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Thoroughbreds in the Spotlight at Ocala Jockey Club: RRP Charity Golf Classic + $15K Incentive

By on Nov 7, 2019 1:43 pm -

Being a Thoroughbred farm in the heart of Thoroughbred country, the breed is close to the heart of Ocala Jockey Club International 3-Day Event. Here are some ways that Thoroughbreds will be taking the spotlight at the fourth annual event, which is fast-approaching Nov. 14-17, 2019.

Retired Racehorse Project Charity Golf Classic

If you’re local to the Ocala, Florida area, or coming into town for the Ocala Jockey Club International 3-Day Event, then don’t forget your clubs!

Join your fellow equestrians and Thoroughbred enthusiasts for a golf tournament to benefit the Retired Racehorse Project on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Taking place at the beautiful Golden Ocala Golf Club (8300 NW 31st Lane Road, Ocala, FL 34482), the RRP Charity Golf Classic will be a four-player scramble-format tournament, with lunch served at 11:30 and a shotgun start at 12:30. Stick around for awards, refreshments and cash bar upon conclusion!

The RRP Charity Golf Classic is generously sponsored by I Love My Horse Equestrian Boutique & Tack and Buck and Andrea Davidson.

Entry is $150 per player (includes lunch, golf cart and prizes) and many other sponsorship opportunities are available!

Contact Terry Welsch ([email protected]) or Jen Roytz ([email protected]) for more information or to reserve a sponsorship or playing spot.

[RRP Charity Golf Classic]

Phillip Dutton will be competing Sea of Clouds, The Sea of Clouds Partnership’s 8-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Malibu Moon x Winner’s Ticket, by Jolie’s Halo), in the CCI4*-L. Sea of Clouds won a whopping $200 in his two starts on the track before beginning training with Phillip as a 4-year-old — he’ll have a chance to one-up those career earnings at OJC next week! Photo by Alison Green/Jersey Fresh.

Thoroughbred Eventing Champion Division

Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event is once again giving away $15,000 in prizes to top-placing Thoroughbreds in each of the four FEI Divisions (CCI2*-L, CCI3*-L, CCI4*-S, CCI4*-L) to compete in the Thoroughbred Eventing Champion category.

This incentive was launched in 2016 with the intention of highlighting and rewarding the use of off-track Thoroughbreds in second careers. The idea worked: 27% of that year’s OJC event were Thoroughbreds, compared to an average of just 6.5% in two other Ocala three-day events. Similar numbers have participated in each successive year of the event.

Thoroughbred Eventing Champion Division and T.I.P. Program Links: Thoroughbred Prize Eligibility Form, T.I.P. Information Page, T.I.P. Eligibility Form, T.I.P. Number Online Application, Tattoo Number Lookup, Thoroughbred Registered Name and Racing Record Search

[Thoroughbred Eventing Champion Division]

Ocala Jockey Club International 3-Day Event: Website, Entries, Schedule, Live Scoring

A Call for Vintage Area I Eventing Photos!

By on Nov 6, 2019 9:00 am -

Joan Davis from Flatlandsfoto competing at UNH Horse Trials in 1976(?)

In celebration of 60 years of eventing, Joan Davis from Flatlandsfoto is collecting old photos from Area I USCTA/USEA events to share in a slide show presentation during the 2019 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention. Can you help?

  • Photos should be of good quality as well as on the larger size so they are suitable for the big screen.
  • Please include the rider’s name, horse’s name, event and year when known.
  • Photos can be emailed to [email protected]. Please note “Photos for National Meeting” in the subject line so any emails landing in the spam folder can be rescued.
  • Deadline for this project is November 20th.  Feel free to email Joan directly with any questions.

Speaking of the Annual Meeting & Convention, it’s fast approaching! Can you believe the first meeting was held in 1959? Come celebrate the USEA’s 60th anniversary in Boston Dec. 12-15, 2019. Registration and more information is available here.

 

When in Doubt, Leave It Out? Show Us Your Long Spots to Win SmartPak SmartStride Ultra

By on Nov 5, 2019 1:00 pm -

Sarah O’Grady of Tasmania, Australia, demonstrates the art of the flyer. Photo courtesy of Sarah O’Grady.

You’re going to want to grab mane for the latest edition of EN’s SmartPak Supplement Shellout! This time we’re sending out a call for your best long-spot photos for a chance to win a month’s supply of SmartStride Ultra Pellets from our friends at SmartPak.

SmartStride Ultra can’t convince your horse to stay attached to planet earth for one more stride, but it can provide comprehensive joint and soft tissue support. SmartStride Ultra Pellets represent the next generation of joint support for horses, with a unique formula featuring cutting-edge ingredients for healthy joints, bones, tendons, and ligaments. While this supplement was created for horses in heavy work, it may also be a great choice for seniors.

This formula includes:

  • Revolutionary and new ingredients including turmeric and resveratrol for supporting a normal response to inflammation and boron for maintaining bone health
  • Tried and true ingredients such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and HA for joint health
  • Collagen and silica for resilient tendons and ligaments
  • A tasty pellet with no added sugar!

Photo via SmartPak.

Sound like something your horse could use? Show us those long spot photos, either in the Facebook comments or via email at [email protected]. A committee of chinchillas will judge them for drama and style, and we’ll put their top 10 favorites to a reader vote! Entries close next Monday, Nov. 11, at midnight.

Go Eventing!

Trail to Tokyo: What You Need to Know About U.S. Team Selection for the 2020 Olympic Games

By on Nov 5, 2019 9:00 am -

Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

The eventing selection procedures for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games are approved and available on the US Equestrian website. If you’re applying, click here to read the document in full — no shortcuts for you! You’ll also want to bookmark the site’s dedicated Tokyo 2020 Eventing Page, which will be updated with relevant information in coming months.

For the rest of us, here’s a need-to-know overview.

IMPORTANT DATES

Olympic applications may be downloaded here. The application deadline is Feb. 14, 2020. After submission, applicants will receive details for completing the USOPC registration process, which has an estimated deadline of Feb. 21, 2020.

The team will be announced no later than June 1, 2020. Three combinations will be named to the team, as well as a traveling reserve and list of alternates. The selectors can name direct reserve horses for team riders. A direct reserve horse would be an automatic replacement if the original horse has to be substituted. The USOPC deadline for final entries is June 8, 2020.

The eventing portion of the Games will take place July 31-Aug. 3, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan.

SELECTION TRIALS

The following competitions have been confirmed as selection trials for the U.S. team:

2019

  • Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event Event (USA) – CCI5*-L – April 24-29
  • Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) – CCI5*-L – May 1-5
  • Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event (USA) – CCI4*-L – May 8-12
  • Tattersalls International Horse Trials (IRE) – CCI4*-L – May 29-31
  • Bromont CCI Three-Day Event (CAN) – CCI4*-L – June 6-9
  • Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials (GER) – CCI5*-L – June 13-16
  • CHIO Aachen (GER) – CCI4*-S – July 18-20
  • The Event at Rebecca Farm (USA) – CCI4*-L – July 25-28
  • Millstreet International Horse Trials (IRE) – CCI4*-L – Aug. 22-25
  • Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) – CCI5*-L – Sept. 5-8
  • Military Boekelo – Enschede (NED) – CCI4*-L – Oct. 10-13
  • The Dutta Corp Fair Hill International (USA) – CCI4*-L – Oct. 16-20
  • Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event (USA) – CCI4*-L – Nov. 13-17

2020

  • Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) – CCI5*-L – April 24-29
  • Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) – CCI5*-L – May 6-10
  • Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event (USA) – CCI4*-L – May 8-12

Additional competitions may be identified as Selection Trials should it become necessary and where practical.

All combinations wishing to compete on the Team must earn a FEI Certificate of Capability between Jan. 1, 2019 and June 2, 2020 at a CCI5*-L, or one CCI4*-S AND one CCI4*-L.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Combinations will be chosen for the team based on the following factors (in no particular order):

  • The overall performance and soundness of the combination in those 2019/2020 competitions designated as selection trials with emphasis on dressage scores, current fitness, cross country, and show jumping performance: jumping without faults and/or incurring time penalties, boldness, rideability, and speed.
  • Additional international experience of the athlete/horse combination; preference may be given to combinations who have demonstrated ability to succeed in multiple international eventing competitions.
  • The rider’s fitness.
  • The combination’s suitability to win an individual medal or contribute to a team medal at the Olympic Games.
  • The willingness of the athlete to work within the confines of Olympic accreditation allocation and restrictions.
  • The behavior of the rider and people associated with the rider (including, without limitation, owners, coaches, and grooms) that may have an impact on creating a positive team environment. Riders will be informed of any concerns regarding behavior.

The selectors are Robert Costello (chair), Jonathan Elliott, Jan Byyny, Debbie Furnas and Phyllis Dawson.

PREPARATIONS

All of the combinations named to the team and reserves will be required to “demonstrate their continued preparation, soundness, and ability” by competing at a preparation event or multiple events. Details regarding the preparation event(s) will be released no later than May 15, 2020. At present it is anticipated that the preparation event(s) will be a CCI4*-S, an Advanced horse trial(s), or Advanced combined test(s) to be held after June 1, 2020.

All team and reserve combinations may be required to participate in mandatory training, except as explained below. At present it is envisioned that the mandatory training will be held sometime after July 1, 2020 in the U.S. potentially in conjunction with pre-export quarantine.

In exceptional circumstances, the selectors may grant a waiver for all or part of the requirements if it is in the perceived best interests of the results of the team.

USEF Links: Tokyo 2020 Eventing Page, Athlete Memo, Selection Procedures

FEI Links: Tokyo 2020 Website, Timetable, Olympic Format Rules

Keep it locked on EN for all the latest news on the trail to Tokyo. Go Eventing!

 

Watch the Galway Downs International Live Stream

By on Nov 2, 2019 11:30 am -

Galway Downs International Event Live Stream

The 2019 Galway Downs International is underway in Temecula, California, and thanks to our friends at Ride On Video we can all follow the action as it unfolds! Watch the live stream via the embed above or click here.

Times shown in Pacific Time. 

Galway Downs 3DE & H.T.: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage

Who Patted Their Horse the Best? Galway Downs International CCI3*-L Edition

By on Nov 1, 2019 1:00 pm -

I may be a sentimental sap, but the dressage photos that I love most aren’t the ones of toe-flinging extended trots across the diagonal, or dramatic uphill canters, or even the perfect flying change. They’re the pics snapped after the final salute, of riders showing their horses some well-deserved love for the big effort they just put forth.

Globe-trotting photog Sherry Stewart, who is freshly returned to the States after a tour of European eventing that took her from Boekelo to Le Lion d’Angers, is at Galway Downs International this week, capturing the action with her lens. You can check out her Thursday dressage photos in Kim Miller’s dressage report here. On behalf of EN, thank you ladies for bringing our readers ringside for West Coast eventing action year-round!

Our “Who Jumped It Best?” series is an EN tradition, but lately we’ve been mixing it up a bit, too! Here’s the latest reincarnation of a reader favorite — you know what to do, EN! Vote for your favorite photo in the poll below.

Galway Downs 3DE & H.T.: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage

Anna Stein & Zaboomafoo. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Kaitlin Vossler & Clear Approval. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Jess Hargrave & Regenmann. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Sophie Click & Quidproquo. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

James Alliston & Cassio’s Picasso KD. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Erin Kellerhouse & Woodford Reserve. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Maddy Mazzola & So Cool. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Tamie Smith & Danito. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Tamie Smith & No App For That. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Kaylawna Smith Cook & Passepartout. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Helen Bouscaren & Paper Jam. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Go Eventing.

Friday News & Notes from World Equestrian Brands

By on Nov 1, 2019 1:00 am -

Halloween, a two-part holiday for the Davidson fam. Photos via Andrea Leatherman Davidson’s Facebook page.

The best social media day of the year is Halloween, no contest, especially if you’re a sucker for photos of pets and small children in costume. Of course I’m partial to my own baby, AKA the party flamingo, but who really won the Facebooks for me yesterday was the Davidson family, who were similarly avian inspired and in Team BDJ colors to boot. Rubber gloves as chicken feet … gimme a break!!! Genius.

We’ll be leading the morning off with a photo gallery from Virginia Horse Trials, where a costume parade of horses and riders took to the jog strip yesterday. Spoiler alert: Will Faudree in a unicorn onesie. Stay tuned.

National Holiday: National Cook For Your Pets Day

Major Weekend Events:

Galway Downs 3DE & H.T. [Website]  [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Virginia 3DE & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Rocking Horse H.T. [Website]  [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Full Gallop H.T. [Website]  [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe: 

Galway Downs International Three-Day Event is underway in Temecula, California. The event kicked off Thursday afternoon with the first horse inspection for the CCI4*-L, CCI3*-L, and CCI2*-L international divisions as well as the Hylofit USEA Classic Series Training Three-Day. After dressage, Tamie Smith leads the CCI3*-L with Danito on 24.3 as well as the CCI4*-L with En Vogue on 28.5. Whitney Tucker Billeter and Bill’s Midnight Magic leads the Training Three-Day on 25.9. [USEA: All Clear But One in Galway Downs International First Horse Inspection]

At Galway? A US Equestrian Open Athlete Forum will be held during the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event in Temecula, California, today at 4:30 p.m. PST in the Patron’s Tent. The final Open Athlete Forum of the 2019 season will take place during the Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event, Nov. 13-17 in Reddick, Florida. Exact day/time to be confirmed. The High Performance sessions at the 2019 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention will take place on Friday, Dec. 13 in Boston, Massachusetts. [Schedule and session times]

If you or your friends have been waiting impatiently for CrossCountry App on Android, here is your chance to test this exciting new app for free. You can download it from the Early Access Play Store and get updates just like a regular app, but it may not work perfectly all the time. That’s where testers come in: CrossCounty need you to report bugs and issues to help get it ready for its official release. It’s got all the features you know and love in the iPhone app with a an exciting new look and feel. [Get the Android App]

British Eventing membership prices, entry and start fees, prize money and abandonment insurance are all set to increase next season as the organisation looks at “revamping its membership offerings.” BE CEO Jude Matthews said BE and the British Event Organisers Association had agreed a formula for calculating any increase in entry fees, which was “designed to reflect the increasing costs an organiser incurs year on year.” [Horse & Hound: Cost of eventing to rise as more membership options considered]

Featured Video: OK, OK, OK here’s a teaser🦄.

 

Will Faudree you are my hero 😍😂 #happyhalloween #bestturnedout #spirit #goeventing

Posted by Valerie Vizcarrondo Pride on Thursday, October 31, 2019

And the Winner of the ‘Spooktacular’ SmartPak Supplement Shellout Is …

By on Oct 31, 2019 3:30 pm -

In the spirit of Halloween, last week we asked you to tell us what spooks your horse and your answers were … hilarious. Forget ghosts and ghouls — our equines will take pretty much any excuse to run the other way in terror.

A sampling of reader responses to our “Spooktacular” SmartPak Supplement Shellout, featuring a month’s supply of SmartCalm Ultra up for grabs:

  • The pitchfork that I just used to clean up her manure, and then placed against the wall near her on the cross ties. Absolutely terrifying!
  • My son’s Batman house. My 6-year-old son brought his Batman house out to play with in the arena sand, and when my horse saw it out of the corner of his eye he shot sideways across the length of the ring!
  • The pile of manure he just made last time around the arena
  • Turkeys spook my horse the most.
  • A mailbox
  • Leaves and corn husks “chasing” him
  • Cows
  • A wood stump that moved 6 inches
  • Horse racing up behind him
  • Wind
  • Leaves rustling in the wind (happened yesterday)
  • A deer statue
  • Leaves
  • Trampolines
  • His cooler hanging on the same chair it always hangs on!
  • Jumps in the corner of the arena he sees every single day
  • Well I own a mare … any horse that breathes next to her! I can be talking to a person the next thing I know we have gone sideways, hence no more conversation!
  • Depends on the day. Sometimes dirt in the concrete floor, water drops, shadows on the wall, almost anything!
  • Birds!! Flying birds, sitting birds, live birds, dead birds, chickens, geese, all birds are terrifying!
  • His own shadow!
  • Umbrellas
  • Big ears! Donkeys, bunnies, mules….
  • Loud car engines.
  • The mounting block. Every time.
  • New jumps, anything NEW … honestly.
  • Tractors … always tractors!
  • Dogs running around
  • Other horses. Literally spooks at the horses passing him in the arena, on trails, at shows … Mirrors don’t scare him though, must be a streak of vanity!
  • My husband taking out the trash
  • Garbage trucks.
  • Probably running out of food!
  • His blanket … like, me trying to put it on him. Obviously, I am trying to smother him. 🙄
  • EVERYTHING

And the winner, drawn at random, is …. Carey Shefte! Whose horse is apparently terrified of the mailbox. Not just any mailbox, mind you, but THIS mailbox in particular. 

Carey explains: “Here’s my little horse today facing his scary place. We pass by at least six or more mailboxes, many creek crossings and a scary bridge to get to this spot. He’s good about it now, but the first time by here,my trusty terriers, that ride out with me, had to give him a lead!”

Carey’s prize: SmartCalm Ultra Pellets, which can help persuade even the most spook-prone horses to take a breath. Features include …

  • An herb-free formula for nervous system function
  •  Ingredients including vitamins minerals and amino acids to help minimize excessive skittishness
  •  A tasty pellet with no added sugar!

Best of luck to Carey and her steed, who sounds like he’s got a bright future ahead. “He’s just recently ended his racing career and I have hopes for him to start foxhunting next season,” Carey says.

For more chances to win, keep an eye out for our November SmartPak Supplement Shellout coming soon!

Go Eventing.

ERA of NA Issues Statement on ‘FEI Article 549.2 – Run Out – Missing a Flag’ & Proposed Changes

By on Oct 29, 2019 4:05 pm -

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

FEI 2019 Eventing Rule Article 549.2 – Run Out – Missing a Flag has proven confusing and controversial since it was implemented at the beginning of this year (click here for EN’s best attempt at a clear-as-mud explanation of the rule). A Change.org petition compelling the FEI to remove the flag rule has garnered well over 5,000 signatures, and multiple elite level eventers have spoken out publicly in favor of revision.

The Eventing Riders Association of North America (ERA of NA) recently released the following statement:

“For much of the 2019 season FEI 2019 Eventing Rule Article 549.2 – Run Out – Missing a Flag has been a consistent source of discussion and confusion. This past weekend at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International this 15 Penalty Rule came into play and had a profound effect on the competition results, as well as prize money and FEI Ranking point allocations. This past weekend was not the first instance in North America that this rule has been applied with deeply warranted concerns for riders, owners and the entire eventing constituency. North American competitions have seen this rule have more influence on results than competitions held on any other continent.

“The ERA of NA would like to reiterate their support of the proposed changes to Article 549.2 that will be discussed and voted on at the FEI General Assembly November 16-19, 2019 and would go into effect January 1, 2020. The proposed updated wording would be as follows:

“Article No. 549.2 Run out – Missing a flag:

a) Clear: A Horse is considered to have cleared the fence when the head, neck and both shoulders of the Horse (to the point of the front of the saddle) pass between the extremities of the element or obstacle as originally flagged and the hindquarters of the horse jump the dimensions of the fence.

b) Missing a flag: A horse is considered to have missed a flag (15 penalties) if part of the Horses head, neck or shoulder (to the point of the front of the saddle) jump outside the extremities of the element or obstacle as originally flagged. The hindquarters must jump the dimensions of the fence.

c) Run-Out: A Horse is considered to have run out (20 penalties) if, having been presented at an element or obstacle on the course, it avoids it in such a way that the head, neck and both shoulders (to the point of the front of the saddle) fail to pass between the extremities of the element or obstacle as originally flagged or the hindquarters have not jumped dimensions of the fence. Continuing on course will incur elimination.

“The ERA of NA supports the proposed changes for Article No. 549.2 but the implementation and transparency of the rule going forward needs to be amended.

“While the ERA of NA believes this update is an improvement on the current rule, we also believe the following points should be considered and implemented.

  •  Assessment and adjudication of Article 549.2 should be handled uniformly at every FEI competition regardless of level or location.
  •  Should there be a question as to whether a horse-and-rider combination has cleared a fence, the issue should be reviewed immediately by the Technical Delegate and/or a member of the Ground Jury as opposed to waiting until the end of the competition day.
  • The Official Video that is reviewed by the Ground Jury should be made public in a timely fashion to aid in transparency and serve as an educational resource for riders, officials and the eventing constituency.
  • Video or photographs other than the Official Video should be allowed to be submitted and reviewed when an appeal is made.
  • At fences where Official Video will be used for review, a clear marker of where the camera will be placed should be present at the time the course officially becomes open. In addition, there should be clear guidelines for officials as to the positioning of cameras to ensure the fair and consistent application of the rule.
  • When setting the flags on a narrow fence or corner, Course Designers could further consider the positioning of flags in a way that increases the likelihood horses are not penalized when a good faith effort has been made to jump the fence correctly.”

The 2019 FEI General Assembly 2019 will be held in Moscow, Russia, Nov. 16 to 19. All proposed rule changes and proposed modifications can be accessed here. We’ll be sure to keep you updated.

[ERA of NA Statement Regarding FEI Article 549.2 – Run Out – Missing a Flag and Proposed Changes]

Around the World with Erik Duvander and Team USA

By on Oct 29, 2019 2:50 pm -

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

It feels like we haven’t had a moment to catch our breaths yet this year, with eventing action virtually non-stop week after week, month after month, stateside and beyond. I don’t have the numbers in front of me, but it certainly feels like we’ve had a record amount of U.S. representation abroad as Erik Duvander, USEF Eventing Performance Director, continues his determined effort to help our team gain traction on the international stage.

Throughout it all, we’ve greatly appreciated Erik’s communication, transparency and willingness to bring fans and supporters along on the team’s journey. He generously took the time to share a team update in the US Equestrian Eventing newsletter that landed in members’ inboxes this afternoon.

“Dear U.S. Eventing Community,

“Having achieved our Olympic qualification in Lima, winning the team gold and individual gold and silver, our greatest success at the Pan American Games was in how the team – from grooms, support team and riders – worked together to reach our goals. I was very proud of this team, as there is a very different and greater pressure in having to step up and win compared to just doing your best. The Pan American Games were Joanie Morris’ final tour with the team as Managing Director of Eventing. I think this was the best send-off we could give her after six years of servicing and supporting the team. She will be truly missed by all.

A golden result for Team USA at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

“The following week, we flew to Tokyo for the Olympic Test Event. Having been to the Equestrian Park before, which was built for 1964 Tokyo Olympics and lies in the middle of the city, it was amazing to see how the venue has been rebuilt to an absolute world-class permanent setup for dressage and show jumping. There are plenty of training arenas and air-conditioned stables, an indoor school, a vet clinic, a small area for cross country training and a gallop track. We did not get to see the Olympic Village, but we saw the newly laid cross country by the waterfront that Derek di Grazia has been planning and working on as course designer. Derek has done a super job laying out a 10-minute course on a fairly small area of land. It will for sure be hot and humid, and a lot of coordination will be required as we will be working out of three hubs. There will be travel in heavy traffic involved between the Equestrian Park, Olympic Village and the cross country course. It will be one of the most amazing Olympics, the food is fantastic, and the Japanese are incredibly organised and friendly. I truly hope we will have many supporters coming out next year to Tokyo.

Australia’s Andrew Hoy and Bloom Des Hauts Crets. Photo by FEI/Yusuke Nakanishi.

“After Tokyo, I flew to Ireland to have a four-day camp with our four riders going to compete at Millstreet. Holding training camps is something we do before championships, and I wanted to trial it for riders going to events abroad. It will not be possible to hold training camps every time we have riders overseas, but the feedback from the riders at Millstreet was very good, so we did the same in the lead-up for Boekelo and got the same feedback. This also gives me another opportunity to work with riders outside the Training List and arrive to the event with everyone on the same page. All our riders performed well at Millstreet, which is one of my favourite European venues.

“Burghley Horse Trials was next in line for us, with a record number of 11 U.S. combinations competing there. Walking the cross country course, it felt bigger and more technical this year and proved to be so. Every five-star course in the world has its own unique challenges to ride, but Burghley is definitely the toughest. It was great to see four U.S. riders finish in the top 15, and I hope our riders will continue to go there and try to close the gap to the top three. I know we can do it if we take the learnings from this year and work on it. Ariel Grald and her lovely young horse, Leamore Master Plan, who was awarded a Jacqueline B. Mars International Competition Grant, won the prize for best first-timer at Burghley with her 10th placing. We are fortunate to have these grants, and it is good to see when they pay dividends.

Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan navigate the Trout Hatchery en route to 10th place at Burghley. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

“A few weeks ago, we traveled to Boekelo with a team to compete at the Nations Cup Final, which also served as a trial for the new Olympic format. Our plan was to go there and be competitive but also to learn more from competing in the new format. Boekelo has become one of the most competitive competitions in the world with a lot of very high-quality combinations, and this year had a new course designer in Adrian Ditcham, who did a fantastic job. Boekelo’s motto is to be the best event but also the most fun event in the world, so it was fantastic to have more than 50 U.S. owners and supporters there backing our team and also having fun. I hope we can continue to grow this interest in the future, as I believe it is a big part of what we should be doing as an organisation.

Team USA out in force at Boekelo. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

“We came off with a good start in the dressage, but after having one combination down in the cross country, our team chances were out, as there is no drop score under the new Olympic format. There is an ongoing conversation and debate around this new format with three riders on a team. However, this is how it will be at the 2020 Olympics, and it is up to us to have a game plan accordingly. This was also our new Managing Director of Eventing Jenni Autry’s first team competition in her role, and she did her duties with flying colours.

Erik Duvander walks the Boekelo show jumping course with team member Jennie Brannigan. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

“This year we have continuously worked on improving the connection between High Performance and our athletes in the eventing community. We have had several Open Forums at events this year, and will have our last ones at Galway Downs in California this weekend and at the Ocala Jockey Club in Florida next month. It is an opportunity for riders to ask questions about High Performance, and for us to give relevant information to our community. We have also been more involved in regular meetings with the Eligible Athletes Working Group, which Lynn Symansky does a great job with as Chair. We have a clear picture of how to run the High Performance Program, but we get very valuable feedback and information from this group that will help us consistently improve our program.

“It is with a bit of sadness to have seen the last Fair Hill International CCI4*-L at the old venue. Derek di Grazia built once again one of the best CCI4*-L cross country courses I have seen on the best land you can possibly find for our sport. However, everyone I have spoken to who has been to the new Fair Hill facilities on the other side of the road have been very impressed. I am myself very excited about having another CCI5*-L in the U.S. in 2020 and can’t wait to have the opportunity to see what Fair Hill’s team has accomplished.

“Sincerely,

Erik Duvander”

Go Team USA. Go Eventing!

Product Review: Équilibre ‘Firm Grip’ Hand Cream

By on Oct 29, 2019 8:59 am -

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Horses are hard on hands. We’re out in the elements, we’re tugging on lead ropes and gripping reins, we’re hands-on in the truest respect. So we need a hand cream that works as hard as we do. After all, having “good hands” is the goal, right?

Équilibre, a line of cosmetics designed to benefit both equestrians and their horses, sought to create that product. Their Firm Grip Hand Cream contains “carefully chosen ingredients that pamper your skin, while also being 100% safe for animals, even soothing their senses.”

Those ingredients:

  • Organic lavender, which has a scientifically proven soothing effect on horses (and humans as well!)
  • Cocoa beans, a staple in skincare that helps nourish the skin, soothe irritation and itching, and keep it well hydrated.
  • Olives, the raw ingredient used to obtain squalane, a super-light oil that moisturizes, soothes and protects your skin.
  • … and more. Équilibre spent a great deal of time searching for the best ingredients, all of which are listed and thoroughly described on the website.

Olives, cocoa beans and lavender. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

With cold weather coming on, I always have to pay extra attention to my skincare, and hands especially. Cracks are NO BUENO. I’m excited to head into winter this year with Équilibre Hand Cream on my side, as it ticks all the boxes of what riders need to keep our mitts soft and protective year-round.

Almost but not quite as soft as your mitts, barn kitty. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

First things first, the name “Firm Grip” applies. The cream absorbs into skin quickly and leaves no greasy residue that is going to be a magnet for dirt and horse hair or be slippery on reins. All that remains after application is a pleasant, silky-smooth finish.

The next thing I noticed was its scent, a delicate aroma of lavender and rose geranium. In her “Weekly Training Tip” column last week, top eventer Kate Chadderton talked about the five senses — sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch — and how they uniquely inform horses’ and humans’ experiences of the world and one another. Smell is a big one for horses; Kate notes that horses rely on smell to find safe forage and to identify potential threats.

With that in mind, I’ve always avoided bringing potentially irritating scents, like perfume, into the barn. But it is possible to use horses’ sensitive sense of smell to our advantage; I can personally attest to the power of lavender to encourage rest and relaxation, whether as a drop of essential oil sprinkled on my pillowcase or used in a warm bath with epsom salts, so it makes sense to bring this soothing scent into the barn.

Human tested, pony approved. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

I wholeheartedly recommend Équilibre Hand Cream, and will be keeping a bottle of it by the tack cleaning station from here on out. No cracks this winter! #skincaregoals

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Learn more about Équilibre’s philosophy and check out their full line of products, which also includes a “Strong Start” Face Cream and “Smooth Ride” Body Lotion, at the website here. Find a local partner store near you here.

Go Eventing!

 

 

 

 

 

The 2020 Emerging Athlete Eventing 25 Application Process Opens Today

By on Oct 25, 2019 1:22 pm -

2019 Eventing 25 participant Jenny Caras finished 3rd in the CCI4*-L at Fair Hill last weekend with Fernhill Fortitude. Photo by Abby Powell.

Creating a pipeline of future team and elite athletes is the goal of the US Equestrian’s Emerging Athlete Eventing 18 and Eventing 25 programs. The Emerging Athlete Lists are the first step in the athlete pathway as developed in the 2019 Strategic Plan, connecting promising athletes with training and support; past participants of the program like Jenny Caras, Hallie Coon and Caroline Martin have since proven themselves competitive on the world’s biggest stages.

The 2020 Eventing 25 application process opens today, Friday, October 25, 2019!

How to Apply:

Applications will be located in the Athlete Dashboard area of your MY USEF Member Account. Please note that all programs are subject to funding. The 2020 budget has not been confirmed.

Log in to your My USEF Member Account → Athlete Dashboard → Online Applications→ Eventing→ Year: 2020

Applications for the 2019 Eventing 25 Program will be due Friday, Nov. 29, 2019. No late applications will be accepted! Only those who have applied will be considered. Competition videos may be requested from athletes. The Eventing 25 Program will have an annual selection for a two-year period, with a review every six months and a Retention Review at one year. Starting in 2020, athletes may participate in the program for a maximum of four years. The expectation is that athletes would progress to the Development Potential by the age of 25 or within four years.

Eligibility and Application Requirements:

  • Rider must be 25 years old or younger according to the FEI (born on or after January 1, 1995).
  • Rider must have achieved an MER at a CCI3*-L.
    • Please note in your application if you plan to achieve your CCI3*L MER at the Ocala Jockey Club – Nov. 14-17, 2019 (applications will not be reviewed by the Performance Advisory Team until after the Ocala Jockey Club)
  • Applicants can be ‘Talent Spotted’ if  they do not meet this criteria, but still must submit an application.
  • Rider must be an USEF Active member.
  • Rider must submit a link to current professional video(s) of competition(s).

Questions? Contact Christina Vaughn at [email protected].

Go Eventing.

A Hat Trick for Hazel Shannon? Entries Live for Australian International Three-Day Event

By on Oct 25, 2019 7:00 am -

Defending Adelaide champions Hazel Shannon and Willingapark Clifford at the 2019 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Entries for the Australian International Three-Day Event at Adelaide have been released, with 22 combinations slated to come forward for the Mitsubishi Motors CCI5* on Nov. 14-17, 2019, the final five-star of the year.

Two-time champion Hazel Shannon (AUS), who won the CCI4* in 2016 with Clifford and won it again in 2018 with Willingapark Clifford, will return to defend her title. She and the 14-year-old Australian Thoroughbred owned by Terrence Snow will be making a strong bid for a hat trick this year, as they’ve finished in the top two at six out of seven of their last international outings. Adelaide will be their second five-star this year, as they finished 26th at Kentucky this spring.

Another two-two champion, Stuart Tinney (AUS), won in 2009 with Vettori and 2011 with Panamera. He comes forward this year with Leporis, an 8-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Karen Tinney, for the horse’s five-star debut. Megan Jones (AUS), who won the event in 2005 with Kirby Park Irish Jester, returns with Kirby Park Impress, a 12-year-old Thoroughbred/Australian Stock Horse mare who finished second at Adelaide in 2017.

Eight out of the 2018 top 10 finishers are returning to Adelaide this year, giving the event the air of a rematch. How might we see this year’s leaderboard reshuffled?

Last year Amanda Pottinger (NZL) and Just Kidding, a 12-year-old Thoroughbred (Fusaichi Pegasus x Gypsy Princess, by Sadler’s Wells) owned by the Pottinger family, led through cross country and finished in second after an unlucky show jumping round. An impressive result for their debut at the level, and they’ll be ones to watch this year.

Third-place 2018 finishers Sonja Johnson (AUS) and Misty Isle Valentino, an 11-year-old Arabian Warmblood (Tani Mani Dances With Wolves x Valuka, by Stirling Lukas) owned by the rider and Phoebe Johnson, are also on the list, as well as fourth-placed Emily Gray (AUS) with Jocular Vision, fifth-placed Hayley Frielick (NZL) with Class Action LP, seventh-placed Emma Bishop (AUS) with CP Issey Miyake, eighth-placed Lauren Browne (AUS) with Sky’s Da Limit, ninth-placed Madeline Wilson (AUS) with Im Bruce.

There are several others who’ll be issuing challenge including Australian Olympian Amanda Ross, who finished 10th at Blenheim CCI4*-L last season with WEG reserve Koko Popping Candy.

Our friends at An Eventful Life have several fun facts woven into their entry list preview — check it out here. View complete entry lists for the CCI5*-L, CCI4*-S and CCI3*-L here.

Entries by Rider/Horse/Nationality

Amanda Pottinger JUST KIDDING NZL
Amanda Ross KOKO POPPING CANDY AUS
Andrew Cooper REDUCTION AUS
Bundy Philpott TRESCA NZPH NZL
Diane Gilder YOUR ATTORNEY NZL
Emily Gray JOCULAR VISION AUS
Emma Bishop CP ISSEY MIYAKE AUS
Hamish Cargill LEGOLAS KPH AUS
Hayley Frielick CLASS ACTION LP NZL
Hazel Shannon WILLINGAPARK CLIFFORD AUS
Jade Findlay OAKS CORDELIA AUS
James Lang MOUSETANG AUS
Jessica Grosmann BELMONT BACKSTAGE AUS
Lauren Browne SKY’S DA LIMIT AUS
Madeline Wilson IM BRUCE AUS
Megan Jones KIRBY PARK IMPRESS AUS
Michael Dagostino KINNORDY GATOW AUS
Rebekah Italiano ESB IRISH PATIENCE AUS
Sarah Clark LV BALOU JEANZ AUS
Sonja Johnson MISTY ISLE VALENTINO AUS
Stuart Tinney LEPORIS AUS
Tanya Schmidt LAURENTINO AUS

Australia International Three-Day Event: Website, Entries

 

A Very ‘Spooktacular’ SmartPak Supplement Shellout: Enter to Win SmartCalm Ultra!

By on Oct 22, 2019 2:30 pm -

I’ve owned several event horses who tried to tell me the dressage arena was haunted. To this horse’s credit, that dressage letter marker does kiiiiiind of resemble a tombstone. Illustration by Morgane Schmidt/The Idea of Order via Horse Nation.

October is the spookiest month of the year — and we don’t just mean Halloween. That nippy autumn chill can have even the most placid event horse seeing “ghosts” lurking in arena corners and “boogie monsters” dwelling beneath jumps.

A calming supplement like SmartCalm Ultra Pellets can help persuade your spook-prone horse to take a breath. It features:

  • An herb-free formula for nervous system function
  •  Ingredients including vitamins minerals and amino acids to help minimize excessive skittishness
  •  A tasty pellet with no added sugar!

Sound like something your horse could use?

Tell us what spooks YOUR horse using the Rafflecopter widget below. We’ll share your responses and pick one winner at random to win a month supply of SmartCalm Ultra from our friends at SmartPak. Entries accepted through next Monday, Oct. 28, and we’ll announce the winner in time for Halloween!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday News & Notes from Fleeceworks

By on Oct 21, 2019 1:01 am -

Photo by Dr. Shekina Moore.

A small but passionate group of horse people gathered at Tryon International Equestrian Center on Saturday to real-talk about a topic that doesn’t get enough attention in our sport: diversity. For the 2019 Tom Bass Seminar, I was honored to be included among a panel comprised of Julian Hyde of the Equestrian Federation of Jamaica; Stanford Moore of Black Reins magazine; Julian Seaman of the Badminton Horse Trials; and Hillary Tucker from Alltech, with Melvin Cox of SportsQuest International, LLC moderating.

The conversation was thoughtful and electric. We talked about access, color vs. class, community and representation, addressing the problem during the morning session and brainstorming solutions in the afternoon. I left feeling inspired and called to action, and I promise you a full report on the seminar soon!

In the meantime, no rest for the eventing weary. After a head-spinning couple of weeks with live coverage from Boekelo, Le Lion d’Angers and Fair Hill, we now head to the penultimate four-star of 2019 at Pau. Check out Tilly’s preview of the entry list here.

National Holiday: National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day

Major Events:

Fair Hill International: Website, CCI Results, YEH Results,  EN’s Coverage,

Le Lion d’Angers: Website, Results (CCI2*-L), Results (CCI3*-L), EN’s Coverage

U.S. Weekend Results:

Tryon Riding & Hunt Club H.T. [Website] [Results]

Hagyard Midsouth CCI, 3DE, & H.T. [Website] [Results]

Fresno County H.T. [Website]  [Results]

Pine Hill Fall H.T. [Website]  [Results]

Monday News & Notes:

Some incredibly inspiring stories have emerged from the Wobbleberry Challenge, a BW80 one-day event that benefits Hannah Francis’ Willberry Wonder Pony charity. The latest from Horse & Hound: [‘I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry or pee myself!’ Rider beats the odds to event on horse who cheated death] [‘This can’t be the end for me’: rider defies cancer and life-changing surgery to take on eventing challenge]

2019 YEH East and West Coast Champions have been crowned. From the East Coast Championships at Fair Hill in Maryland: Alyssa Phillips’ FE Celestino, a Mecklenburg gelding (Ce-Matin x Antigone), was ridden by Jennie Brannigan to win the 5-Year-Old Champion title. Excel Star Time To Shine, an Irish Sport Horse gelding (Luidam x Lismore Bella) owned by the Dare to Dream Team, won the 4-Year-Old class with Courtney Cooper. From the West Coast Championships at Fresno County Horse Park in California: Allyson Hartenburg’s off-the-track Thoroughbred gelding Mucho Me Gusto (Macho Uno x Ghostkeeper) took home the 5-year-old YEH title. Amber Levine and Keep Calm, her own Dutch Warmblood gelding (Biscayo x Beauty), won the 4-Year-Old Championship. The USEA did a great job with coverage of the two events and we thank them for their continued support of the YEH program. [2019 YEH East Coast Champions Collect Their Crowns] [Quality Beats Quantity at the 2019 USEA YEH West Coast Championships]

A petition to remove the 15-point penalty for “missing a flag” is just a handful of names away from reaching its goal of 5,000 signatures. FEI Eventing Rule 549.2 came under fire once again on Saturday at Fair Hill, where multiple combinations were penalized for taking out the flag at the B element of the Farm House Corners. Phillip Dutton and Z dropped from 2nd to 9th, while Doug Payne with Vandiver, Will Coleman with Don Dante, and Mike Pendleton with Steady Eddie all would have slotted into the top 10 were it not for penalties at the fence. [Change.org]

Our Aussie friends at An Eventful Life have published a preview of 2019 Mitsubishi Motors Australian International 3 Day Event, the final five-star of 2019. The event takes place Nov. 14-17. This year’s cross country course will run in reverse direction with a new start/finish, and with entries closed we’ll stay tuned for a run-down of entries — “But we can tell you that defending champion Hazel Shannon will be back, the Kiwis are coming and Olympians abound!” [Adelaide Preview]

Featured Video: Japanese eventer Kazuma Tomoto, who has four horses already qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, reflects on his performance with Bernadette Utopia at the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Final last week at Boekelo.

Watch Le Lion d’Angers Cross Country Live

By on Oct 19, 2019 7:00 am -

Enjoy cross country LIVE from the FEI World Breeding Eventing Championships for Young Horses at the Haras National in Le Lion d’Angers! Catch up on Tilly’s dressage report here. Heading into cross country, American representative Liz Halliday-Sharp is 9th on Cooley Moonshine on 29.3 and 18th on Flash Cooley on 30.4. Tight field!

Check out the running order for the six-year-old class (from 10.00 a.m. local/9.00 a.m. British time/4.00 a.m. Eastern) here, and the seven-year-old class (from 13.00 p.m. local/12.00 p.m. British/7.00 a.m. Eastern) here.

Le Lion d’Angers: Website, Entries, Results, Ride Times (CCI2*-L), Entries, Results, Ride Times (CCI3*-L), EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Friday News & Notes from World Equestrian Brands

By on Oct 18, 2019 1:01 am -

Congrats to Tiahn Barnard and Nangkita SuperNova, winners of the E.A. Mattes “Fab Freebie” contest! Photo submitted by her mother Laureen Barnard.

EN readers voted Aussie young rider Tiahn Barnard the winner of last week’s E.A. Mattes “Fab Freebie” cross country style contest — congrats, Tiahn! We received nearly 700 entries and put the top 15 to a vote — this pair and their colorful getup received over 1,000 of your votes for the win. They will receive a Couture Ear Bonnet and Platinum Collection Quilt Only Pad in Jump Eurofit or All-Purpose Square from our friends at E.A. Mattes and World Equestrian Brands.

Tiahn is 16 and competes in a range of activities with her 8-year-old Thoroughbred Nangkita SuperNova: Pony Club, hunting, eventing and show jumping. Tiahn is in the Victorian Development Squad for Eventing and for Showjumping and just returned from Pony Club Nationals, where she came first in Junior Quiz. Nangkita SuperNova was bred for racing but never made it to the track, and got a late start to a riding career — she wasn’t even properly started under saddle until nearly age 5. “She’s a gentle natured, sensitive ‘pingy pony’ with a big heart,” says Tiahn’s mother Laureen, “and my daughter has taken her from a couple of unofficial 60 class starts to 1* (and E grade/60 to B grade/115 SJ) in 18 months. Pretty darn proud of them.”

National Holiday: National Chocolate Cupcake Day

Major Weekend Events:

Fair Hill International: Website, Drawn Order, Schedule, CCI Dressage Ride Times, YEH Ride Times, CCI Scoring, YEH Scoring, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Le Lion d’Angers: Website, Entries and Ride Times (CCI2*-L), Entries and Ride Times (CCI3*-L), EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Tryon Riding & Hunt Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Hagyard Midsouth CCI, 3DE, & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Fresno County H.T. [Website]  [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Pine Hill Fall H.T. [Website]  [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Friday News: 

Attention all USA athletes and eventing stakeholders at Fair Hill International! Please join Erik Duvander, Leslie Law and Bobby Costello for a High Performance Open Forum at 4 p.m. Friday in the Stabling Tent to discuss updates to the USEF Eventing High Performance program initiatives. [FHI]

Interested in joining the conversation about how to create a healthier, more inclusive, more diverse sport? The 2019 Tom Bass Seminar will examine issues related to diversity in the equestrian industry as part of the 2nd Annual Day of the African Equestrian. The seminar is presented free to the public and will take place Saturday, Oct. 19 at TIEC as an adjunct to the Tryon Fall IV Horse Show. Representing eventing on the panel are Julian Seaman, Media Director of the Badminton Horse Trials, and Leslie Wylie (yours truly!) of EN. [Register to Attend]

Marilyn Little is off to a blazing start at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, where she and Karen O’Connor’s Clearwater bested a field of 33 riders in the $10,000 1.40m Speed Challenge. EN’s sister site Jumper Nation has the story. [Little & Chapot Set the Pace at the 2019 Pennsylvania National Horse Show]

The USEA’s sprawling “USEA Events A-Z” series rolls on with a feature on Sporting Days Farm in Aiken, SC. It’s been running since 1993 and is a staple of the early season calendar for Aiken snowbirds. “We pride ourselves as being the friendliest ‘neigh’berly’ event,” says Sporting Days owner Joannah Hall Glass. [USEA]

Fresh off representing Team USA at Boekelo, Liz Halliday-Sharp is now at Le Lion d’Angers with two entries in the seven-ear-old class: Cooley Moonshine, who scored a 29.3 to sit third overnight, and Flash Cooley, who’ll do his dressage test today. Josephine Schaufer of Germany is the provisional leader with Viktor 107. Sherry Stewart is ringside once again, and sent these gorgeous photos of Liz from the first horse inspection our way. [Le Lion d’Angers]

Hot on Horse Nation: World Equestrian Brands Drone Cam – Swimming Horse

Just in on Jumper Nation: Glorioso Rides Aside to Ladies Hunter Sidesaddle Championship at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show

Featured Video: You know how I love my Intro eventers! Kate Vorobieff and Mr. Perfect turned in a perfect performance to win the Intro B division at Woodside International H.T. earlier this month. They took the lead on their dressage score of 29.0 and never looked back for the win. Well-played, you two! [Ride On Video]

Fair Hill Instagram Roundup: The Soggiest Jog

By on Oct 17, 2019 4:47 pm -

I’m not at ALL sad to have not been at Fair Hill yesterday for that rain-drenched first horse inspection. Not sad, not sorry, not even one little bit. And yet, you eventers marched out there into the pouring rain, smiling and making the best of it, as you do. Let’s have a look at some of your photos from the day:

View this post on Instagram

Pippy accepted ✔️

A post shared by Lynn Symansky (@lynn.symansky.equestrian) on

Thankfully, today’s skies dawned significantly clearer.

A bit chilly, but you guys look pretty cute all bundled up, too.

Best of luck to all at Fair Hill International 2019! Go Eventing.

#DuttaFHI: Website, Drawn Order, Schedule, CCI Dressage Ride Times, YEH Ride Times, CCI Scoring, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Unresolved Questions and Post-Boekelo Reflections

By on Oct 15, 2019 4:57 pm -

The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team from left to right: Matt Flynn, Tamie Smith, Jennie Brannigan, Liz Halliday-Sharp and Chef d’Equipe Erik Duvander. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

We’re already less than a year out from the 2020 Olympics, and for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team all efforts are squarely centered on producing a podium result in Tokyo and beyond. In that sense, our representation at last week’s Military Boekelo CCIO4*-L and FEI Eventing Nations Cup Final felt more significant than usual. Additionally, Boekelo served as the final event to test the new Olympic format of teams of three plus one reserve before the Games.

If you followed EN’s coverage you already know how things shook out for Team USA, comprised of Tamie Smith, Liz Halliday-Sharp, Jennie Brannigan and reserve Matt Flynn — we finished eighth out of 12 total teams. (View complete team results here, and individual results here.) A few questions you might still be scratching your head about, though, despite Tilly’s valiant effort to guide us through the format changes:

“Wait, why did Jennie show jump after being eliminated cross country?”

True, Jennie was unfortunately eliminated on cross country after a rider fall from Stella Artois at fence 15 halfway around the course. Under the new Olympic format, the fall added 200 penalties to her score but allowed her to continue on to show jumping. The pair went on to deliver the only clear show jumping round for the team on Sunday.

“Did team reserve Matt’s scores end up counting toward the team total?”

Nope. Our total team score of 305.3 was the combination of Tamie, Liz and Jennie’s combined dressage penalty scores (89.7) + cross country penalties (203.2) + show jumping penalties (12.4). Matt could have only been subbed in (with 20 penalties added) if another horse had to be withdrawn for a medical reason, i.e. couldn’t trot up on Sunday or was spun on Sunday, but Jennie’s 200 cross country penalties would still be non-refundable.

“What the heck was up with that show jumping order of go?”

If it looked a bit jumbled, it’s because individual competitors jumped before teams. Via Olympic format, at Tokyo there’ll be a team jumping round and an individual one for those who qualify for it, which will be much easier to follow.

Clear as mud? If you have any other questions, please post them in the comments section and we’ll try to give you the straightest line to an answer as possible.

Let’s hear what the team had to say about the competition, the new format and the team experience.

Erik Duvander, Chef d’Equipe: “The purpose for this year’s Boekelo team was to give these riders the opportunity to be tested under pressure in a team environment while traveling abroad. We held a four-day training camp prior to the competition where it was made clear to the riders that they were being tested on their ability to work together as a team. The riders had to put forward their performance expectations and identify what they wanted to get out of the trip. This will all be reviewed through a questionnaire and post-competition interview with each rider.

“The four days spent at training camp were useful in that the riders had time to get comfortable with me, and I had time to get to know the combinations better, as the majority of these horses were not on the High Performance training lists. The idea was to get away from their busy day-to-day environments and then narrow down their focus for this event. All of the riders stepped up and put a focus and emphasis on being good team members while maintaining a competitive edge.

“This team was about investing into combinations that could be competitive in three years’ time at the 2022 World Games. I am very positive about the possibilities around this group of riders and the quality of the horses. I was also delighted to see more than 50 owners and supporters who made the effort to come out to the Netherlands and support our team. I hope it was a joyful experience for them and an opportunity to connect more with what we are aiming to achieve in the High Performance program. I wish in the future to regularly replicate this experience for our supporters at Boekelo.”

Jenni Autry, Managing Director of Eventing: “The positive environment and strong camaraderie within the team and amongst our supporters as a whole set the tone for the trip. We are incredibly grateful for the enormous effort made by all who traveled to Boekelo.”

Tamie Smith: “Having the opportunity to compete at Boekelo this year was invaluable. At this level, it is about how to shave every tenth of a point off your score. Observing and competing with the best in the world is something the U.S. riders must continue to do in order to rise to be the best. Having that experience has been instrumental in developing me. I’m grateful to have had this practice to ride on a team and strategize how to produce our best result. My lessons learned with each trip abroad have catapulted my results at future competitions. I would not have been able to gain this exposure without the continued support of USEF’s sponsors and USET Foundation donors who are helping the team become the best.”

Liz Halliday-Sharp: “It’s always an honor to be part of a team and to get the experience that comes with it. This week in Boekelo was particularly useful, as it was not only a chance for me to be in a team scenario with a young, up-and-coming horse, but it also gave us the chance to test out the Olympic format. The whole team worked well together, and we all did our very best to deliver good performances in each phase. I think both horses and people have learned a lot this week, and we will all come away knowing what we need to work on to continue improving our competitive performances.”

Jennie Brannigan: “Being able to work as a good team member, even when it didn’t go my way – and then jumping around clear on Sunday after feeling very disappointed about letting the team down – was a huge learning takeaway from the experience. I believe in the U.S. and Erik as a coach and was honored to be selected to [the team].”

Matt Flynn: “Our team effort was epic. Jennie stood by in my warmup after her fall. Liz was right there overseeing Wizzerd in cool out. Tamie met me in the stables before my round and at the finish. Frankie (Theriot-Stutes, who was originally named to the team but withdrew prior to the competition) came halfway across the world to have our backs every inch of the journey. I learned more than I can express.”

Before we move on from the Netherlands to our next stop in beautiful Fair Hill, Maryland, let’s take one last look at the Boekelo that was via another beautiful photo gallery by Sherry Stewart. We love this one especially, because from grooms and owners to supporters and friends, it really shows the sort of broader effort that goes into a successful team.

Go Team USA. Go Eventing!

[Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team Tests New Olympic Format at FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ The Netherlands]

 

2020 Kentucky Three-Day Event Tickets Go on Sale Today!

By on Oct 15, 2019 3:10 pm -

Oliver Townend and Cooley Master Class, winners of the 2019 Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Christmas seems to come a little bit earlier every year, amiright? I am talking, of course, about tickets to the 2020 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event (April 23-26, 2020) and Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix (April 25, after cross country), which officially go on sale today at 9 a.m. EST.

Ticket options include single-day, three-day (Fri-Sat-Sun) and four-day general admissions, as well as group sales, hospitality packages, cross country tailgating packages, and glamping. You can also go ahead and reserve your headsets as well as purchase programs and preferred parking. Fans will get the best seats at the best prices if they order early.

EN #ProTip: Be like Susan!

“Now is the time to make plans to be part of the country’s premier equestrian event,” said Mike Cooper, president of the board of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of both events. “Interest is sure to be at an all-time high in this Olympic year and I urge everyone to buy their tickets as soon as they go on sale!”

All grounds admission tickets include general parking and admission to the Kentucky Horse Park and International Trade Fair, but do not include access to the competition in the Rolex Stadium. Reserved grandstand seating is sold separately from grounds admission.

Sure, we still have a few months of pesky winter to suffer through, but in our hearts it’s already springtime in Kentucky and the birds are singing and the four-star horses are galloping past. For eventers who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, nine out of 10 doctors surveyed recommend purchasing Kentucky tickets in advance to hang on your fridge as a reminder that April is just around the corner.

Order your tickets today at www.KentuckyThreeDayEvent.com/tickets.

A First Glance at the Fair Hill International CCI4*-L Entry List

By on Oct 15, 2019 2:00 pm -

Jennie Brannigan, one of three repeat FHI winners in this year’s field, shown here with Cambalda at FHI 2014. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Happy Fair Hill week! Now in its 31st year, the 2019 Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International is again hosting the U.S. Equestrian CCI4*-L and CCI3*-L Fall Eventing Championships along with the USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships presented by Dubarry of Ireland. A world-class field of some 40-odd horse-rider combinations are entered in the CCI4*-L.

EN stats guru Maggie Deatrick will be along after the first horse inspection with her “By the Numbers” breakdown and winner prediction, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, let’s sneak a peek!

REPEAT WINNERS

Phillip Dutton has topped the podium more times than any other rider in this year’s field — in fact, the only rider who has  won the event more times than him is five-time winner David O’Connor (1993, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002). Phillip has won the event four times: 2007 and 2004 with The Foreman, 2000 with Drizzle, and 1996 with Sky’s Prospect. This year he has entered two horses, Fernhill Singapore and Z. Four titles is impressive, but it’s been a while … can he pull another one out this year?

Four riders in history have won the event twice — Boyd Martin (2011 and 2009), Hannah Sue Burnett (2012 and 2010), Karen O’Connor (2003 and 1989), and Mark Weissbecker (1994 and 1998). Hannah Sue, who took the title in 2012 with Harbour Pilot and in 2010 with St. Barths, will be on the hunt for a hat trick this year with the inexperienced Lukeswell. Boyd was originally entered but withdrew his horses after breaking his pelvis at Plantation Field — take it easy and get well soon, Boyd!

We have one more former Fair Hill champion in this year’s field in Jennie Brannigan, who won in 2014 with Cambalda. She has entered Twilightslastgleam and will also compete FE Celestino and Joie de Vivre in the 5 Year-Old division and both Keepsake and Kismet in the 4 Year-Old division.

TEAM MEDALLISTS

In addition to past Fair Hill winners, the entry roster is a who’s-who of other Team USA veterans. Team stalwart Buck Davidson has a Fair Hill win in his DNA, so to speak. Bruce Davidson Sr. won Fair Hill in 1992 with Eagle Lion, but FHI is a title that has eluded his son thus far. He came close last year, finishing third with Archie Rocks; this year he has entered Erroll Gobey, Copper Beach, and Jak My Style in the CCI4*-L, as well as Cerafino D in the 5 Year-Old class.

Pan Am Games team gold medalists Lynn Symansky, who also won the individual silver, and Doug Payne, who finished just outside the individual medals in fourth place, are entered. Lynn, who has twice represented the U.S. at WEG, is taking aim at this year’s FHI with Under Suspection. Doug will have a busy week, competing Vandiver in the CCI4*-L, Cascor in the CCI3*-L, Camarillo in the 5 Year-Old Young Event Horse division, and three horses in the 4 year-old Young Event Horse division, including Quiberon, Red Right Return, and Hannah Moor.

Joining them are U.S. Olympic veterans Lauren Kieffer and Clark Montgomery, teammates at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Lauren, who is also a Pan Am Games team gold medalist, has entered D.A. Duras, while Clark will be riding Caribbean Soul. Other team riders include Will Coleman, a veteran of the 2012 London Olympics and 2018 WEG, who has entered Don Dante.

Two-time Olympic and four-time WEG veteran Jessica Phoenix of Canada two horses entered in the CCI4*-L: Bogue Sound and Watson GS. She also will be competing Humble GS in the CCI3-L*. Two-time Olympic Silver medalist and WEG medalist Clayton Fredericks of Australia will be competing FE Stormtrooper and FE Always In Time.

A WIDE-OPEN FIELD

Of course, the field is wide open and there are plenty of pairs to keep your eye on. Some pairs, like Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights who just won Plantation Field International CCI4*-S in September, are on a hot streak. There are Fair Hill veterans who are in the hunt for a personal best finish this year, and rookies with the potential to surprise and impress.

Who has the most shots per capita of winning this year? Beyond those already mentioned, Nilson Moreira da Silva and Allison Springer both have two horses entered apiece.

Historically speaking, west coast riders have done well for themselves when they come east for Fair Hill — quite the haul. Frankie Theriot-Stutes and Chatwin won in 2018, Tamie Smith and Mai Baum won in 2015, Amy Tryon and Coal Creek won in 2008, and Gina Miles and McKinlaigh won in 2006. This year’s west coast contingent is represented by Mallory Hogan with Clarissa Purisima, Lauren Billys with Castle Larchfield Purdy, and Liza Horan with Lafite.

“We are delighted to have so many top names in the sport returning to our world-class three-day event,” said Trish Gilbert, President of Fair Hill International. “With such a high-caliber list of entries, all of the divisions are guaranteed to be thrilling to say the least!”

Best of luck to all, Abby Powell will be bringing us all the latest all week, so keep it locked here!

#DuttaFHI: Website, Entries, Order of Draw, Schedule

 

Watch Military Boekelo Show Jumping Live

By on Oct 13, 2019 8:25 am -

Military Boekelo show jumping is well underway! Tune into the FEI live stream right here or on the FEI’s YouTube Channel.

See the show jumping order of go here — if it looks a bit wonky, it’s because individuals are jumping before teams. To recall, the event is running via Olympic format; at Tokyo, there’ll be a team jumping round and an individual one for those who qualify for it, which will be easier to follow. Best of luck to our U.S. team riders!

Military Boekelo: Website, Entries, Ride Times, Live Stream, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Friday Video from SmartPak: Rewatch Boekelo Dressage + XC Live Stream

By on Oct 11, 2019 4:17 pm -

That’s a wrap for two days of Boekelo dressage! Get caught up on what went down via Tilly’s dressage reports — click here for Thursday and here for Friday. FEI TV streamed all the dressage action live (see videos below); tomorrow’s FEI cross country live stream is by subscription only so you’ll need to cough up twenty bucks if you want to tune in to that. #Protip: We do live stream watch parties at our barn for the big events … if everyone chips in you can watch for less than the cost of a swanky cup of coffee. Alternately, you can tune into the RTV Oost Dutch live stream via the Boekelo website here (I’ve also embedded the video player below, and it should kick into action bright and early tomorrow morning).

Speaking of bright and early, the first horse leaves the box at 9.30 a.m. local time/8.30 a.m. BST/3.30 a.m. EST. The order-of-go is the same as for dressage, which means that all of the team combinations will run first, followed by the individuals. You can see the full list of starting times here – but if you’re tuning in to cheer on the U.S. team, who sit second after the first phase, here’s when to tune in (subject, of course, to holds and delays):

  • Jennie Brannigan and Stella Artois (=32nd): 10.18 a.m. local time/5.18 a.m. EST
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver (=40th): 11.06 a.m. local/6.06 a.m. EST
  • Tamie Smith and Mai Baum (8th): 11.54 a.m. local/6.54 a.m. EST
  • Matt Flynn and Wizzerd (=53rd): 13.42 p.m. local/8.42 a.m. EST

Get some good sleep tonight, Team USA!

THURSDAY

Dressage Day 1 | FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ 2019 | Boekelo (NED)

🐴 Welcome to another leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™! 📺 Enjoy Day 1 of Dressage 🔴LIVE from Boekelo 🇳🇱!

Posted by FEI Eventing on Thursday, October 10, 2019

Dressage Day 1 Part 2 | FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ 2019 | Boekelo (NED)

🐴🎩 Day 1 of Dressage continues 🔴LIVE from Boekelo 🇳🇱! Enjoy the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™!

Posted by FEI Eventing on Thursday, October 10, 2019

FRIDAY

Dressage Day 2 (1/2) | FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ 2019 | Boekelo (NED)

🐎🐎🐎 We’re back from with Day 2 of Dressage 🔴LIVE from the FEI EVenting Nations Cup™ in Boekelo (NED)!

Posted by FEI Eventing on Friday, October 11, 2019

Dressage Day 2 (2/2) | FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ 2019 | Boekelo (NED)

🐴🎩 Day 2 of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ continues with Part 2 of Dressage 🔴LIVE from Boekelo 🇳🇱!

Posted by FEI Eventing on Friday, October 11, 2019

SATURDAY

Military Boekelo: Website, Entries, Ride Times, Live Stream, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram