of friends (and snacks!). As of today, reserved tailgate spots are now available for the inaugural Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill.

The event takes place Oct. 14-17 at the newly constructed Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Elkton, Maryland, with cross country held throughout the day on Saturday, Oct. 16. There’ll be plenty of action to go around: In addition to the CCI5*-L, the event will feature a CCI3*-L, which is serving as the USEF CCI3*-L Eventing National Championship, and The Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships Presented by Dubarry of Ireland.

“We are so excited to offer this fantastic tailgating experience at the inaugural Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill,” said Marissa Melzer, Ticketing & Hospitality Director. “The chance for families, friends and/or co-workers to be together outdoors for a day at beautiful Fair Hill this Fall, while enjoying their favorite tailgating menu so close to these elite athletes and horses is sure to be an experience they’ll never forget!”

Image via Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill.

There are a variety of opportunities strategically selected at several locations including 74 “Rope Side” spots along the four-mile cross country course with incredible views of both the 5* and 3* competitions, and another 49 spots along the 3* course with views of the 3* competition only but within short walking distance of the 5 Star course. There will also be an option for general tailgating spots within easy walking distance of both courses. Shuttle service will be available for convenient access to Retail Vendor Areas, concessions, and other entertainment going on in the infield.

Purchase of a Tailgating Pass (Rope Side or General) includes one (1) car pass and six (6) Saturday General Admission tickets. All Rope Side Tailgating spaces are 16 ft. across and sufficiently deep to allow cars to back in and tailgate in the front of their space with lots of room. Tailgating Tents can be rented for use in Rope Side spaces for $250 (personal tents will not be permitted for the safety of the athletes, horses and spectators). Tailgaters will be allowed to bring in their own food and beverage. An assortment of picnic style catering options will be also offered for purchase by the event caterer as well.

Prices range from $500 for a space along the 5 Star course, $300 for a space along the 3 Star course and $250 for a General Admission space. Additional General Admission tickets beyond the six included with the space can be purchased to accommodate extra guests at a cost of $35 in advance. Tailgating move-in will be Saturday morning prior to the start of the 3 Star competition with flexibility for a second round of move-in (and move-out if desired) in the mid-day period between the completion of the 3*competition and the start of the 5*.

Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

To reserve one of only a select amount of these exclusive Tailgating spots along with further information, competition schedule, and all other ticket packages, visit www.Maryland5Star.us or contact Marissa Melzer at [email protected].

Event Organizers will continue to monitor health and safety protocols. Updates and policies as deemed necessary will be available through the event website

A Message From Stable View

By on Aug 4, 2021 5:30 pm -

Photo courtesy of Stable View.

Time and time again, Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina has proven itself as one of the most conscientious and safety-first event venues in the country. That a fatal cross country schooling accident, involving a very experienced rider and horse over a Training Level obstacle, took place last month is evidence that there is no matter how many precautions and provisions are in place, equestrian sport is inherently risky.

Irregardless, Stable View has clearly taken the incident to heart in a profound manner, examining and cross-examining itself to locate the best path forward while honoring a life lost. It has been EN’s experience with the venue’s owners that this is representative of their spirit: heart always on their sleeves, invested in the equestrian community not as a business but as a family.

After canceling all competitions and closing for two weeks following the accident, Stable View issued the following message:

The past two weeks has given all of us at Stable View a period of time to reflect.

Although the following proposals would not have mitigated this tragedy, we hope to learn and improve as a facility.

With due respect to those no longer with us, the following initiatives have been taken…

  • The Stars and Stripes, Union Jack and South Carolina flags have been returned to their positions above the Pavilion.
  • Close to the Schooling Field entrance we are going to install a Blue Light Call Station. This will be connected to 911 and the Stable View Office.
  • We are going to upgrade our security camera — at present this is an aid for us so that we can see if anyone is riding. We’ll upgrade the system to show greater detail and provide more useful information from stored data
  • Over the past two weeks, Stable View staff have been trained in CPR and AED.
  • AED machine to be positioned by existing entry signage.
  • New Emergency Information notice to be positioned by entry signage

In addition, we are undertaking the following…

  • A Magnolia Grandiflora has been planted in the Cross Country Schooling Field
  • One of the islands on the old cross country course is to become a natural Memorial Garden
  • There will be a Moment of Silence prior to Cross Country at the August Eventing Academy also the start of Oktoberfest 4* Cross Country.

Thank you for your diligence and sensitivity, Stable View. Rest in peace, Annie.

Go Eventing.

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Olympic Eventer/Jumper Peder Fredricson

By on Aug 4, 2021 5:00 pm -

Peder Fredricson (SWE) & All In. Photo Copyright © FEI/Christophe Taniére.

Peder Fredricson of Sweden — who competed as an eventer in the 1992 Olympic Games —  won an individual silver medal in show jumping last night, a repeat performance from the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

Born in Sweden in 1972, Peder has been an avid horseman all his life. His father was a veterinarian, and his brother also grew up loving horses (and still competes alongside his brother at the international level.) Peder was passionate about eventing, and found a worthy partner in Hilly Trip, a talented mare who Peder once described in an interview as his best friend. “She was like a dog, we would let her loose in the garden. The horses communicate a lot, but you have to understand them, meet their needs and be clear. Then you have a good relationship that works.”

At the age of 20, he and Hilly Trip, who was 10 at the time, were selected for the Swedish Eventing Team for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. This made him the youngest Swedish equestrian Olympian in history.

Peder Fredriicsson (SWE) and All In. Photo by FEI / Arnd Bronkhorst.

While the team did not have a successful outing, in Peder’s international debut, he placed 14th individually. It was a spectacular event for the pair, and at that point he decided to turn professional and move to England. He worked with many of the best eventers in the world, including Mark Todd, and went on to finish 13th in the 1994 WEG in The Netherlands with another horse, Down Under. Luhmühlen today reminded us that he earned top accolades there, too.

But over the next few years, Peder’s ambitions would shift, and he opted to move into the show jumping arena and he hasn’t looked back. He was a member of the silver medal-winning Swedish show jumping team at the 2004 Athens Games, and finished fourth individually. He also competed at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, Normandy and Tryon. And then there was his infamous “dab” on the podium in 2016 that has been shared thousands of times around the world.

Whether you love him for his dab, his eventing skills, or his (multiple!) show jumping silver medals, he’s one worth loving. The eventing family congratulates you on your win, Peder, and you’re welcome back any time. (Though when asked if he’d ever be brave enough to try eventing again, his response was, “I guess I’m as brave now, just not as foolhardy.”)

Watch Peder in action via this recent FEI video:

Go Show Jumping, and Go Eventing.

Exercise-induced muscle damage that results in sore, stiff muscles and poor performance is a common problem in athletic horses. Vitamin E plays an important role in preserving optimal muscle function by interrupting the production of harmful free radicals that can damage critical tissues. When vitamin E levels in muscle tissue are inadequate, the risk of exercise-induced muscle damage is increased.

Elevate® Maintenance Powder supplies the natural vitamin E your horse needs to neutralize damaging free radicals and support peak performance. Keep your horse at the top of his game with Elevate natural vitamin E. 
The horse that matters to you matters to us®.
Not sure which horse supplement best meets your horse’s needs? Kentucky Performance Products, LLC is here to help. Call 859-873-2974 or visit KPPusa.com.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Website, EN’s Ultimate Guide to Tokyo 2020, Latest News,Final Scores , EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Weekend Winners: Double-Decker Edition

By on Aug 3, 2021 9:00 am -

Course Brook Farm H.T. Starter – Saturday winners, Peyton Pouliot & Chase Is On The Case. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlands Foto.

Weekend Winners slipped through the cracks last week because I was too busy biting my nails over the Olympics to use a computer keyboard. Forgive me! But we’re back this week and making up for lost time — not only do we have this week’s Weekend Winners, but we have last week’s as well. That adds up to: Course Brook Farm H.T., Coconino Summer H.T. I, Hunt Club Farms H.T., Hunt Club Farms H.T., Catalpa Corner Charity H.T., Olney Farm H.T., The Event at Rebecca Farm, USPC Festival Eventing Championships, Horse Park of New Jersey II H.T. and Silverwood Farm H.T.

Phew! Let’s get to it, starting with a winner gallery from Course Brook Farm by Joan Davis of Flatlands Foto. Congrats to all!

Course Brook Farm [Results]
Preliminary – Saturday: Hannah Smith Bittersweet’s & Aurora (33.9)
Preliminary – Sunday: Katie Murphy & Joshua Tree (44.40)
Modified/Training – Saturday: Eliza Quigley & Contaro (31.70)
Modified/Training – Sunday: Julia Hulett & Say So Slew (28.50)
Training – Saturday: Maggie Sheehan & Chequers Superstar (30.7)
Training – Sunday: Stephanie Baer & Chesterland’s Farewell (33.9)
Novice – Saturday – A: Barrett D’Orio & Marketscan (28.6)
Novice – Saturday – B: Alison EastmanLawler & Lexington II (26.2)
Novice – Sunday – A: Cali Oliver & Primitive Promise (28.60)
Novice – Sunday – B: Beth O’Malley & Love Your Rebel Attitude (30.00)
Beginner Novice – Saturday-A: Joie Kennon & Mistan (31.5)
Beginner Novice – Saturday-B: Danielle Gabree & Cantefina HPF (28.3)
Beginner Novice – Sunday-A: Gabriella Curtin & Oceana (26.8)
Beginner Novice – Sunday-B: Chelsea Canedy & Little Einstein (28.00)
Beginner Novice – Sunday-C: Jill Truitt-Langan & Blue Collar Dollar (28.5)
Starter – Saturday: Peyton Pouliot & Chase Is On The Case (32.80)
Starter – Sunday: Kiara R. Ham & Steven’s Getting Even (27.5)

Coconino Summer H.T. I  [Final Scores]
Preliminary-Open: Frederic Bouland & Fairwinds 54 (65.4)
Training-Open: Ghislaine Homan-Taylor & Mameluke (27.4)
Novice-Open A: Manuela Propfe & Master Swatch (29.7)
Novice-Open B: Elena Bronisz & Tullamore Justice (28.3)
Beginner Novice-Open: Taylor Lindsten & Wonderella (24.8)
Beginner Novice-Rider: Jessicca Butorac & Ready Freddy (24.8)
Intro-Open A: Emma Luke & My Boy Cairo (30.3)
Intro-Open B: Katie Willis & Mica Jameson (31.4)
Pre-Comp 1-Day: Michelle Enge & McQueen (29.2)

Hunt Club Farms H.T. [Final Scores]
Open Prelim: Martin Douzant & Beall Spring Seahawk (26.2)
Prelim Rider: Hailey Gahan & Painted Sky (28.0)
Modified: Martin Douzant & Harthill Diamond (26.1)
Open Training: Ashley Adams & Quicksilver Gräns (28.0)
Training Rider: Kate Thresher & Silver Bop (28.6)
Novice Rider A: Dawn Cregger & Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter (25.7)
Novice Rider B: Sydney Sturgill & Papa Pablo (27.1)
Open Novice A: Allison Springer & Dazzling Nocturne (26.4)
Open Novice B: Brooke Bayley & Fernhill Cork Blues (29.4)
Beginner Novice Rider: Leigh Wood & Dollar Mountain (20.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Edward Ewbank & Dolly (23.8)

Catalpa Corner Charity Horse Trials [Final Scores]
Open Prelim: Julie Wolfert & Namibia (41.4)
Prelim Rider: Kristina Whorton & Finnigan (29.4)
Junior Training Rider: Laney Widmer & Gretta Roze (32.3)
Open Training: Anna Banks & Primrose BMD (31.6)
Training Rider A: Virginia Klecker & Dauntless Dido (54.2)
Training Rider B: Katie Sisk & Long Legs Lenore (29.1)
Junior Novice Rider: Ava Davis & Valentine (36.1)
Novice Horse: Megan Walters & Double Ocho (37.2)
Novice Rider A: Miriam Copeland & D’Stinctive (29.8)
Novice Rider B: Jamie Stephens & Dodger (33.3)
Open Novice: Maura Daugherty & Hat Trick (27.9)
Beginner Novice Horse: Lauren Schiller & Chairman of the Board (29.5)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Gavin Nielsen & Garden Valley Gold (34.0)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Julie Simmons & Pray for Rain (29.3)
Junior Beginner Novice: Kaela Rudolph & High Dollar Dreams (38.6)
Open Beginner Novice: Amanda Steffen & Mardi Gras Magic (31.5)
Open Starter: Andria Pooley-Ebert & Patrick (37.3)
Starter Rider: Jaelyn Comer & Loughnatousa Cedrick (33.7)

Olney Farm H.T. [Final Scores]
Open Modified: Kathleen Bertuna & Excel Star Harry (31.9)
Open Training: Ryan Wood & Woodstock Argo (26.4)
Junior Rider Novice: Samantha Gilley & Senatro (29.1)
Open Novice: Ryan Wood & Ben Lomond (25.5)
Junior Rider BNovice: Nadya Firor & Risk It (24.2)
Open BNovice 1: Jodie Potts & Cat’s Confetti (33.9)
Open BNovice 2: Kendra Adey & Cleandra FLF (26.1)

The Event at Rebecca Farm [Final Scores]
CCI4*-Long: James Alliston & Paper Jam (38.8)
CCI3*-Long: James Alliston & Nemesis (33.1)
CCI2*-Long: Tommy Greengard & Joshuay MBF (29.4)
CCI4*-Short: Maya Black & Miks Master C (33.8)
Open Intermediate: Marc Grandia & Sunsprite Seryndipity (46.1)
Open Preliminary A: Jordan Linstedt & Granquist Staccato (24.8)
Open Preliminary B: Lilly Linder & Vergano (32.8)
Open Preliminary C: Jordan Linstedt-Granquist & Lovely Lola (31.2)
Jr. Open Training A: Maddie Smith & Versace (33.4)
Jr. Open Training B: Lizzie Hoff & Hsh Explosion (28.3)
Sr. Open Training A: Tommy Greengard & Leonardo Diterma (23.9)
Sr. Open Training B: Tarra Gakstatter & Ravaye (23.9)
Sr. Open Training C: Julie Williams & Dark Horse (27.5)
Sr. Open Training D: Natascha Eickert & Mächtig Maus (30.2)
Training Three-Day: Shelby Murray & Reverie GWF (30.7)
Jr. Open Novice A: Kayla Dumler & Mateo (23.3)
Jr. Open Novice B: Keira Evans & Khaya (31.9)
Jr. Open Novice C: Brielle Scott & Finoxen Wind (29.3)
Sr. Open Novice A: Jane Musselman & Engapore (20.7)
Sr. Open Novice B: Jacqueline Cameron & Penny Lane (27.6)
Sr. Open Novice C: Alyssa Tucker & Arya (28.8)
Sr. Open Novice D: Jennifer Haglin & Socke B (24.3)
Sr. Open Novice E: Tom Temmerman & Boundless (29.8)
Sr. Open Novice F: Hailey Patno & Quality On Trend (32.1)
Sr. Open Novice G: Kelsey Holmes & Karel H (27.9)
Novice Three-Day: Earl McFall & Iluminada (27.0)

USPC Festival Eventing Championships [Results]
Open Training: Anabelle Friend & Fine With Me (34.1)
Open Novice 1: Elizabeth Love & That’s Right Officer (32.4)
Open Novice 2: Lillian Van Winkle & Cleopatra (32.4)
Modified Novice: Sophie Schroeder & Fernhill Prada (35.2)
Open Beginner Novice 1: Kylie Carter & Jinx (22.5)
Open Beginner Novice 2: Samuel Moreland & Smarty Pants Wb (26.5)
Modified B.Novice: Sutton Wetcher & Good Juju (33.5)
Pony Club Teams
Modified Junior Beginner Novice: Carolina Modified Junior Beginner Novice (168.30)
Standard Junior Beginner Novice: Carolina/Deep South/WNY Standard Junior Beginner Novice (131.80)
Standard Senior Beginner Novice: Midsouth/Tri-State Standard Senior Beginner Novice (121.10)
Standard Senior Novice: DS/GL/NJ/South (142.10)
Standard Junior Novice: Virginia Standard Junior Novice (118.80)
Standard Junior Training: Delmarva/South Standard Junior Training (171.88)
Standard Senior Training: Carolina/Great Lakes/Sunshine Standard Senior Training (213.00)

Horse Park of New Jersey II H.T. [Results]
Open Intermediate – A: Cole Horn & MBF Cooley Permission To Land (36.9)
Open Intermediate – B: Kurt Martin & D.A. Lifetime (43.2)
Open Intermediate – C: Kurt Martin & Delux Z (40.3)
Open Prelim – A: Kurt Martin & Compromise Elsewhere (29.6)
Open Prelim – B: Isabel Finemore & Heartbeat (35.0)
Open Prelim – C: Bruce Davidson Jr. & Invito (28.5)
Modified A: Ryan Wood & The Optimist (28.0)
Modified B: Kelly Beaver & Excel Star Pluto (24.6)
Open Training A: Katherine Rivera & HVL Hocus Pocus (28.2)
Open Training B: Mia Braundel & Stracathro Solitary Minstral (24.1)
Training Rider A: Will Rowland & Over Rider (38.1)
Training Rider B: Rylie Nelson & Harvest Moon (31.6)
Novice Rider A: Hillary Marnane & Celtic Heritage (27.8)
Novice Rider B: Samantha Schwartz & Rumble Fish (34.30)
Open Novice A: Ryan Wood & Ben Nevis (28.3)
Open Novice B: Ryan Wood & Ben Lomond (28.5)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Cynthia Sansone & Accordingly (29.1)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Meagan Hennessy & B E Never Say Never (27.2)
Open Beginner Novice: Michael Pendleton & Clemons T (24.5)

Silverwood Farm H.T.: [Results]
Open Training: Kristin Kubsch & CMF Royal Diamond (28.1)
Open Novice A: Lisa Hickey & Blackjack (27.9)
Open Novice B: Jessica Reoch & Kit (31.2)
Open Novice C: Katarzyna Jachymczyk & Sock Monkey (24.8)
Open Beginner Novice A: Tanya Moths & Oke Boys Impression (24.0)
Open Beginner Novice B: Karner Matilda & Sweet Child O’Mine (31.1)
Open Beginner Novice C: Samantha Bell & ChestfulofTreasure (31.4)
Starter A: Rehgan Weber & Noah (25.0)
Starter B: Krista Piwonka & AC Recognized First (31.4)
Starter C: Kim Capretta & Golden Opportunity (31.4)

Tuesday News & Notes from Legends Horse Feeds

By on Aug 3, 2021 1:01 am -

It’s great to see historically marginalized equestrians begin to get some comeuppance on the Olympic stage. That includes racial and ethnic minority groups as well women, who until relatively recently weren’t even allowed to compete in the Olympic eventing. It wasn’t until the 1964 Games — which, coincidentally, were also held in Tokyo — that the sport of eventing would see its first female Olympian. Lana duPont rode her Maryland-bred Thoroughbred, Mr Wister, to a podium finished, having helped the USA to a team silver medal.

Their competition wasn’t without dramas. Recalling her cross-country round, Lana said: “We fell hard, Wister breaking several bones in his jaw. We were badly disheveled and shaken, but Wister was nonetheless eager to continue. We fell a second time near the end of the course, tripping over another spread. When we finished, we were a collection of bruises, broken bones and mud. Anyway, we proved that a woman could get around an Olympic cross-country course, and nobody could have said that we looked feminine at the finish.”

Equestrian sport often pats itself on the back for putting women and men on a level competitive playing field, but systemic inequality and disparities still exist. Watching Julia Krajewski win individual gold yesterday, I was telling my husband of the many obstacles she had overcome just to get to the Games, much less fight her way to the highest step on the podium, including the loss of her champion partner Chipmunk FRH when he was purchased (by the German Olympic Committee for Equestrian Sports, no less) to give to Michael Jung.

“Wait,” he said incredulously. “Are you telling me the German Equestrian Federation bought the best horse out from under this woman who just won gold to give it to a man who won … ?”

Mmmhmmm. We’re certainly making strides, but there’s a long way still to go.

Holiday: National Black Women’s Equal Pay Day

The U.S. Center for SafeSport has found international show jumping champion Rich Fellers ineligible to participate in the sport. On July 16, SafeSport changed Fellers’s status to “ineligible,” listing his misconduct as “criminal disposition; criminal disposition involving a minor; criminal disposition-sexual misconduct.” Rich was arrested June 7 on four counts of second-degree sexual abuse by the Tualatin (Oregon) Police Department after he was indicted by a grand jury.  [Chronicle of the Horse]

Prizes, prizes, prizes! Hundreds of thousands of dollars are up for grabs at the 2021 AEC. The event is just a month away and will take place Aug. 31 – Sept. 5 at the Kentucky Horse Park. [USEA] On a related note, Piedmont Equine is partnering with the 2021 MARS Great Meadow International to provide prize money to U25 Riders. That event takes place in The Plains, Virginia on August 19-22, 2021 and offers CCI4*-S, CCI3*-S, CCI2*-S, and Preliminary divisions. [USEA]

Onward to Olympic show jumping! Qualification is done and the top 30 will move forward to fight for the Individual medals tomorrow. The biggest surprise of the night was that not a single member of the crack American side have made it through. Jessica Springsteen (Don Juan van de Donkhoeve) and Kent Farrington (Gazelle) collected four faults each while Laura Kraut (Baloutine) collected eight. They won’t be in action again until the Team competition begins on Friday. Full report on EN to come soon. [Live Scores]

Video:

#EventerProblems Vol. 271: Super Special Tokyo Olympic Edition

By on Jul 30, 2021 9:00 am -

#EventerProblems don’t go on hiatus during Olympic week — they just get more … team-spirited. Here are our top nine for Tokyo.

#9. Trying to make sense of the new Olympic format (here’s a cheat sheet)

#8. Trying to forget that 208 nations have gathered together during a global pandemic

#7. Getting up in the middle of the night to watch the livestream …

#6. … and then going to work

#5. When non-horsey people remember once every four years that there’s a sport called eventing …

#4. … and then immediately forget again as soon as the Olympics are over

#3. When the EN server crashes in the middle of cross country live updates

 

#2. When suddenly out of nowhere you start feeling super aggressively patriotic …

#1. … yet no matter who ends up on the podium, you know you’re going to need a box of tissues.

Go Eventing.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Website, EN’s Ultimate Guide to Tokyo 2020, Latest News, Dressage Order of Go, Team Start Order, EN Olympic Digest Newsletter Signup, Live Stream Guide, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Watch The Event at Rebecca Farm Live Stream

By on Jul 24, 2021 10:30 am -

Thank you, Ride on Video!

In an ideal world we’d all be in Kalispell, Montana this week, watching eventers do their thing beneath bright blue skies that seem to go on forever. A warm breeze fluttering our hair, lavender-hued mountains towering in the distance, maybe looking forward to a little dip in the lake at the end of the day … Sadly, Montana is, like, REALLY far away for most of us. Thankfully event organizers in cooperation with Ride on Video have gone above and beyond to provide extensive live stream coverage so that all of us stuck at home can follow along.

Here is the schedule (add +2 hours to convert Mountain Time to Eastern Standard Time):

The Event at Rebecca Farm Live Stream

Riders, be sure to support our sport’s hardworking videographers and photographers by purchasing your official Rebecca Farm videos (Ride on Video) and photos (Shannon Brinkman Photo). Please visit The Event at Rebecca Farm Facebook Event for more information.

The Event at Rebecca Farm: Website, Ride Times, Live Scores, Volunteer, Halt Cancer at X, Live Stream, Show Photographer, EN’s Coverage

This week’s coverage is brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products – and you can win some cool KPP swag and receive a discount on product all year long just by entering through this simple survey. Good luck!

Volunteer Nation: Six Events That Could Use a Helping Hand This Weekend

By on Jul 23, 2021 3:30 pm -

Shout-out to the United States Pony Club! Speaking for myself (graduate H-A TVPC, where my peeps!?!) it was truly where it all began. A great way to support these young riders is to volunteer, whether at Festival, a regional rally or your local pony club event or activity. If you aren’t already hooked in, just reach out! I promise they’ll be appreciative of the offer and will more than likely find a way to put you to work! To connect with your local club, visit the USPC national website here.

As always, you can earn merit points when you donate your time through the USEA’s Volunteer Incentive Program. Registering to volunteer through EventingVolunteers.com makes it easy and seamless to both find a job and shift as well as learn what your role will entail.

 

USEA Events

Horse Park of New Jersey Horse Trials II (July 21st, 2021 to July 25th, 2021)

Hunt Club Farms USEA Recognized Horse Trials (July 22nd, 2021 to July 31st, 20210)

Other Events

USPC Festival Championships (July 19th, 2021 to July 24th, 2021)

Fair Hill International Derby Cross (July 22nd, 2021 to July 24th, 2021)

Stone Gate Farm July Mini Trials (July 24th, 2021 to July 25th, 2021)

July POP (July 25th, 2021)

Go Eventing Volunteers!

#RoadToTokyo: Settling In, Sunshine and Sushi!

By on Jul 23, 2021 11:30 am -

First off, a big birthday shout-out to Team USA alternate Tamie Smith! She’s having a memorable one, no doubt. We hear it’s also Evie Dutton’s birthday as well — happy birthday and safe travels to Tokyo, Evie!

It looks like the squad is settling in well, stretching their horses’ legs and enjoying the amenities. Glad also to see that they’ve wasted no time in getting familiar with the sushi capitol of the world.

One also imagines Boyd sneaking out to visit one of Tokyo’s world-famous cat cafés (if quarantine restrictions allow). There are over 50 of them in the city, and yes, they’re exactly what you imagine: cafés where you can sip coffee or tea while surrounded by cats. Photos or it didn’t happen, Boyd!

Here are a few more snaps from other equestrian teams:

Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Website, Latest News, EN Olympic Digest Newsletter Signup, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Thursday Video: Piggy French Reflects on a Missed Tokyo

By on Jul 22, 2021 5:30 pm -

As we reported earlier this week, Piggy March and Brookfield Inocent, who had been tapped as traveling reserve pair for the British squad, will now be replaced by 2018 World Equestrian Games champion Ros Canter and her longtime partner Allstar B. Always graceful, Piggy reflects on the change and how she’ll be kicking on with her summer, and wishes the team good luck.