Leslie Wylie

EN TRENDS:

Latest Articles Written

Helmet Cam update

By Leslie Wylie on Mar 20, 2012 2:45 pm -

Peter and Henny on the WEG XC

Earlier today the FEI issued a clarification on the use of Helmet Cams at events. Here is the clarification.

Use of camera on athletes or equipment

Further to the new provision in article 140 of the General Regulations and approved during last FEI General Assembly in Rio that states that “the use of cameras on Athletes or equipment (such as on Protective Headgear, head covering or carriage) shall not be permitted, unless otherwise specifically agreed by the FEI. An Athlete’s decision to wear a camera while competing shall always be voluntary and at the Athlete’s own risk.”, the FEI wishes to clarify the following:

For any FEI named Events, such as the Rolex FEI World Cup™, Reem Acra FEI World Cup™, FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping and FEI Championships, any request to use a camera on Athletes or equipment must be submitted to the FEI Headquarters (to the relevant Director of the Discipline concerned) for consideration and decision on allowing or not allowing such use. Any request shall be submitted to the FEI Headquarters at least 48 hours prior to the Competition. Any request received by the FEI Headquarters after such deadline may be considered by the FEI, at its discretion.

For any other competitions, the Ground Jury, taking into account the recommendation of the Organiser on site, shall be entitled to decide to allow or not allow the use of cameras on Athletes or equipment depending on the circumstances.

In taking the decision on the use of cameras, the Ground Jury shall ensure that such use does not present any safety concerns or risks and/or does not place the FEI or any other party in jeopardy of breaching any of its contractual obligations or responsibilities. If this is not the case, the use of cameras should be permitted.

It is clear from this clarification that this is puts the Helmet Cams obviously at the feet of broadcasting and sponsorship rights rather than as a safety issue. Eventing no longer has a World Cup, although the new Nations Cup which is completely euro-centric has kind of replaced it. In my mind for Eventing only these new Nations Cup, HSBC Classics series (i.e. the four star events like Rolex and Badminton etc), WEG and the Olympics require you to seek the permission of the FEI sport director.

In all other cases, you can seek the permission of the ground jury at an event. Much simpler and much more clarity. The only thing remaining is to see if there are any remaining questions left from my article earlier in the week?

Really the only question left unanswered if how the FEI Sport Director confirms with the TD and Ground Jury that a particular rider has clearance. for a change this could be relatively simple, I assume that in Eventing’s case Catrin will email the OC and hopefully the officials before the event starts.

So Helmet Cams live to fight another day, Peter Atkins needs to email Catrin Norinder to gain permission to wear his now famous Helmet Cam and also noting that the BBC as host broadcaster want the footage and BE want copyright. Clear as mud.

Yours in Eventing,

ESJ

ESJ's Olympic Team Selections Part 4 – The Aussie

By Leslie Wylie on Mar 16, 2012 2:45 pm -

Stuart Tinney and Panamera, winners at the Aus Three Day CCI4* last year

If you have been following this series so far, you will know I have tackled the Canadian, US and New Zealand teams to date and to be honest while I did fuss over some of the selections, the teams almost picked themselves. Team Australia is much harder and one I have deliberated over for a few days before putting pen to paper. When I spoke with Eventing High Performance Manager Prue Barrett in January she told me that about 75% of the Aussie Elite or A Squad could easily be on the team. I thought, “yeah right.” As it turns out, that is not that far off the mark.

The problem I had when selecting an Aussie team was I ended up with too many combinations that should go–nice problem I guess. Another titbit from Prue was that eight horses (most likely) will make it into camp (in the UK). Those that go into camp that don’t make the team will have the chance to run at Burghley or some other European events.
So here it goes.

First up, I think there is only one pair that doesn’t need a CCI run in the next few months to prove their worth for the team–a fitness run only will see Stuart Tinney and Panamera on the plane. Panamera won the Australian Three Day (Adelaide) in November. This mare has been ticking along with nice results for the last few years but has sat in the shadow of Stuart’s former number one mount Vettori and also Watermark Greyson. Both of these horses have recently been sold to Italian riders. Stuart has been successful in marketing his horses in Italy in recent years, both Ava and Carrera who have now been ridden under the Italian flag for a few years came from Stuart.

Before we leave Stuart despite having sold two four star mounts in recent months, he still has two other reserve mounts on the list, Orchard Hill and Pluto Mio. Both very good horses but Panamera is the pick of the bunch.

First up on the Aussie Elite list is Bill Levett and One Two Many NJ, this horse is a relatively green mount for veteran Bill. They had a great result at Saumur last year in the CCI 3* coming second, adding just 2.4 time to their dressage score, but failed to back that up with a solid performance at Blenheim where they picked up 20 XC plus 12 time. At this stage these guys would make my maybe list–a little green, but a solid top 10 Badminton would change that. Badminton will be their first four star attempt.

Next on the list is a personal favourite of mine Chris Burton and HP Leilani. Following a good start at Burghley with a mid 50s dressage test, Leilani, who had never quite seen a fence like the Cottesmore Leap before, misread it resulting in the mare getting hung up momentarily and Chris being popped out of the saddle. Burto was devastated and tried to re-route to Blenheim the following week but failed on a technicality so the pair did Pau with a credible 8th place despite 3 rails in the jumping. This pair have a brilliant World Cup record, 1 x 1st, 2 x 2nd, 1 x 3rd and a 12th not bad. Leilani is a very long horse and she may not be ideal for the tight, twisty track at Greenwich. For now, this pair go on the maybe list, and we will see what the spring results bring.

Next up on the Elite list is Clayton Fredericks with three mounts Be My Guest, Dunges Laurent Rose and Bendigo. All three could go to Greenwich and place top 5, so I guess the question for the selectors is which one to take. Given that Clayton is based in the UK, they have the luxury of picking the best of the three as a close as possible to the Games. Right now my choice would be Be My Guest. This is a relatively new mount for Clayton who picked up the ride from Dirk Schrade of Germany in mid 2010. At their first outing the copped an E on XC but since then they have been top 20 with four of their seven results in the top 5. A third at Burghley followed by a 5th at Rolex make this combination real contenders.

Next on the list for Clay is Dunges Laurent Rose, this 13 yo mare has managed top 10 on their last six outings including two 4* events, my only concern with this mare is she regularly pulls a rail or two, in fact in her last nine outings she has managed a clear jumping round once. Not enough to exclude her from a team, but enough to think about.

Finally comes Bendigo. This horse is the greenest of Clayton’s four star mounts but shows some real talent with solid finishes but low 40s and sometimes low 30s dressage, this horse is capable of sub 50 finishes and even sub 40 is not out of the question. Personally although greener that Dunges Laurent Rose, I would put this gelding as Clayton’s number two mount at this stage.

Here it gets interesting with Craig Barrett and Wendela Jamie. Craig is Prue’s husband. This pair has been consistently building a partnership for a while now. They have achieved top 20 results (most of them top 10) in their last 13 outings, but for me are a little light on three star results with only four–no four star–however their win at Melbourne last year puts them in the mix. I honestly think they will need a top 5 at the upcoming Sydney CCi3* to go into camp, I wonder if being Prue’s partner actually puts an extra impediment in his way, Sydney will be the litmus test. Craig also has Sandhills Brillaire that got a nice third place last weekend in amongst three other horses mentioned in this story. The Sydney event will be VERY interesting.

Emma Mason and F1Pharinelli at Scone last weekend, they finished 2nd to Shane Rose and Taurus

Next up is Emma Mason and F1 Pharinelli. This combination is very interesting. Emma for starters is a professional rider with her eyes firmly on winning gold, but unlike most pro riders, she holds down a day job. Emma is a successful and hard working Lawyer. Legend has it that she is up each morning before dawn, working horses with a torch on her head and then after day break, jumps in the shower and heads to work before, fitting in a game of touch football and heading home for some more work with the horses.

Emma and F1 Pharinelli have been clocking up some miles with some great results. Lets start with this stat: in 16 starts at CIC3* to CCI4* they have one result outside the top 15, a 23rd. In three four star starts, a 3rd, 6th and 15th. These guys are consistent, I want them on my team for pure tenacity. They will go to camp, no sweat. This pair came second last weekend at the tough Scone CNC3* event, hot on the heals of Shane Rose and Taurus.

Another combination that doesn’t always get the headlines but are great performers are Natalie Blundell and Algebra. This pair has two top tens at Adelaide (CCI4*) under their belts and has been top ten in their last six, 3* events. Nat and Algebra will be traveling to New Zealand in a few weeks as part of the Aussie Trans-Tasman team to compete at Kihikihi, this will be their first overseas trip and will be a make or break for their team prospects. I have no doubt they could perform in London and have them as a maybe.
Sam Griffiths and Happy Times made a return to top level competition last year following the injury sustained by the gelding at WEG in 2010. With a 4th at Badminton and 16th at Burghley they have proven that little if any legacy remains from the injury. What does concern me is that in their last three events they have had 3 or 4 rails. To pull three rails in the team show jumping at an Olympic Games can mean the difference between gold and that warm bucket of spit t
hat is fourth place. I have
my concerns. A clear jumping round at last years Burghley had them in third place in front of Mary King and King’s Temptress, instead they dropped three rails and down to 16th.

Sonja Johnson has the stunning thoroughbred Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison following the retirement of her long term partner, Jag. This horse presents a quandary for me. On face value the results look good, but I am not convinced. It is hard to argue with the close second behind Stuart Tinney at last year’s Adelaide. But that result included a 4 for jumping which they get at almost every outing. The dressage is improving but tips below 50 only on occasion. I know this pair is coming to some amazing stuff, I’m just not convinced that will happen at London or whether Normandy is a better bet? That said, Sonja being the tough bugger she is will probably go out and win Sydney in a few weeks with a clear show jumping round and prove me wrong, I hope she does.

There are two other Aussie horses on the Elite Holding (read injured) list both have been out of action since mid 2010, so I don’t expect them to be making a return for London–Paul Tapner’s Inonothing and Bill Levett’s Hippolyte.

Having looked at the Elite List, 15 other horses are on the A Squad List (excluding Stuart’s two, already discussed). What real London prospects lie on the list? These guys are an outside chance given the talent above, I think for the Aussie based combinations they need a top 5 at Sydney, for the UK based combos a top 10 at Badminton would get you to camp. There are also two pairs in the US to watch for the Aussies. EN favourite Henny is making his comeback with Peter Atkins as legal dramas and colic now seem to be well in their past. Their stunning Red Hills result will certainly put them back in the eyes of the selectors and I hear they are diverting from Rolex to Badminton which will be very interesting. While they are not currently on a the A squad, a Badminton top 10 would put them on the list and in contention for London. Kadi Eykamp and Double Rivers Dillon at on the A squad list too and a brilliant Rolex could bring them into contention too.

Personally I only see a couple of horses on the A squad that are likely to make camp with a great performance in the coming months.

Christine Bates and Adelaide Hill at Adelaide last year

Christine Bates and Adelaide Hill are a pair that can pull off some brilliant results. They may be a little green at three star level but they had a great Adelaide despite an issue at the keyhole and I would not be surprised at all to see this pair in the mix after Sydney, especially after their great result at Scoen last weekend.

Megan Jones has her mount Kirby Park Allofasudden also primed to steal a spot on the plane to the UK. This TB gelding has lived much of his career in the shadow of Jester, who I think may have been retired after last year’s Adelaide, following a long battle for fitness following illness leading up to WEG in 2010. Allofasudden has had only four results in his FEI history outside the top 10 and the most recent of those was in 2007, this horse is consistent. With plenty of three star experience and three four star starts with the worst result a 6th last year (the other two were second). It is hard to see why this horse is on the A squad rather than the Elite squad. If they continue with current form and pick up a top 10 in Sydney, they deserve to be on the plane.

There are three more combinations left that interest me. First up is Shane Rose and Taurus. This pair is looking to make up for their jumping round at Adelaide which dropped them from the XC lead to 5th place with four rails. They are capable of really good dressage and Shane on XC is a sight to behold. They are also traveling to Kihikihi on the Trans-Tasman team and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Shane make bold bid for selection with a great Kihikihi and then backing up four weeks later for the Sydney three day.

Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliot have shown flashes of brilliance, with plenty of top 10 places to their names. My concern is consistency, I am not sure they are consistent enough under pressure to take to London, what I do know is that the selectors will keep a close watch on them and if the start of their season is anything to go by, they will be in the money. At the season opening Sydney midweek event in the CNC 2* class, Tim held four of the top five places with Billy Elliot in first place.

Wendy Schaeffer has been busy in Europe with her team of horses mostly focusing on gaining a spot on the Aussie jumping team for London. But Wendy is an Eventer at heart has been plugging away with Koyuna Sun Dancer. While they were eliminated at Pau in the jumping (of all phases, Wendy is a brilliant jumper), this horse won Adelaide in 2010. I expect to see them run at Badminton (this was confirmed just the other day) and they may come into the mix at that stage.

Finally, Kevin McNab has chucked his hat into the ring thanks to Frances Stead and the team at Clifton Eventing, he will be traveling to Rolex with Clifton Pinot. After Rolex this pair will head to the UK and keep preparing for London, so who knows what will happen.

OK, so here goes the prediction.
Stuart Tinney – Panamera
Clayton Fredericks – Be My Guest
Emma Mason – F1 Pharinelli
Megan Jones – Kirby Park Allofasudden
Shane Rose – Taurus

I am squeezing out Sam Griffiths and Happy Times. This pair would easily make the list if their jumping improves but at the moment they sit just outside the top 5. So there you have it, the best Aussies at the moment. But there are at least five more combinations snapping at their heels, any of those could jump into contention with a brilliant result in the next 8 weeks. In the meantime there will probably be several voodoo dolls made in my honour.

Yours in Eventing and voodoo dolls,

ESJ

To helmet cam or to not helmet cam??

By Leslie Wylie on Mar 16, 2012 11:00 am -

The identity of this horse and rider have been concealed to prevent any future unspecified consequences from the FEI

By now you will have heard about the great Helmet Cam Kerfuffle. Thanks to Visionaire for stealing my thunder. Anyhow let me go back a week.

Last weekend I was Technical Delegate (TD) at a local Aussie event in Scone and I was asked if I knew about the new helmet cam ban. To be honest I didn’t but I had seen one young lady out on XC earlier in the day wearing one, so I went looking for the rule.
I searched in the Aussie & FEI Eventing rules as well as searching the emails I get from the FEI and couldn’t find anything. It was decided by the Organising Committee at Scone that they wouldn’t allow the use of helmet cams on the grounds.
After returning home and getting sent the link to Peter Atkins & Henny’s run at Red Hills I thought I should do some more digging. I found a reference on Horsetalk to a press release made by Horse Sport Ireland welcoming the new rule. It even made reference to the fact that it was in the General Regulations of the FEI. So I went to the current version of the FEI Gen Regs for clarification.
This is a screen shot of the rule as it stands (at time of writing this).

Article 140 from the FEI General Regs as at 16 March 2012

So, here I was thinking, OK the FEI have introduced this new rule, to come into effect next year, that’s why I haven’t heard anything. Plenty of time to get it sorted because to be honest this rule gives me more questions than answers. So lets break it down, there are two parts to the rule, firstly wearing “properly fastened Protective Headgear will be mandatory” to be honest as a bit of a safety nut I am happy with this, this has been standard in Australia for years now.

The second part is where it gets interesting. “The use of cameras on Athletes or equipment (such as on Protective Headgear, head covering or carriage) shall not be permitted, unless otherwise specifically agreed by the FEI. An Athlete’s decision to wear a camera while competing shall always be voluntary and at the Athlete’s own risk.”
I have/had a number of questions, many remain unanswered by the FEI, although they have promised a clarification to the relevant people soon.

My Questions and answers where I have received them. My questions to the FEI whilst directed at the sports and press teams were answered by the FEI legal team which speaks volumes to start with.

ESJ: – Is the ban on helmet cams in place now or does it come into effect in 2013?
FEI: – The FEI General Assembly approved last November the new wording of article 140 of the FEI General Regulations. Please note that the provision pertaining to the use of camera on athletes or equipment is applicable as of 1 January 2012 (your reference to 2013 only applies to the use of properly fastened protective headgear).
Note (ESJ), as a side point, this is as clear as mud in the rules as they stand at the moment, there is no differentiation of timelines in the written rule.
FEI: – Please note also that there is no ban on camera on athletes or equipment, but such use shall only be permitted if agreed by the FEI. Any use of camera shall not present any safety concerns or risks and/or shall not place the FEI or any other party in jeopardy of breaching any of its contractual obligations or responsibilities.

ESJ: – If riders are able to obtain a exemption from the FEI to wear one, what is the process and to whom specifically do they apply?
FEI: – Finally, please note that we will revert back to you regarding the practicalities of the implementation of such new provision as this is currently being finalized and should be available shortly.
Note (ESJ), So as it stands, cameras are not banned but they must be approved by the FEI. There is currently no process for obtaining approval from the FEI. A rider must apply to someone? FEI Legal, FEI Sport Division or the Ground Jury at an Event? Nobody knows. To be clear, this rule has been in place for 2 1/2 months now and was voted on in November. You would have thought these questions have come up by now…….

ESJ: – For those riders who obtain permission to use the cameras, how do I as an official or in fact any official particularly the XC warm up Marshall’s know they have permission?
FEI: – Refer above, there is no answer to that question at the moment.

ESJ: – Is there a list? It is public? If so where can it be obtained from?
FEI: – Refer above, there is no answer to that question at the moment.

ESJ: – Is the ban in relation to safety or is it question of Sponsors rights or is it a deeper question of damage control?
FEI: – Refer above, there is no answer to that question at the moment.
Note (ESJ), Interestingly this lies in the part of the rules regarding protecting the Athlete. There have been many comments about sponsorship rights, and I am sure this has something to do with the rule, especially with the Games this year. The IOC is notoriously protective of its sponsors rights. They have special teams searching venues for brand names of non-sponsors and have them removed.
I have also heard this may be about safety, i.e. having a hard object strapped to the outside of your helmet when you hit the deck could be nasty. I can imagine that most helmet manufacturers wouldn’t be too keen to wear a liability claim in such circumstances.
Finally there are those that believe this is about controlling bad pictures about the sport, imagine a graphic video of a rider hitting the dirt and being seriously injured or worse and this ending up on youtube. I might buy this explanation if every second person at an event wasn’t videoing or photographing every move on their camera or cell phone. Bad pictures will happen.
As a TD a helmet cam may help prove or disprove a case of error of course or otherwise. In fact in one of Peter and Henny’s earliest videos that did happen and the rather graphic conversation between Peter and myself was edited from the public video.
So there you have it, the story so far, the FEI have promised to further clarify some of my questions and the more I read the more questions I have, for instance, the rule makes no mention of attaching the camera directly to the horse, is this allowed.
This is another case of creating a rule without a clear plan or a communication strategy. Personally I am frustrated because I as a TD will end up on the wrong end of a frustrated rider with an unclear rule, that is pretty ordinary.

Finally I leave you with a comment from the FEI Legal team on consequences:
FEI: – As to the consequences for wearing a camera without permission, this should be decided on site by the FEI Officials in accordance with the FEI General Regulations. The sanctions would depend on the exact circumstances and could consist of a warning, an official yellow warning card, or a fine for example.
Note (ESJ) Serio
usly, a yellow card or a fin
e. Wow, I can’t even work out what we are banning the use of cameras for, let alone how one obtains an exemption, I sure as hell don’t want to be the one handing out a penalty on those grounds.

Hopefully in the coming days or weeks the FEI will further clarify their position, explain the rule, processes and penalties in more detail. In the meantime boys and girls, please be aware that wearing a Camera on yourself or your gear whilst competing at an event both FEI and National levels (don’t even get me started on how to apply FEI Gen Regs at Nat events but let me tell you they do apply) you may be penalised.

Hopefully we haven’t seen the last Henny cam, only time will tell, in the meantime I leave you with Peter and Henny at Red Hills last weekend. Run Henny Run.

Yours in Eventing

ESJ

Monday News & Notes from Success Equestrian

By Leslie Wylie on Mar 12, 2012 1:20 am -

Phillip & Mystery Whisper

I didn’t even go to Red Hills this weekend and I’m worn out. Checking live scores every three minutes, reading EN constantly, watching Henny’s helmet cam over and over again while crouching in two point over my laptop… it can really wear a girl down. It’s early in the season, though. I’ll be in better shape by Galway.

Red Hills: [Final Scores]

Full Gallop: Sarah Cousins was to Full Gallop what Phillip Dutton was to Red Hills, sweeping 1st, 2nd and 5th in Intermediate A, 3rd and 6th in Intermediate B, and a 6th in Prelim. You have permission to sleep in this morning, too, Sarah. Holly Payne took the blue in Intermediate B. A special EN shout-out to our own Abbie Golden, who finished in 7th in Intermediate A. [Final Scores]

Southern Pines: Another Sarah, Sarah Dunkerton, held down 1st and 2nd in JYOP. Lucia Strini won Open Prelim and Kimberly Keeton won Prelim Rider. [Final Scores]

Flintridge HT & CT: Tristen Hooks won Open Prelim, while Gina Economou did a double sweep on Open Training and Open Beginner Novice. [Final Scores]

Random, useless trivia:
-A grand total of 12 Fernhill horses were out competing this weekend in USEA recognized events. I will recite their names to you: Fernhill Stowaway, Fernhill Fugitive, Fernhill Cubalawn, Fernhill Flutter, Fernhill Eagle and Fernhill Fortitude (Red Hills); Fernhill Flag (Full Gallop); Fernhill Shannondale, Fernhill Okay, Fernhill Solar, Fernhill Colin and Fernhill Teddy Two Two (Southern Pines). P.S. Eventing Nation, my offer still stands to buy the first person who registers their horse as “Fernhill Fail Sauce” a beer.
-Eleven horses with the surname “Full Gallop’s” were competing at, you guessed it, Full Gallop.
-The “Best Name of the Weekend” award goes to Quit Bucking, ridden by Shellie Sommerson in Open Beginner Novice at Southern Pines.

On other fronts:

Hands down, former eventer Jim Koford gives the best interview of anyone in the dressage world. In his latest, he describes his ambition to go to the World Cup Final on his borrowed horse, Pharaoh, whom he describes as “a scrappy little street fighter.” They’re in a good position to do so, as he’s qualified for one of the two places reserved for North America. The championships are in the Netherlands, and Koford says he will get there “if [he] has to put on water wings… and start dog paddling now.” A big batch of EN karma is headed your way, Jim. Good luck! [Dressage-news]

A fire destroyed a thoroughbred breeding facility in Round Lake, Illinois, on Saturday afternoon. The fire started when hot embers from a fire the owner started on the other side of the property to clear brush blew toward the barn. Six of nine horses stabled in the barn perished in the fire. [Chicago Tribune]

Controversy continues to surround a proposal for a new horse park in Aiken. Most recently, Jenne Stoker wrote a letter-to-the editor supporting the idea that a feasibility study should be conducted before the park is built. [Aiken Standard]

Rather than taking a limo, Prince Harry “drove” himself to a polo match in Brazil in a carriage pulled by two grey horses. The story includes a photo of Harry, his polo team and a random Brazilian supermodel holding up their winning trophy. [The Press Association]

Scientists were recently able to isolate the gene which allows sprint horses to run very fast. It has been traced to a few mares some hundreds of years ago, and while the gene was previously rare, now it is selected for and widespread. [Radio National]

What other people do with their helmet cams.

Bang Bang Shrimp’s Sunday links from Dubarry

By Leslie Wylie on Mar 10, 2012 11:20 pm -

Most people, when they think of Red Hills, think of expert riding, top-class horses, x-c jumps flanked by sports cars and getting smacked in the face by great swaths of Spanish moss. But when I think of Red Hills, all I can think of is Bang Bang Shrimp, a welcome party tradition compliments of sponsor Bonefish Grill. Red Hills, for all its other highly admirable qualities, stands out in my mind because it understands some lost quintessential truth about event riders: that we love fried, tangy, sauce-slathered crustaceans. Did we mention that Krispy Kreme and Barefoot Wine are also sponsors? Yep.

I’m super-envious of all of you people who are down in Tallahassee this weekend, riding and spectating and otherwise enjoying the event’s spectacular hospitality, but at least the rest of us can live vicariously through John and Samantha’s fantastic event coverage. Stay tuned throughout Sunday as they fill us in on the event’s thrilling conclusion. Here’s today’s schedule:

8:00 AM CIC Horse Inspections / Formal Jogs Adjacent to Warm-up Arena A (Open to public)
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (approx.) Stadium Jumping – Horse Trials (Reverse order of standing)
[Live Scores]

On other fronts:

Full Gallop HT: After dressage and stadium jumping today, Lynn Symansky and Donner is sitting in 1st in Intermediate A on a score of 25.2. Kelli Temple is in 2nd on Veelion with a 26.8, followed by Sarah Cousins on Sylvester Z in 3rd with a 32. In Intermediate B, we’ve got Holly Payne on Santino in 1st with a 33.2, trailed by Boyd Martin on Crackerjack with a 34.4 and Momo Laframboise on Dejavu with a 36.4. All levels will round out their weekends on cross-country today, except training, which will show-jump. [Live Scores] [Ride Times]

Southern Pines I: Preliminary and training do stadium today, while novice and beginner novice will be going cross-country. In Junior Young Riders Open Prelim, Sarah Dunkerton is sitting pretty in first and second place on Matapeake and Old Man Moel respectively. Becky Holder leads Open Prelim on Prospero, and Kimberly Keeton leads Prelim Rider on Accolade. [Live Scores] [Website]

Flintridge Horse Trials and CT: Beginner Novice thru Prelim are running cross-country today. [Schedule and Times]

Hello, Boyd

By Leslie Wylie on Mar 8, 2012 2:41 pm -

Two years ago, western rider and Horse Nation contributor Maegan Gossett bought herself a jumping horse, and she’s been trying to figure out what to do with it ever since. Recently, she discovered a new source of inspiration: Boyd Martin. (Not the real Boyd Martin-the one on YouTube.)

From Maegan:

Good Visualizations

Let me preface this article by saying that I have shown western on the American Quarter Horse Association’s circuit all my life. I know Swarovski crystals, hat shapes, too tight chaps, “extended” jogs, showmanship patterns, shining silver, and banded manes. Two years ago I bought a three-year old, 17-hand Appendix mare, because “she looked awesome jumping.” Now that I’m knee deep in her training, I still find myself thinking, “Too fast! Too fast!” when I transition into a canter or responding “But I am?” when my instructor tells me to please go ahead and gallop. I still feel a cold clamp in my gut when I turn the corner and look down the line at a “big” vertical. All I’m saying is that two years ago, buying a jumping horse seemed like a good idea. So I’ll get on with it.

Confession: I watch YouTube videos. For hours. Mainly, I watch people jumping, people schooling jumps, people setting up jumps, people jumping gymnastics, people who win and jump, people who fall of while jumping, and so on. I assume that by watching all these videos, I will absorb proper positioning, timing, and general staying on prowess through visual osmosis. I never really thought this would work… until today.

Today was a miracle, and my riding instructor will attest to that. The stars aligned and the sun shone its brilliance on me for an hour and a half today during my riding lesson. It started off with my heels suddenly getting “down” enough. Then my mare figured out how to shorten her monstrous stride. OK, fine. I figured out how to slow her monstrous stride with my seat and some blister-making half halts. She was tracking up so much at the trot that I could see her front legs, and we actually stopped once to check and make sure she still had all four shoes. Her ears were forward and she used her entire body for her upward transitions.

All of that was mind-blowing enough until we started jumping. And then BAM! I jumped with my heels down. I didn’t feel like I was going to fall off. My mare waited on me instead of rocket launching over the moon. I… could… count… strides. I almost started to see my distances. I recognized when we were coming in long and tried to find an adjustment instead of just saying, “Oh, #$@* we’re long” followed by a lot of clinging for dear life and more swear words.

So what made the difference, you ask? Well, I’ll let you in on the secret, dear Horse Nation friends.

Boyd Martin.

I’m not even kidding. For those of you who don’t know, this Aussie turned American turned my latest video obsession is a makes-it-look-almost-safe eventer. That’s my code for, “dear God, you’re really good.” So, I skipped all my classes today (I will NOT be sending this article to my parents to read for that reason) and watched hours of video of Boyd jumping, Boyd riding Dressage, Boyd practicing, Boyd standing there talking (yes, these videos wouldn’t help my riding, but he is extremely good looking so cut me some slack), and Boyd jumping freakish cross country jumps. That last one doesn’t help my riding either, but sometimes I enjoy a good scarin’ for the same reason I watched exactly one fourth of all the “Paranormal Activity” movies through a crack in my fingers.

I think that basically everyone needs to finish my article and then click on over to YouTube. I hope you have a couple hours free. Your next ride is guaranteed to be Boyd-inspired, I promise.

Note: As I type this, I am stretched out on my couch with my cat and a HUGE ice pack sitting on my back. Yes, I pulled a muscle during my overzealous, Boyd-dazed ride. But then again, I bet Boyd ices his muscles all the time. Now, I think I have a few more videos to watch before I pass out on muscle-relaxers.

Boyd & Neville Bardos at Burghley in 2011:

For more news, commentary and ridiculousness, visit Horse Nation.

Vermont’s Thursday News & Notes from Devoucoux

By Leslie Wylie on Mar 7, 2012 10:51 pm -

–Consider it the Bonnaroo of eventing: a six-day, three-competition Festival in the middle of summer in the middle of nowhere. Plans for the competition include a Novice/Training long-format three-day Tuesday through Thursday, a Beginner Novice/Novice one-day horse trial on Friday, and a two-day Beginner Novice through Intermediate horse trial over the weekend.

If you’re into heatstroke and running your horse on rock-hard ground, you probably won’t like GMHA’s Festival. But if you’re into well-designed courses (Tremaine Cooper, assisted by Janine McClaine, have created up-to-level, educational tracks with new jumps and complexes at all levels) and $10,000 in prize money (whaaa?), you might want to pencil this one into your show schedule.

In addition to the eventing competition, the Festival intends to “provide a fantastic, Vermont-themed competitor and spectator experience.” The organizers have lined up several activities and welcome amenities, including competitor parties (yep, that’s plural), a trade fair featuring Vermont products as well as nationally-known equestrian and other vendors and family entertainment.

If you’re looking for something to keep the significant other busy, South Woodstock and the surrounding area offer plenty in the way of recreation (golfing, biking, hiking and climbing). Woodstock, pop. 3,232, is supposed to be pretty charming itself. Ladies Home Journal voted it “The Prettiest Small Town in America,” so there’s that, too. [US Eventing]

-On a related note, a new year-end awards program was announced today for riders competing in the state’s USEA recognized horse trials: the Vermont Eventing Challenge. The program is sponsored by Strafford Saddlery and presented by Green Mountain Horse Association, South Woodstock, Hitching Post Farm, South Royalton and Huntington Farm, South Strafford, VT. Qualifying shows for 2012 will be Hitching Post Farm Horse Trial (May 19 – 20) GMHA’s June Horse Trials (June 2- 3), Huntington Farm Horse Trial (July 14 – 15) GMHA August Horse Trials (August 10 – 12) Huntington Farm Horse Trial (August 18 – 19) and GMHA September Horse Trials (September 15 – 16). [GMHA]

–Hipster cred: National Public Radio has featured not one, but two equestrian-themed stories this week as part of its “Countdown to the Olympics” series. The first was a story Tuesday on Hiroshi Hoketsu, a 70-year-old Japanese rider who earned a spot at the London Olympics for dressage. Hoketsu was 67 when he competed at the 2008 Games in Bejiing. Japanese officials are still deciding whether they’ll let him compete. You can listen to the full story and read the transcript here.

The second story was broadcast Wednesday morning and concerned itself with air travel for horses. The story was titled “How do you ship a horse to the London Olympics? Carefully, and via FedEx.” It featured an interview with Tim Dutta, whose international horse transport company will be flying between 50 and 60 horses to London this summer. Read/listen here.

–David O’Connor has agreed to oversee the development of a new international caliber eventing course for Cedar Run Horse Park, located just west of Collingwood, two hours north of Toronto. O’Connor praised the property’s footing and terrain, describing it as “a fantastic piece of ground for horses and people.” The course will be unveiled on July 29 at the first of two Ontario Horse Trials Association events scheduled to take place at Cedar Run in 2012, ranging from Beginner to Preliminary levels. [Horse-Canada]

–Competitor and patron of the equestrian arts Bruce Duchossois thinks building a horse park in Aiken is a bad idea. In a letter to the Aiken Standard, he outlined his concerns about the proposed construction of a horse park in Aiken County.

He pointed out that comparable facilities, such as the Olympic Horse Park in Atlanta and the Kentucky Horse Park, are struggling, and that the costs of maintaining such a facility would far outweigh any income that might be generated. He also noted that it would result in numerous show-date conflicts and that the park would be built too far outside Aiken to be beneficial to the city itself.

“I feel strongly that this group should channel their efforts to promote and support the existing equine venues and respect the integrity of our equine community,” Duchoissois wrote, and encouraged readers to voice their opinions at an upcoming town hall meeting. [Aiken Standard]

HN Today: Two years ago, western rider Maegan Gossett bought herself a jumping horse, and she’s been trying to figure out what to do with it ever since. Recently, she discovered a new source of inspiration: Boyd Martin. (Not the real Boyd Martin–the one on YouTube.) [Hello, Boyd]

Best of the Blogs: Sinead Halpin’s “Find Your Limits By Passing Them (Or Hitting a Tree)”[COTH]

Top of the Tweets: From our Friends at FLAIR (@FLAIRstrips): “Don’t forget. We R doing FREE FLAIR Strip applications @ #RedHills! Check your competitor packs 4 the coupon! Good luck & safe.

The Good Witch’s Thursday News from Devoucoux

By Leslie Wylie on Feb 29, 2012 9:31 pm -

Jennifer and The Good Witch (Pooh) at Galway Downs *** in November 2011. Photo by Samantha Clark.

I gotta dedicate today’s news and notes to The Good Witch. What a mare. When I read this article in the Chronicle in 2009, I actually tore it out and hung it on the fridge because the story of their relationship was so inspiring. Pooh, may your retirement be long and happy–you deserve it.

On other fronts, some sad news to report:

–Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of show jumper Don Little, who passed away late Wednesday afternoon following injuries sustained while competing at the Winter Equestrian Festival. His horse fell while jumping a fence during the Masters Classic on Sunday. Little was in his late 70s. In a WEF press release, Little’s wife of 57 years, Judith, was quoted as saying, “Don died doing what he loved.” [WEF]

–Davy Jones passed away in Florida as the result of a heart attack at age 66. While most people know Jones as the former lead singer of The Monkees, he was also a keen horseman throughout his life. He was an apprentice jockey before being snatched up by stardom, and he returned to his equestrian roots afterwards, winning his first race at age 50. [Horse Talk]

–Air vest manufacturers Point Two and Hit Air strongly advise against the purchase of cheaper air canisters, designed to be used in air guns, as they don’t have the same effect. They are harder to pierce, making it possible that your vest wouldn’t inflate in the event of a fall, and if it does inflate, it will do so at a significantly reduced speed (1 second as opposed to 0.1 second). [Horse & Hound]

–In case all that world-class competition gets boring, extracurricular activities are already being lined up for Jersey Fresh. These include a craft fair, equine expo, jousting exhibition and a Patriotic Tribute to the Heroes of 9/11, presented by the Delaware Valley Combined Training Association. [USEA]

Best of Horse Nation:
Morning Feed: Tennessee Walking Horse soring, and what we really think about that
Turn ‘n’ Burn: 19-y/o driving wunderkind Jacob Arnold sweeps Little Everglades International CDE
Wednesday Book Review: ‘War Horse.’ Yep, that’s right-just like Harry Potter and the Twilight series, War Horse was a book before it was a movie.
There’s an app for that: 10 smartphone apps designed to help you organize your horse life
Let’s Discuss: How do you get fit for riding?
Soring: A short history of an incredibly stupid practice
Video: Winning ride from the Gothenburg World Cup show-jumping qualifier

Bad people doing bad things: Over 30 malnourished horses were seized from a Thomasville, GA, woman, who now faces up to 35 counts of animal cruelty pending a veterinarian’s complete inspection. [COTH] Two horses died in Tennessee of Rabies, serving as a sobering reminder that vets aren’t kidding when they tell you to vaccinate your horse. [Horse Talk] Another Tennessee man is going to prison for a year on Tennessee Walking Horse soring charges. [HN] The USDA* has announced that it will be hosting meetings around the United States to get feedback on its horse protection program, which aims to stop soring in the walking horse industry. [Horse Talk] *edited from USDF, oops!

Top of the Tweets: Glad to hear that bodily injury has’t slowed Buck Davidson down. From eventer Whitney Weston (@whitneyweston): “Horses were AMAZING in jumps school today with BDJ. He was so awesome teaching us despite his broken collar bone!!

Best of the Blogs: Laura of “Tales from a Bad Eventer” has the worst luck with horse-shopping of anyone I’ve ever known, as explained here.

First-place Facebook: The USEA made a funny today on its Facebook page, illustrating “Happy Leap Year!” with a photo of Katie Hasse and Buster Brown taking a flyer over a novice ditch.

Friday News & Notes from FLAIR

By Leslie Wylie on Feb 23, 2012 9:35 pm -

I’M reading Eventing Nation. What are YOU doing??

I’ve been following the news all day, and I just can’t come up with anything much more exciting than the new release of Horse Lovers Camera. It’s a new iPhone app that allows you to superimpose photos of adorable horses on pretty much whatever you want. We did a full test-run of the app over here at Horse Nation, and you can download it here.

On other fronts:

–The FEI says you can’t use the calming supplement Carolina Gold anymore. But then, you probably weren’t using it anyway. Visionaire has got the 411 here. The Carrot chimes in on the subject in “Top of the Tweets” below.

–Jon Holling is riding naked for charity. Actually, he’s lying. He just wants you to read his update on the rider rep program. Made you click! [US Eventing]

–Voting is now open for the Best Trainer in the Retired Racehorse Training Challenge, which concludes this Saturday at the Pennsylvania Horse World Expo. You can officially cast your ballot until 2:45 on that day. Additionally, if you’re interested in purchasing one of the four ex-racers, contact info is listed on the site. [Retired Racehorse Training Project]

–Do you want to learn how to whisper sweet nothings into your horse’s ear like Peter and Henny? Learn this and other riding skills at the Peter Atkins clinic hosted by Champagne Run in Lexington, KY, May 11-13. [Atkins Eventing]

–The Kentucky Horse Park has announced the opening of a Kids’ Barn next month. The new attraction is the first at the park to be dedicated solely to children, including hands-on activities like grooming, reading and jumping over a miniature show-jumping course. [Horse Talk]

–Top riders including Mary King, Sharon Hunt, John Whitaker and Lucinda and Clayton Fredericks are auctioning off lessons to raise funds to get a British team of farriers to Egypt, where equine well-being has suffered as a result of low tourism. [Horse & Hound]

–With a March 1 cutoff date for securing Olympic ranking points, it’s a race to the finish for Ireland, which is hosting its final qualifier Ballindenisk Horse Trials this weekend. Ireland currently has three riders in qualification position and four more within striking distance. However, only 13 places are available and with another qualifier taking place in Italy this weekend, Ireland could find all their riders displaced by rivals from other countries. [HorseTalk]

–A British author who has written several books about equine care and behavior has been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to four horses. A RSPCA inspector said that when he visited the stables belonging to Lesley Skipper, the stalls were piled so high with old bedding that the horses heads nearly touched the ceiling. Three of the horses reportedly had to be put down. [HN]

–Remember the story of that Pennsylvania horse trainer, Kelsey Lefever, who took in over 100 ex-racehorses, promising to give them a good home, and then sent them all to slaughter? Here’s something totally messed up: Lefever isn’t even going to jail. [HN]

–Best of the Blogs: Natalie Reinert spent half her day reviewing videos of the Retired Racehorse Trainer Challenge and sweating over for whom to vote, and in the end she concludes that it should be judged like a leadline class–they all get blue ribbons. [Retired Racehorse Blog]

–Top of the Tweets: We can always count on The Carrot to get its two-cents in when it counts. The Carrot (@carrotsandbute): “Maybe also look at Mr. Carolina Gold’s sale of Reserpine on his website, juxtaposed against his USEF-approved Vet status” followed by “Seriously, Go Clean Sport! Get your Reserpine here, no Rx required! doesn’t quite work, does it?

-[Pine Top Friday Advanced Scores]

-John is slacking off in Utah this weekend but stay tuned to EN for a great weekend of eventing as things really get underway on both the east and west coast.

Go Eventing or go home.

Oliver Townend clinic report

By Leslie Wylie on Feb 22, 2012 9:00 am -

Horse Nation’s British correspondent (aren’t we fancy?) Jessie Widner sits in on a jumping clinic with eventing superstar Oliver Townend in Gloucester over the weekend. (more…)

Zara Who’s Wednesday News & Notes from Horse Quencher

By Leslie Wylie on Feb 22, 2012 1:03 am -

That’s what happens when you leave your tiara at home, Zara. (Photo: Wikipedia Commons.)

In one of the more hilarious news bits of the day, British eventer/granddaughter of the Queen Zara Phillips was denied access to an equestrian event when an official failed to recognize her. Being royalty and a one-time BBC sports personality of the year, the faux pas might be akin to, say, not letting Peyton Manning into a football game because he forgot to bring his ID.
Zara was at the event to watch her mother the Princess Ann’s horse Middle Watch, which she had trained. Her mother, who had arrived separately, had her pass–but the official, Tim Hinton, wasn’t having it.
Hinton told the Daily Mail, “I feel rather embarrassed and I have had a lot of ribbing since. But it was raining and she was wearing a headband. I just saw this face at a car window and asked for her pass and, of course, when she said her mother had it, I had no idea she was referring to Princess Ann.”
He finally relented when an assistant pointed out his error. “Even then it took a second or two for the penny to drop and then I just said rather lamely, ‘Well, you’d better come in then.'”
Thanks to JER for the tip.

In other news:

– Eventing training sessions are officially over for the month of February, boo. Hopefully you got a chance to check out EN’s coast-to-coast coverage of the most recent sessions in Aiken and Cali.
Here are the March training session dates, to give you something to look forward to:
March 5-6: Ocala

March 7-8: Red Hills
March 13-16: Aiken
March 19-20: Southern Pines
March 27-29: Galway

You can keep up with the latest training session schedule announcements via Facebook.

– The closing date for Red Hills Horse Trials, to be held March 8-11, was yesterday. Did you get your entry in? Yeah, me neither. You can see who WILL be there by stalking the entry list. Looks like in the *** we got some Phillip, some Karen, some Marilyn, some Buck, some Allison, some hotshot Canadians, some Henny (yesss, helmet cam)….that was the teaser, now go check the rest of the list here.
Also on the RHHT website, you’ll find info on the event’s new-for-this-year silent auction. The item list is like something out of an event rider’s wildest dream: lessons with Jon Holling, a clinic with Lucinda Green, a new bridle from Bit of Britain, some trips to Europe, a pony party, belly dancing lessons and a bunch other awesome stuff. Please, nobody else bid on the “Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event Fabulous Weekend,” a package that includes weekend patron tickets (including open bar!), cross-country course walk with Hugh Lochore, clubhouse passes to Keeneland and dinner at a super-fancy restaurant–I’ve got that one claimed for myself. They’re also raffling off a Rolex watch valued at $7,150 if you’re into that kind of thing.

– Life after George: The USEF Executive Committee has approved the recommendation of Robert Ridland as the next U.S. Show Jumping Chef d’ Equipe/ Technical Advisor pending the successful negotiation of a contract. The position will become available in 2013 when George Morris retires after six years of service. [USEF]

– Have you visited that spectacular new website Horse Nation today? It’s so like whoa. Just in time for Mardi Gras, they had stories like…
Lady Godivas parade ‘in the nude:’ Here’s a mental image for ya: An all-female New Orleans riding group that dons nude body-stockings and chucks bedazzled horse shoes into the crowd.
Video du Jour: A horse walks into a bar. The bartender asks, “Why the long face?” New Orleans police use horses for crowd control during major events like Mardi Gras and everyday patrols along Bourbon Street. Sometimes, they need a drink too.
Louisiana Horse Rescue: A story of Hope. Risa Flamm brings us this update on last month’s rescue of 60 neglected horses from a Louisiana breeding farm. Forty-six of the horses are still under the organization’s care.
Shameless plug, complete.

– Terrible, horrible people doing terrible, horrible things: This is so bad, I almost don’t even want to tell you. The remains of a miniature horse were found in a rural area of Miami-Dade County on Monday, from where it had clearly been tortured and then butchered for black market meat. It is the third discovery of a slaughtered horse in the county in two months, and was in the same spot where a butchered horse was found a month ago. [Horse Talk]

– Best of the Blogs: Uber-preppy polo shirt company Joules is WAY too excited about pancakes. [Happy Pancake Day] Never to be one-upped, Kerrits managed to locate a carrot cake pancake recipe and post it on Facebook. [Yum?]

Red Hills ’12: It’s time to get pumped!!!

Go eventing.

Ask the Expert: Your #1 source for terrible eventing advice

By Leslie Wylie on Feb 20, 2012 12:52 pm -

If all else fails, HSHG, I bet these girls will let you be in their club.

After a brief interruption last week on account of the fact that our author was hungover and jetlagged, “Ask Leslie” returns this week with a brand new question.

Dear Leslie,

I’m a diehard eventing teenage girl. I spend every free minute of my life at the barn, shopping for tack, or reading about horses. My friends at school told me I’m a freak because I might possibly have just a little addiction to horses. I spend all my money on tack, clinics, boots, lessons, and anything else remotely related to horses. Did you ever deal with “freak” status when you were a high schooler?

Thanks!
Highschool Horse Girl

—

Dear HSHG,

I’m sure a lot of readers can relate to what you’re going through. High School is rough on anybody, but especially so for someone who chooses to march to the beat of a different drum. I don’t know what sort of extracurricular activities kids are into these days (when I was in high school, it was driving circles around the Walmart parking lot listening to Nirvana and feeling angry), but I can assure you, riding horses is way cooler than whatever it is your buddies are doing in their spare time. Of course, you already know that–the question is, how to convince them.

It’s been a pretty long time since I was in high school, and I’ve had a lot of concussions since then so my long-term memory is a little frayed at the edges. HSHG, I thought I’d call a lifeline and put you in touch with someone who might be a little more up-to-date.

McKenna Oxenden is a 15-year-old eventer who’s been writing a column for Horse Nation called “The Secret Life of McKenna & Dorito.” Last week, the title of her column was something like, “Gah, Nobody Gets Me: Why do my lame teachers and non-horsey friends keep trying to crush my riding dreams,” so I knew she will understand your plight. I’m just going to let her take it from here:

Greetings Highschool Horse Girl,

I think I might be able to help you considering, A) I’m in high school, B) I am that girl. I’m sure to some people I’m classified as the “freak,” My best friend and I spend most of our first period quietly shouting across from each other, the topic generally being horses. Almost all of my school projects have something to do with horses, especially when it involves creative writing. And not to mention the amount of doodling I do… I totally and completely get you. Also, I saved up $800 just so I could go to O’Connor camp and almost no one understood.

I do have a few tips I think might be helpful. One, make sure horses aren’t the only thing you talk about. Of course horses are a huge part of your life and it’s cool to talk about them, but if your friends don’t understand horses it can be a bit frustrating.

Also, make sure you listen to your friends. You might not be into basketball, but if they are sit and listen and try and learn a little bit and then that way when you talk about horses they’ll return the favor.

Secondly, don’t let people stop your dreams. Horses are the biggest part of your life which means they are a huge inspiration, so if someone tells you to grow up or to stop chasing something so childish, just blow it off. I know it can be hard, especially if it’s said multiple times.

It can be hard to be classified as “the horse girl,” and trust me I’ve been there and I am still there, and it might be hard but you just kind of have to ignore it and do what you love!

And HSHG, keep saving your money. It is totally worth it when you finally get to go to that one clinic you’ve been DIEING to go to or get that piece of tack you’ve wanted for ages.

May the force be with you,
McKenna

Well, HSHG, I think that’s some pretty solid advice. Being a horse freak is something you may never grow out of, so you might as well just learn to “own it”–and remember, you’ll always be cool in our book.

Good luck!
Leslie

—
Have a question for the “expert”? Email it to [email protected].

A Day in the Life of Horse Nation

By Leslie Wylie on Feb 15, 2012 11:45 pm -

Photos: HN

Our stories for Wednesday:

Morning Feed: Wednesday, February 15

Andrew Nicholson: It’s good to be a gangsta. New Zealand eventer Andrew Nicholson has so many **** horses, he had to kick one off his plate. Britain’s Oliver Townsend got the ride on Armada, a 13-year-old gelding owned by Paul Ridgeon.

Who’s That Girl?: Meet the star of the SmartPak ‘Stuff Riders Say’ videos. Jennifer Ferrell interviews SmartPak’s Sarah Paull about the story behind the wildly popular web video series.

Wednesday Book Review: ‘Horse: A Genuine & Authentic Guide.’ This week, HN’s grown-up book critic Erin McCabe reveals her girlish weakness for horse encyclopedias.

Winner’s Circle: Hahahorses.com

Video du Jour: Retired Racehorse Challenge. We’re three weeks into the Retired Racehorse Challenge, a five-week program that places three fresh-off-the-track TBs with three professional trainers. The trainer/TB combos will be judged on their progress at the Pennsylvania Horse World Expo Feb. 24-25.

Your Turn: The difference between horses and microwave dinners. In a world where attention spans run short and instant gratification reigns supreme, Rachael Walker espouses the virtues of that lost virtue, patience.

Good Call: Bonkers idea to bring diving horses back to Atlantic City gets scrapped. A couple weeks ago, we reported on Steel Pier Associates’ plan to bring diving horses back to Atlantic City. Well, they changed their mind.

EN Today: Phillip Dutton partners with Muscular Dystrophy Association. Visionaire brings us this report of U.S. eventing superstar Phillip Dutton’s support of a great cause.

Graded Stakes: Retraining racehorses for college credit. Kait Schultz and Tesla Parker are university students with a big idea: buying, retraining and selling ex-racers… for a grade. Their project is called “‘The Thoroughbred Chronicles.”

—-
For more news, commentary and ridiculousness, visit www.horsenation.com. Be sure to follow us on Twitter and “like” us on Facebook, too!

A Day in the Life of Horse Nation

By Leslie Wylie on Feb 14, 2012 11:31 pm -

Photo: Equestrian Ryan Gosling

A quick recap of HN’s Valentine’s Day Spectacular:

Morning Box of Chocolates: Tuesday, February 14

Are You and Your Horse Compatible? Katie Passerotti applies the Chinese Zodiac to horse/human relationships. Find out whether you and your horse are a match made in heaven, or whether you’re just doomed.

Video du Jour: Why getting married on horseback is a bad idea. Mad props to the bride, though, for staying on.

‘Full Metal Jousting’ premier does OK in ratings battle vs. Grammies, that zombie show. 1.9M viewers tuned in to the History Channel on Sunday night for the premier. The show features competitors “going head-to-head on horseback in a brutal tests of strength, endurance and courage.”

Winner’s Circle: Hahahorses.com

True Confessions: ‘I was having a great honeymoon… until I started missing my horse.’ When newlywed bliss wore off and “the itch” started taking hold, Amanda Ronan dragged her new hubby to a trail-riding stable-hilarity ensues.

Valentine’s Day Special: Horse Nation has been very, very naughty. Horses have taken over every other area of your life, you might as well let them in your bedroom, too. Here are a few Valentine’s Day ideas.

Hey Girl: More equestrian Ryan Gosling. Consider it our Valentine’s Day gift to you. I know-he just gets dreamier with every lie that comes out of his beautiful, beautiful mouth.

Midlife Crisis: The adventures of a thirtysomething first-time horse owner. At age 32, Amanda Smith bought herself something she’d been wanting her entire life: a horse. Today, she pens a tribute to Horse Husbands.

EN Today: Horsey Hotties. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, we’re loving Samantha Clark’s interview with Ginny Rose, creator and owner of the Horsey Hotties dating website.

—
Visit Horse Nation at www.horsenation.com for more news, commentary and ridiculousness.

Despite financial aid, WEG finishes 2010 in the red

By Leslie Wylie on Feb 13, 2012 11:20 am -

“Money pit” might be an apt descriptor for the 2010 WEGs, according to a story published over the weekend in the Lexington Herald-Leader.

The Games were originally projected to be the first of their kind of return a profit. But despite a $3m cash injection from Dr. Pearse Lyons, founder/president of title sponsor Alltech, and a last-minute $2m loan from Darley, a thoroughbred breeding and racing organization owned by FEI president Princess Haya’s husband, the World Games 2010 Foundation still finished $1,386,625 in the red according to its 2010 tax return.

USEF Executive Director John Long blamed “the sea change of the economy,” which affected ticket sales, airfare and horse shipping costs.

Alltech, which spent upwards of $32 million to “activate” its original sponsorship, is signed on to sponsor the 2014 WEGs in Normandy, France. Alltech spokeswoman Susanna Elliott told the Herald-Leader, “[Lyons] still considers the Games the best business decision he’s ever made.”

“We’re beyond 2010 now,” Elliot continued. “We look back on 2010 as an incredibly successful event, and now we’re focused on making 2014 as successful.”

Half of the loan to Darley has been repaid, but it is unclear what will happen to the remainder of the debt. As the books close on the Games, both the foundation and the FEI acknowledge that repayment is unlikely.

Read the whole story here.

HN Today: Intervention, or We Think You Have a Problem

By Leslie Wylie on Feb 9, 2012 11:04 pm -

Ammy-adult event rider/blogger Holly Ratcliff admits that she “would much rather jump one of the red concrete balls in the Target parking lot” than an upright show jump vertical.

From Holly’s blog, Shoes, shoes, shoes… and horses: “Even though it is skinny, round, and red, I just think the Target ball has a more inviting shape. I am really struggling to feel balanced down to verticals of late. Maybe I’m just out of practice, or maybe it’s a perspective issue. It will get better with time this spring… Now, to test my theoretical bravery against the Target ball. Do you dare me?”

Holly, we’re just gonna go ahead and say that schooling skinnies in the Target parking lot is a really, really bad idea. Consider, as an alternative strategy, starting with a really low vertical-perhaps even just perfecting your balance and timing to a pole on the ground-and gradually building it it higher as your confidence increases.

Photos by Holly Ratcliff

Intervention is a new Horse Nation series in which we identify horsepeople whose compulsive behaviors have brought them to a point of personal crisis, threatening to estrange them from their friends and loved ones. If there is a horseperson in your life you would like to nominate for a spot on Intervention, or if you have self-identified that you need an intervention yourself, please email [email protected].

—

For more news, commentary and general ridiculousness, visit www.horsenation.com.

HN Today: 30 Years After She Won Rolex

By Leslie Wylie on Feb 8, 2012 6:33 pm -

Photo courtesy of Kim Walnes

Most people remember Kim Walnes from her glory days in the ’80s, when she piloted The Gray Goose to international eventing success. On the 30th anniversary of her 1982 Rolex win, Kim has agreed to write a column for HN about horses and life.

Rather than forcing the ever-humble Kim to sing her own praises, we’ve asked Helene Gallagher, the mother of one of Kim’s students, to lead off:

From Helene:

Mention the name Mother Goose and most people fondly recall the childhood books full of nursery rhymes and fairy tales. The image is usually depicted as a maternal white goose with a comfy bonnet on her head. But if you were a follower of world-class eventing in the early ’80s that name took on a whole new meaning. Kim Walnes was nicknamed “Mother Goose” by U.S. team coach Jack LeGoff because she was a mother of two at the height of her riding fame. She and her equestrian soulmate, The Gray Goose, took the eventing world by storm in that decade and built a legendary partnership. It’s hard to believe that this year will be the 30th anniversary of their dynamic win at Rolex Kentucky event.

Kim & The Gray Goose, courtesy of KW

My daughter is lucky enough to board her horse at the same barn where Kim now stables her current mount, Gideon Goodheart, a descendant of Gray’s TB sire. An amazing horse in his own right, Gideon not only competes in upper level dressage, but is also a gentle school master and patient teacher for many of Kim’s current students. He is a stallion, yet the most well mannered boy in the barn-even among the geldings! He is so well behaved and obeys so many verbal commands of Kim’s that my daughter and I swear he’s human! Gideon is the third generation of Kim’s breeding and she presided over his birth some 19 years ago. Kim and Gideon have formed a dynamic teaching team that helps riders of all levels and disciplines.

Kim teaching a lesson

In the several months that Kim has been there she has shared some of her amazing memories, photos and videos of those glory days in the ’80s. What I find extraordinary about Kim is that she has transformed her talent, perseverance and commitment from her eventing career into becoming not only an excellent teacher, but a life mentor to many around the country. She is definitely not content to rest on past laurels. Kim uses all that she has experienced, the good and the bad, to help her clients move forward in their lives. Horses are therapeutic for her and Gideon is a great physician of the mind and soul, helping to heal many a rider than has been lucky enough to sit in his saddle. Kim logs in thousands of miles traveling around the United States giving clinics and is currently welcoming new students to attend lessons with her at her current location at Groveland Farm in Pipersville, PA.

If you can’t get out to Pennsylvania for a one-on-one with Kim, you can still benefit from her expertise as she is poised to become a regular contributor to HORSE NATION! Make sure you look for Kim’s inspiring advice on life in and out of the saddle in the future. You can contact Kim directly, as well as read more about her amazing career and equestrian partners at her website www.TheWayOfTheHorse.com.

Kim & Gideon

For more news, commentary and general hilariousness, visit Horse Nation.

Jessica’s Tuesday News & Notes from Pennfield

By Leslie Wylie on Feb 7, 2012 5:28 am -

VELCRO: Just like Jessica Phoenix’s butt.

I want to say one more little thing before we move on from the fact that Jessica Phoenix won Equine Canada’s Equestrian of the Year over the weekend, and that is: Jessica Phoenix IS eventing. Her numerous accolades aside, I will never forget glancing up at the jumbotron during the 2010 WEGs just in time to see Jessica and Exponential dive off the bounce bank at the Head of the Lake and disappear in a giant, terrible splash only to rise, yes, Phoenix-like, from their watery ashes and kick on to the next jump. It was, without a doubt, the most eventing-est thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Congrats, Jessica, and here’s hoping you continue making waves of a different variety in 2012! [Horse Canada]

USEF Eventing High Performance and Developing Rider training sessions continue at Bridle Creek in Aiken Tuesday. The schedule is as follows:

8 a.m. – Boyd Martin
8:45 a.m. – Will Faudree/Pawlow
9:30 a.m. – Boyd Martin
10:15 a.m. – Will Coleman/Twizzel
11 a.m. – Boyd Martin
11:45 a.m. – Susan Beebee/Wolf
12:30 p.m. – LUNCH
1 p.m. – Megan O’Donoghue/Pirate
1:45 p.m. – Lynn Symanski/Donner
2:30 p.m. – Kristin Schmolze/Ballylaffin Bracken
3:15 – Alexandra Green/Fernhill Cubalawn

[The rest of the schedule for this week]

Since there is just not that much going on in eventing news today, I’m going to seize the opportunity to once again shamelessly plug Eventing Nation’s sister site, Horse Nation. We’re off to a rollicking start, featuring a spooling reel of news, commentary and ridiculousness. OK, it’s still mostly ridiculousness, but one of these days we’re going to get our act together and do some serious by-God reporting. Maybe. Anyway, check up on HN frequently and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter as well. [HN]

Bad People Doing Bad Things:
-24-year-old British horse dealer Brooke Lee was found guilty of taking horses on loan, assuring their owners that they’d be well cared for, then selling them at auction without their owners’ knowledge or permission. One horse she sold days after it came into her care was sent to slaughter; another was euthanized after the new owner discovered that the horse was lame. Lee was sentenced to 220 hours of community service and 750 Euro in court costs. [Horse & Hound]

-A buggy carrying five teenagers in Pennsylvania was the victim of a hit-and-run accident on Monday night. The buggy was rear-ended, injuring one passenger, and the driver fled the scene. The incident occurred at–wait for it–12:43 a.m. That’s what you get, kids, when you’re out cruising the drag in a horse-drawn party buggy in the middle of the night. [Horse Talk]
-Police are investigating after three horses in Bedford County, VA, were found with slashed necks. Each horse had a similar wound, an incision measuring six to eight inches long and three to four inches deep. Police determined that the wounds were likely neither accident or self-sustained. The horses are in stable condition. [Horse Talk]

Best of the Blogs: Megan Moore of Team CEO Eventing is having way too much fun in the horsey wonderland that is Aiken’s Hitchcock Woods. [Team CEO]

Irish Three-Star Entries: [Nina, Ian Stark, Blyth Tait, Jules Stiller, and many more]

Kiwis on TV: [Jock Paget]

Top of the Tweets: Young British event riders Laura Collett (@CollettEventing) and Georgie Spence (@georgiespence23) are apparently indulging in a junk food + vodka binge fest tonight. Collett tweets, “I am a good friend… got instructions to bring comfort food to @georgiespence23.” The attached photo shows a buffet of BiscBits, Minstels, Crunchie Rocks, a giant chocolate bar and a bottle of Smirnoff.

Once more with feeling:

HN Today: Weird things horsepeople do when they think nobody’s watching

By Leslie Wylie on Feb 6, 2012 3:48 pm -

A Horse Nation exclusive: Here’s that home video we promised you of four-star rider Kelly Sult, her eventer buddy Stephanie Heinsons (she’s the one wearing pink wellies and a panda onesie), a toothbrush crop, a tiny bewildered dog, and a couch-pillow one-stride. Rated R for ridiculous.

For more random entertainment and borderline disturbing entertainment, visit www.horsenation.com.

Ask the Expert: Your #1 source for terrible eventing advice

By Leslie Wylie on Feb 6, 2012 2:17 pm -

I’m in a crazy mood so this week’s “Dear Leslie” column is in a video format. Enjoy!

Have a question for the “expert”? Email it to [email protected].

Today on HN: Barbie Dream Barn

By Leslie Wylie on Feb 2, 2012 6:59 pm -

Have you ever wondered what a $5.1 million barn looks like? Horse Nation is here to give you the grand tour of Sequoyah Farms.

From HORSE NATION:

At first glance, Sequoyah Farms seems incredibly glamorous: horses that cost more than sportscars, wreaths of blue satin ribbons, a stable more luxurious than most people’s homes. But the Watkins family seems to understand that at the end of the day, it’s still just a barn.

For being such well-heeled horsepeople, Greg and Kim Watkins are refreshingly down-to-earth and hard-working. Even though the day is just beginning, Greg Watkins’ face is already glistening with sweat. There are horses to be groomed and exercised, stalls to be cleaned, and plans to be made. It’s a big job, even for the staff of seven that assist Greg and his wife Kim in keeping the Andersonville, Tenn., farm and its enterprise, GK Performance Horses, up and running.

The days are long and the mornings come early thanks to the home’s built-in alarm clock system–a stable full of horses clamoring for their breakfast at 8 a.m. sharp.

Greg, Kim and their five children never intended to live in a barn. The upstairs apartment they now call home was originally designated for the barn manager, with a main house to be built elsewhere on the property. But things began to take on a life of their own during construction, which began in 2006.

The indoor is pretty nice.

Piece by piece, the “groom’s quarters” evolved into a stately living space illuminated by oversize windows and punctuated by rustic yet elegant furnishings. Chocolate browns mingle with minty blues and golden accents that lend the home a warm, comfortable glow.

The dÃ©cor, masculine leather furniture with charming Appalachian accent pieces, makes it the perfect place for the Watkins to kick off their boots and relax after a long day in the barn below.

“When Greg does something,” wife Kim explains, “it tends to mushroom a bit. We wanted to build the barn first, and the next thing you know, we’re living in it.”

“It just kept getting bigger and more involved,” Greg recalls. “At some point, it was like, forget it, we’re going to live in the barn.”

Incidentally, the couple seem perfectly at home, both literally and figuratively, in their stables. They walk from stall to stall, occasionally ducking inside to rub a horse’s velvety nose.

Every four-legged inhabitant of Sequoyah Farms has a story to tell. There’s Ado Annie, a Grand Prix showjumper and World Cup qualifier that Kim describes as the “star of the barn.” There’s Utopia, a top Grand Prix horse that has ribboned in Nations Cup competitions around the world. In the stallion wing, there’s Cubito, a Holsteiner Verband champion the Watkins imported to become the cornerstone of their breeding program.

The horses are alright.

From competition horses to mares in foal, pint-sized ponies to statuesque steeds, the Watkins seem intimately familiar with each four-legged member of their family–their likes, dislikes, passions and quirks.

Outside the facility, an imposing structure constructed of stone and massive wooden beams, moss-green hills ripple out into the distance. Nestled into the mountains of East Tennessee, Sequoyah Farms feels like a tranquil retreat from the world.

The farm’s 130 acres are crisscrossed with black four-board fencing; in the springtime, they’re dotted with new mothers and their spindly-legged foals. “We love all of it but have really gotten into the breeding side of things,” says Kim.

The stable’s foaling wing is equipped with live video monitors linked to their apartment upstairs so they can sneak downstairs and watch the birth. Additionally, the barn includes a collections room and lab. The ultimate goal, Kim says, is to produce sporthorses capable of holding their own in national and international competition.

Yeah, I wouldn’t mind keeping my horse here.

The Watkins watch a young rider canter Connery, a big gray show-jumper, over a course of brightly-painted fences in their indoor ring. It’s clear that these horses are athletes, specially bred and painstakingly trained to make such great physical feats appear effortless.

Not unlike the horses, Sequoyah Farms’ accomplishments are the result of a carefully balanced combination of planning and passion.

“It’s been a real learning curve,” says Greg, and he seems to understand that their trial-by-fire is far from over. Building a world-class equestrian facility is an endeavor that takes years to complete, and the physical construction is only a part of it.

Success in the horse-show business is a team effort, a collaboration between the many players–owners, riders, grooms, vets, and blacksmiths, to name a few–that help bring a horse’s talents to fruition. Luckily, the Watkins aren’t afraid of a little hard work.

“It’s a crazy life,” Kim says with a laugh, “but we love it.”

Their barn in Wellington is decent, too.

—–

Check out Eventing Nation’s brand spanking new sister site Horse Nation for more news, commentary and general ridiculousness.

Introducing: Horse Nation

By Leslie Wylie on Feb 1, 2012 12:35 pm -

Once upon a time, John had a ~~crazy idea~~ dream. His dream was that he could share all the things that make EN great–its sense of community, its behind-the-scenes reporting, its sheer ridiculousness–with an even broader audience. An audience that encompassed many different horse sports and wrapped around the globe. His dream was of a site that united horse people everywhere, where we could all laugh and learn and be neurotic together.

But John was already ~~on the verge of a nervous breakdown~~ very busy. Then he met Wylie, a down-on-her-luck eventer who kept pestering him for a job. John told Wylie about his dream and Wylie said, “I can help turn your dream into reality.” John said, “OK.” Then John and Wylie told SmartPak about their dream and SmartPak said, “We believe in your dream. We believe in it so much we’re going to give you this check.” And that made John and Wylie very happy, indeed.

Today, Eventing Nation, we are ready to share our dream with you. Officially introducing: Horse Nation, a site that we hope will become a hub for equestrian news, commentary, seriousness, hilariousness and–most of all–community. And while it’s definitely still a work in progress, we expect that HN will grow into a site that you visit just as habitually and compulsively as you do EN.

Check out Horse Nation today at www.horsenation.com, and check up on us often as we add new writers and new features. Thank you for supporting EN, and we look forward to giving you many, many reasons to support HN as well.

Horse Nation: Because we’re all in this together

Olympic News & Notes from Horse Quencher

By Leslie Wylie on Feb 1, 2012 6:50 am -

Two of the most interesting stories I’ve read in the past couple of days were both interviews with top riders in which they discussed their pre-Olympic gameplans.

The first was yesterday’s Sporting Life article about William Fox-Pitt, who is in the enviable position of having three potential Olympic rides in his string: Parklane Hawk, Oslo and Lionheart. Although he intends to enter all three horses in Badminton in early May, he says he doubts any of them will actually run there.

“There is a big decision to make about whether you or not you bring a horse to the well twice in one year when you are aiming for the Olympics,” he says. “Do you really want to put in all that work to get him four-star fit to go to Badminton or Kentucky, then bring him back pretty quickly for London in July? … If you had a little injury after Badminton or Kentucky and the horse was in the box for a few weeks with a cut or an infection and you missed all that work, you could be throwing away the Olympics.” He noted that if he did decide to run one of his horses in a three-day for a tune-up, the conditions would have to be “pretty much perfect.”

The second interview was today’s dressage-news.com Q&A with Steffen Peters, in which he stated that he and Ravel will be sitting out the World Cup in The Netherlands in April. “It’s all about preserving Ravel,” he said.

The storyline seems quite different for U.S. eventing, where Olympic team slots are still pretty much anyone’s game and riders will be devoting their spring season to impressing team selectors (unless they’re proven enough to have received a pass for Kentucky.) The difference, of course, is that shoo-ins are far and few between in American eventing, but perhaps there’s something to be absorbed here for the future.

You may have heard of Laura Collett: 22-year-old hotshot British event rider, top 10 at Badminton last year, John’s fantasy girlfriend, etc. But do you know important things about her like where she keeps her lucky charm? (Answer: She keeps it in her brassiere.) For more Laura trivia, check out this Q&A. [Eventing Worldwide]

Mark Todd is an eventing legend, no doubt. But how did he go from being a self-professed “dairy farmer who rode a bit” to one of the most admired equestrians of all time? His victories span 31 years, with three Badminton wins, five Burghley wins, a handful of Olympic gold medals and–after coming back from a several-year retirement–another win at Badminton and a ticket to the Beijing Olympics. Needless to say, his original autobiography, So Far, So Good, published in 1998, is due for an update. Today it was announced that the rights have been purchased to a new autobiography, Second Chance, to be published by Orion on April 19, 2012 in time for the Badminton Horse Trials. [Book Trade]

So you’re headed to Rolex. Like, as a rider. What’s going through your mind? How are you preparing yourself and your horse? When you visualize stepping into that famous start box, does it make you want to jump up and down, or barf, or jump up and down while barfing? Rolex’s official website, www.rk3de.org, grants us inside access to the thoughts and feelings of top riders as they begin their journey toward the mother of all U.S. events. This year’s featured bloggers will be James Allison (GBR), Jan Bynny and Doug Payne.

If you aren’t riding yourself, the next best place to be is tailgating course-side, with a cold beverage in one hand and–aw, who are we kidding–probably another cold beverage in the other hand as well. Reservation forms for tailgating spots for the 2012 Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event, to be held May 10-13 in Allentown, NJ, are now available online at the Horse Park of NJ website or www.eventbrite.com. Reserve your spots early and be sure to throw your hat in the ring for the “Hats off to the 10^th annual Jersey Fresh hat contest–categories will be Best Single Hat, Best Group of Hats and Horsiest hat. [US Eventing]

Bad people doing bad things: In Sussex, England, last weekend, a veterinarian’s car was broken into, probably targeted for electrical items–an iPod and satellite navigation device were taken, along with some personal correspondence and documents. But the thieves also made out with two bottles of horse sedative, Nargesic, and a bottle of horse tranquilizer, Medesedan, perhaps likening them to the drug Ketamine, which is used by recreational drug users. Unlike Ketamine, however, Nargesic and Medesedan are extremely strong and potentially fatal even in small doses. So, thieves, if you’re reading this, you might reconsider partying with your new drug stash unless you want to fall asleep for a very, very long time. [Horse Talk]

You can’t keep Ralph Hill down for long. We hear that Ralph Hill is recovering well following his accident last fall when he broke his neck. An EN source tells us that his injury doesn’t require surgery and even has some plans to teach a clinic at Pine Hill in Texas on Feb. 11-12.

Best of the blogs: “How I Became a Professional Groom” by Pamela Nunn on the PRO blog. Pamela, a freelance groom who worked for Selena O’Hanlon during both the 2008 Olympics and the 2010 WEG, ponders her transition from a successful career in sales to being a full-time horsewoman. [PRO]

The Mario & Sonic London 2012 Olympic Games equestrian event, with commentary from a couple of giggly teenage girls.

From our friends at Horse Quencher:

When the temperature drops, so does the drinking, making winter the worst time of year for impaction colic. Lugged hot water goes cool, electric solutions bring fire and other risks. So how about some easy-peasy Horse Quencher instead?

As Yazoo (mini) Mule says, “In Michigan it’s cold and for some reason I don’t like to drink water. Heated or cold, fresh or not-so-fresh it doesn’t matter. I don’t drink enough to stay hydrated to keep things moving through. In December they said I had colic. The vet came and forced a tube down my nose; my caretakers, Ross and Kate, sat up with me all night long until the spasms stopped. The vet told them to put more water buckets out and they did, but a few weeks ago I got colic again. The tube went in my nose again, and again they sat with me. I heard them talking with the vet about finding a way to get me to drink and that if they couldn’t I might die. Fortunately, Kate found Horse Quencher in her Valley Vet catalog. The vet told them that water additives don’t usually work, but Kate was desperate for something to try so she ordered it. She didn’t think I’d touch it because I tipped over every other flavored bucket she offered. Well, I drank and drank and drank some more. It was just so good. Sonny, Smoke and Nap wanted some too but I made them all go away by kicking. Then when it was all gone and Kate was leaving with the empty bucket I chased her down to try and get more, but it was truly all gone. She said she’ll make more for me later.”

Eventing Nation

Achievements

About Leslie Wylie

Latest Articles Written

Helmet Cam update

ESJ's Olympic Team Selections Part 4 – The Aussie

To helmet cam or to not helmet cam??

Monday News & Notes from Success Equestrian

Bang Bang Shrimp’s Sunday links from Dubarry

Hello, Boyd

Vermont’s Thursday News & Notes from Devoucoux

The Good Witch’s Thursday News from Devoucoux

Friday News & Notes from FLAIR

Oliver Townend clinic report

Zara Who’s Wednesday News & Notes from Horse Quencher

March 7-8: Red Hills
March 13-16: Aiken
March 19-20: Southern Pines
March 27-29: Galway

You can keep up with the latest training session schedule announcements via Facebook.

Ask the Expert: Your #1 source for terrible eventing advice

A Day in the Life of Horse Nation

A Day in the Life of Horse Nation

Despite financial aid, WEG finishes 2010 in the red

HN Today: Intervention, or We Think You Have a Problem

HN Today: 30 Years After She Won Rolex

Jessica’s Tuesday News & Notes from Pennfield

HN Today: Weird things horsepeople do when they think nobody’s watching

Ask the Expert: Your #1 source for terrible eventing advice

Today on HN: Barbie Dream Barn

Introducing: Horse Nation

Olympic News & Notes from Horse Quencher

Stable View

Success Equestrian

Sport Horse Nation

Kentucky Performance Products

Strides for Equality Equestrians

USEA

USEF

FEI

Latest Articles Written

March 7-8: Red Hills March 13-16: Aiken March 19-20: Southern Pines March 27-29: Galway

You can keep up with the latest training session schedule announcements via Facebook.

Stable View

Success Equestrian

Kentucky Performance Products

Strides for Equality Equestrians

USEA

USEF

FEI

March 7-8: Red Hills
March 13-16: Aiken
March 19-20: Southern Pines
March 27-29: Galway