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Friday Video from SmartPak: If Horses Were People – Fly Season, Part 1

By on Aug 9, 2019 4:30 pm -

SmartPak’s “If Horses Were People” series is back and more painfully true-to-life — and hysterically funny — than ever. The latest edition imagines what it would be like if horses were people during fly season, with Sara and Sarah acting out all the summer dramz that are basically your life right now: ripped fly sheets, lost shoes, fly spray sagas … you’ve got to watch.

(Speaking of fly spray, SmartPak’s OutSmart® Fly Spray is THE BOMB. Not only is it free from nasty chemicals, it smells delightfully pepperminty and … drumroll … it really works! Go order yourself some right now; you can thank us later.)

Be sure to subscribe to SmartPak’s YouTube channel for all the latest videos. They put another one out earlier this week, “If Office Dogs Were People – Episode 1,” that is seriously funny, too.

Eight Yellow Cards, One Warning Issued to Eventers at Pan American Games

By on Aug 9, 2019 10:42 am -

Jose Enrique Mercado Suarez and Tehuacan (MEX). Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

The FEI issued eight yellow cards and one recorded warning to eventers during the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. No yellow cards were issued to riders from the USA, Brazil, Canada or Guatemala.

The following riders received yellow cards:

  • Luciano Claudio Brunello (ARG) and Maria Tereza — Dangerous riding / riding too fast
  • Rodrigo Martin Abella Lemme  (URU) and SVR Arbitro — Dangerous riding / series of dangerous jumps
  • Guillermo Garin Heyermann (CHI) and Bipolar — Dangerous riding / continuing after three refusals
  • Alva Pierola Hans Chener (PER) and Continera Z — Dangerous riding / continuing after three refusals
  • Cardenas Salazar Marcelino (PER) and Vento — Dangerous riding / series of dangerous jumps
  • Carlos Narvaez (ECU) and Que Loco — Dangerous riding / continuing after three refusals
  • Jose Enrique Mercado Suarez (MEX) and Tehuacan — Dangerous riding / endangering the public (jumped rope)
  • Carlos Villarroel (CHI) and Quilano — Abuse of horse / excessive use of whip

In addition, one rider received a recorded warning:

  • Juan Carlos Tafur Eisenmayer (COL) and Blue Moon — Dangerous riding / series of dangerous jumps

Of the yellow-carded riders, Luciano Claudio Brunello finished 16th, Marcelino Cardenas Salazar withdrew at the final horse inspection, and Jose Enrique Mercado Suarez finished 10th. The others were eliminated on cross country.

Of 42 starters, that’s about 21% of the field or one in every five riders. Six of the 10 nations fielding teams were affected. Significantly more yellow cards were issued at the Pan American Games than at any other FEI event in the past 12 months.

These troubling statistics seem symptomatic of a broader problem. We all appreciate that it’s so important to involve new flags in international eventing, but how can we do so in a safe and inclusive manner?

The FEI has issued 48 yellow cards and 35 recorded warnings thus far in 2019. The FEI’s list of yellow cards and sanctions is updated weekly during the eventing season and can be viewed on the FEI’s website.

US Equestrian Announces 2019 Eventing Training List Updates

By on Aug 8, 2019 4:54 pm -

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg weren’t on the original 2019 eventing training lists, but between winning the national five-star championship at Kentucky and double-gold at the Pan Am Games they got fast-tracked to Elite status. Looking forward to the next stop on their Tsetserleg World Domination Tour! Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

US Equestrian has just released updates to the 2019 eventing training lists, which are structured following the new U.S. Eventing Pathway Program. Spearheaded by U.S. Eventing Performance Director Erik Duvander, the program is designed to create a “culture of competitiveness” and provide a more clearly defined pathway for U.S. event riders.

The program restructured the training lists into Elite, Development Pre-Elite and Development Potential groups, and also includes the Emerging Athlete training lists. Click here to read more about the U.S. Eventing Pathway Program.

The 2019 lists have been updated from previous lists announced in December 2018.

Elite Training List: 

The Elite Program aims to support athlete and horse combinations demonstrating the ability to contribute to medal-winning potential at the World Championship level, measured against world-leading performances and looking to compete at the next Olympic or World Championship. The following combinations have been named to the Elite Training List:

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Z, Thomas Tierney, Simon Roosevelt, Suzanne Lacy, Caroline Moran, and Ann Jones’s 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding

Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Tsetserleg, Christine Turner’s 12-year-old Trakehner gelding

Development Pre-Elite Training List

The Development Pre-Elite Program aims to identify and support athlete and horse combinations that have the perceived potential to meet Elite status within the next two to four years, with the target of competing on a championship team in the next four to six years. The following combinations have been named to the Development Pre-Elite Training List:

Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (Ocala, Fla.) and Deniro Z, The Deniro Syndicate and Ocala Horse Properties’ 11-year-old KWPN gelding

Caroline Martin (Miami Beach, Fla.) and Islandwood Captain Jack, Caroline and Sherrie Martin’s 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Long Island T, Long Island T Syndicate’s 13-year-old Oldenburg/Thoroughbred gelding, as well as On Cue, Christine Turner’s 13-year-old English Sport Horse mare

Doug Payne (Aiken, S.C.) and Starr Witness, Doug Payne, Laurie McRee, and Catherine Winter’s 8-year-old KWPN mare, as well as Vandiver, Debi Crowley, Jessica Payne, and Doug Payne’s 15-year-old Trakehner gelding

Tamie Smith (Murrieta, Calif.) and Mai Baum, Alexandra Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn, and Eric Markell’s 13-year-old German Sport Horse gelding

Lynn Symansky (Middleburg, Va.) and Under Suspection, Mary Ann Ghadban’s 15-year-old Holsteiner mare, as well as RF Cool Play, The Donner Syndicate LLC’s 11-year-old German Sport Horse gelding

Frankie Thieriot Stutes (Occidental, Calif.) and Chatwin, The Chatwin Group’s 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding

Development Potential Training List

The Development Potential Program aims to focus athletes on education aimed at equipping them with the necessary tools and skills to have the perceived talent to reach Elite status in the next four to eight years, with the goal of Pre-Elite targets by the age of 30. The following athletes have been named to the Developing Potential Training List:

Maya Black (Clinton, Wash.)

Jenny Caras (Cartersville, Ga.)

Katherine Coleman (New Orleans, La.)

Hallie Coon (Ocala, Fla.)

Sydney Elliott (Bossier City, La.)

Matthew Flynn (Reddick, Fla.)

Ariel Grald (Vass, N.C.)

Allie Knowles (Lexington, Ky.)

Alex O’Neal (Reddick, Fla.)

U.S. Equestrian announced the 2019 Emerging Athlete Eventing 18 and Eventing 25 Program participants in December 2018.

[US Equestrian Announces Updates to Training Lists for U.S. Eventing Pathway Program]

 

Hartpury 2019 Kicks Off With Burghley Young Event Horse Qualifiers

By on Aug 8, 2019 3:30 pm -

Caroline Powell and Legally Grey. Photo courtesy of Hartpury Horse Trials.

The eventing superstars of tomorrow were the opening act for the 2019 NAF Five Star International Hartpury Horse Trials, taking place Aug. 7-11 in Gloucestershire, Great Britain. The Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Qualifier 4- and 5-year-old classes took place Wednesday, with Caroline Powell and Rodney Powell taking top honors in each class respectively.

Many of us associate Caroline with her great grey partner and fan favorite Lenamore, with whom she won Burghley in 2010. For the 4-year-old qualifier she brought forth a new prospect in Legally Grey, also grey but with silver dapples revealing of his youth. The gelding, who is by the Thoroughbred stallion Munther, scored consistently across the three sections to win on a total score of 80. Her nearest rival was Caroline Harris with W Be Individual, who finished on a total score of 76.

Rodney and Wanham Freebie, winners of the 5-year-old qualifier. Photo courtesy of Hartpury Horse Trials.

In the 5-year-old qualifier, Rodney and Wanham Freebie finished in top spot with a score of 88. Wanham Freebie is by Ramiro B, sire of top event horses including Ballynoe Castle RM, a Team USA veteran who was 3rd at Kentucky in 2014; Cooley Master Class, who won Kentucky in 2018 in his four-star debut; and Cooley SRS, who finished 2nd at Badminton in 2018 in his four-star debut. Ramiro B passed away in 2018 but his legacy continues with a number of exciting young horses such as this, and Wanham Freebie’s connections have high hopes for the bay gelding’s future.

British-based U.S. eventer Tina Coudray and Cabaret finished in second on a score of 81. Tiana had two other horses in the 5-year-old class, Jomink PFB and Enha Louvo, who finished 7th, and another horse in the 4-year-old class, B.B Geneveive.

“We always enjoy seeing so many talented young horses at our Burghley Young Event Horse qualifiers,” said Philip Cheetham, Hartpury’s Equine Director. “We wish all those horse and rider combinations who qualified today the very best of luck at Burghley in the autumn.”

Photo courtesy of Hartpury Horse Trials.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, the first horse inspection took place for the NAF Five Star Mpower CCI2*-L and NAF Five Star Superflex CCI3*-L. Two horses were spun at the first horse inspection, one from the 2* competition and one from the 3* competition. Dressage got underway in both long-format competitions on Thursday alongside the NAF Five Star Magic CCI4*-S.

Tilly Berendt will be sharing dispatches from the event throughout the week, so do check back!

Go Eventing.

NAF Five Star International Hartpury Horse Trials: Website, Schedule, CCI4*-S Start Times, Live Scores

#ThrowbackThursday: Ride Around Burghley With Joseph Murphy (or Ride WITH Him at Windurra!)

By on Aug 8, 2019 9:00 am -

We’re just one month out from the 2019 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, entries have posted, and we’re already chomping at the bit — especially since an 11-rider-strong North American contingent is taking aim at this year’s event.

What is it like to ride around the biggest cross country course in the world? Thanks to this helmet cam from top Irish eventer Joseph Murphy, we can get a bird’s eye view of Capt. Mark Phillips’s monster track from 2018.

Sportsfield Othello, an 18-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Ricardo Z X Moy View Lady, by Ring of Forde) owned by Alison Schmutz, Andrew Tinkler and Jill Andrews, jumped clear cross country with 10.8 time penalties to finish in 22nd place  — a fantastic performance for this stalwart campaigner in his 11th CCI4*.

Joseph Murphy and Cesar V in the Aachen CCIO4*-S in July 2019, where they finished 15th. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Want to learn to ride cross country like Joseph? He is coming to the States to teach a clinic on August 27-29 at Boyd Martin’s top facility Windurra USA in Cochranville, Pennsylvania. Joseph is an extremely effective teacher who specializes in building confidence in both horses and riders, making this clinic a great tune-up for the AECs or prep for area championships, three-days and end-of-the-year goals.

In a recent interview with EN, Joseph explained, “I love traveling throughout Ireland and America to train riders. My clinics have become very popular, and I like to go the extra mile by keeping in touch with those I help. Following rider progress, spending time watching their videos and offering additional feedback is all part of the service. This is something I intend to expand and do more of, all over the world.”

Lisa Hickey thanking Irish Olympic eventer Joseph Murphy after riding in his Ocala clinic at Horsepower Equestrian. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Horses and riders of all experience levels are welcome. Lessons are small group sessions and approximately 80 minutes long. Riders can choose to ride for one day ($150), two days ($280), or all three days ($400) — a $60 per-horse, per-day facility fee will also be collected. Private lessons with Joseph are also available as are group show jumping sessions. Please email [email protected] to reserve your spot (late fees have been waived), and she can help you find stabling if you’re coming in from out of town as well. Register online at EventClinics.com here. Learn more about Joseph at his website here.

Go Eventing.

Nupafeed Weekend Winners: Millbrook, Cobblestone Farms, River Glen, Catalpa Corner, Olney Farm

By on Aug 5, 2019 6:00 pm -

Kirsten Raab and Gypson Hills won their division of Beginner Novice Rider at Cobblestone Farms H.T. this weekend. Photo courtesy of Kirsten Raab.

What a weekend for USA eventing! Our international representation was, shall we say, golden, but there was plenty of glory to be had on the domestic front as well.

An extra congrats to our lowest scoring finishers in the country this week: Jamie Allison and Jedi, who won their division of Open Novice at Cobblestone Farms H.T. on a score of 18.8.

And now, your weekend winners!

Millbrook H.T. [Results] [EN’s Coverage]
Advanced: Will Faudree & PFun (29.1)
Open Intermediate-A: Holly Payne Caravella & CharmKing (30.9)
Open Intermediate-B: Holly Jacks-Smither & Candy King (31.6)
Junior Young Riders Open Preliminary: Jackie LeMastus & Lup The Loop (26.9)
Open Preliminary-A: Buck Davidson Jr. & Cooley Candyman (31.9)
Open Preliminary-B: Will Coleman & Chin Tonic HS (22.7)
Preliminary Rider: Isabelle Bosley & Night Quality (34.6)
Junior Training: Cassie Sanger & Born Ready (26.8)
Open Training-A: Lucia Strini & Donna Del Lago (29.4)
Open Training-B: Sandra Holden & Cano Cristales (22.3)
Training Rider-A: Emilie Winandy & Kildare’s MHS Tampa (33.4)
Training Rider-B: Kelly Waters & Family Man (24.8)
Junior Novice-A: Cadence Clucas & On Tenterhooks (24.3)
Junior Novice-B: Olivia Dutton & Iniesta (27.5)
Novice Rider-A: Andrea Brainard & Watson’s Beijing (31.9)
Novice Rider-B: Meghan McDonough & Domingo en Fuego (31.2)
Open Novice-A: Richard Caldwell & Izzy Leo (23.1)
Open Novice-B: Ariel Grald & Diara (30.0)
Beginner Novice Rider-A: Alana Mahoney & Someday My Prince Will Come (26.3)
Beginner Novice Rider-B: Victoria Baugh & Curioso (23.0)

Cobblestone Farms H.T. [Results]
Preliminary Open: Jordan Riske & Roxy (29.1)
Preliminary Rider: Kiersten Miller & Mama Mia (28.4)
Training Open: Waylon Roberts & G2B Ballygriffin By Chance (31.1)
Training Rider 1: Hannah Boyd & Billy McClusky (31.3)
Training Rider 2: Jocelyn Howland & Niner’s Blaze (30.2)
Novice Open 1: Jamie Allison & Jedi (18.8)
Novice Open 2: Kate Sand & SE Top Shelf (28.8)
Novice Rider 1: Madeline Bletzacker & Landtino S (29.8)
Novice Rider 2: Emma Feil & Stormy Clover (22.6)
Beginner Novice Open: Alexa Ehlers & Come And Get It (26.8)
Beginner Novice Rider 1: Julie Gilbert & Canadian Exchange (22.8)
Beginner Novice Rider 2: Susan Prorak & Bizzy Signal (36.5)
Beginner Novice Rider 3: Kirsten Raab & Gypson Hills (24.8)
Starter 1: Dianna Grayson & A Work of Art (33.1)
Starter 2: Vanessa Miller & Obvious Diamond Article (34.3)

River Glen Summer H.T. [Results]
Open Intermediate: Daniela Moguel & Cecelia (38.0)
Intermediate/Preliminary: Erin Pullen & Foreign Affair (36.9)
Open Preliminary: Sara Beth Anton & Je Suis Bernard (35.5)
Preliminary/Training: Jamie Mcallister & Army Ranger (29.1)
Open Training: Heidi Crowell & Dark Star (27.6)
Training Rider: Alayna Backel & Phantom Of The Oscar (29.5)
Novice Rider – Jr: Bridget OGrady & Vendi (32.5)
Novice Rider – Sr: Megan Harris & Tbs Declan Pondi (30.0)
Open Novice: Laura Del Ponte & Noble Knight (25.5)
Beginner Novice Rider – Jr: Sally Smedley & Golden Ticket CR (22.8)
Beginner Novice Rider – Sr: Sheri Birmingham & Sterling’s Bailero (25.6)
Open Beginner Novice: Erika Adams & Townsend (31.2)
Starter Test Jr: Lilian Roberts & Go Right Guppie (36.5)
Starter Test Sr: Julia Butler & Matt’s Ghost (25.8)

Catalpa Corner Charity H.T. [Results]
Open Preliminary: Meaghan Marinovich Burdick & Ferris Bueller (31.9)
Preliminary Rider: Madeline Batchelor & Stormn Blitz KD (34.4)
Junior Training: Lily Callahan & Royal Crest’s Granite Permission (33.0)
Training Horse: Janet Rettenmaier & Singing Low (31.3)
Training Rider: Brittney Posey & Wild Duke (32.3)
Junior Novice Rider: Kaylianna McMorris & Clifton Peekachu (26.7)
Novice Horse: Jenna Sack & Fernhill Imperial Flight (30.4)
Open Novice: Kristen Rozycki & Vandalia (26.7)
Senior Novice Rider: Anne Branscum & My Secretary (31.9)
Young Novice Rider: Abigail Goldberg & Monte (32.9)
Beginner Novice Horse: Penney Wetherbee & Regalo Oro (34.9)
Beginner Novice Rider-A: Cathrine Wunderlich & Concatulations (26.0)
Beginner Novice Rider-B: Sabrina Yashinsky & Jazillion (33.8)
Beginner Novice Rider Junior: Gavin Nielsen & Garden Valley Gold (28.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Anna Banks & Primrose BMD (25.8)
Open Starter: Stephanie Caston & Notorious B.I.G. (30.3)
Starter Rider: Evelyn Mae S Greimann & Fun Size NFS (43.0)

Olney Farm H.T. [Results]
Open Training: Nikki Scherrer & Bold Tiger (32.1)
Open Training/ Novice: Gabrielle Davis & Sorry Not Sorry (39.6)
Novice Junior Young Rider: Patti Stempien & Hold That Halo (35.5)
Open Novice-A: Courtney Cooper & Excel Star Time to Shine (31.9)
Open Novice-B: Susie Beale & B.E.Kilgoric Felix (32.1)
Beginner Novice Junior Young Rider: Victoria Picha & For Pete’s Sake (29.7)
Open Beginner Novice: Kathleen Bertuna & Excel Star Harry (27.2)
Open Modified: Joa Sigsbee & K-Cosimo SE (44.3)

Congrats to all. Go Eventing!

Catch Up on All of EN’s Pan American Games Coverage

By on Aug 5, 2019 12:00 pm -

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg (USA). Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

If you’re just tuning in to see what happened with the Pan Am Games, we’ve got you. Here’s a roundup of all EN’s coverage of the action in Lima, Peru.

Thursday, Aug. 1

MUST READ: Let the Hunt for Shiny Objects Begin! U.S. & Canada All Clear at Pan Am Games First Horse Inspection

Your Ultimate Guide to Eventing at the 2019 Pan American Games

Welcome to the Sandbox: Scenes from Pan Am Games Arena Familiarization

Pan Am Jog Day Social Media Roundup

Thursday Video from Ecovet: Pan Am Table Talk with Team USA

Local Sites & Colorful Delights: Pan American Games Cross Country Course Preview

Friday, Aug. 2

MUST READ: U.S. Tops Pan Am Team Standings, Tamie Smith Out Front After Dressage

Pan Am Dressage Live Updates: Team USA, Tamie Smith on Top After First Phase

Pan Am Dressage Social Media Roundup: Dancing Queens

Photo Gallery: Fancy Prancing in Peru

Saturday, Aug. 3

MUST READ: U.S. Team, Boyd Martin Looking Golden After Pan Ams Cross Country

Team USA Talks Game Plan for Pan Ams Cross Country

Pan American Games Cross Country Live Updates: USA & Boyd Martin Lead

Photo Gallery: Pan American Insanity in the Middle

Pan Am Cross Country Social Media Roundup: How’s Your Stress Level?

Sunday, Aug. 4

MUST READ: USA Earns Team Gold, Boyd Martin Wins Individual Gold at Pan American Games

Four Held, One Spun in Pan Am Final Horse Inspection

Pan American Games Show Jumping Live Updates: USA Earns Ticket to Tokyo

Photo Gallery: Mission Accomplished!

Pan Am Show Jumping Social Media Roundup: From Lima to Tokyo

All That Glitters IS Gold: Team USA Reflects on Pan Am Games

Go Eventing.

Pan American Games: Website, Entries, Technical Manual, Individual Results, Team Results, Ultimate Guide, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Shannon, Shelby & Abby’s Monday News & Notes from Fleeceworks

By on Aug 5, 2019 1:01 am -

I’m not sure what voodoo photog magic this is — did Shannon plant a fish-eye remote inside a jump cup? — but we love it. Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg (USA). Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Back in the day, EN used to dedicate the titles of News & Notes posts to folks who deserved some recognition. At some point we phased that out, but I’m bringing the tradition back for one day and one day only.

There are three individuals in particular whom I want to loudly thank for their service to the sport today: Shannon Brinkman, Shelby Allen and Abby Powell.

When we found out EN wouldn’t be able to transfer Pan Am Games press credentials from Jenni to another writer, I panicked. How could EN deliver the coverage that our readers have come to expect with no boots on the ground in Lima or even a live stream? Not to mention simultaneously also give Millbrook, a major event on the USEA calendar, the attention it deserves?

I called upon the EN #dreamteam for help, and they delivered.

Shelby, fresh off her great coverage of The Event at Rebecca Farm, cobbled together a cohesive Pan Am narrative from a combination of whatever limited information she could gather from the website plus social media posts and scattered fragments of intel.

Shannon, the goddess herself, dispatched gorgeous, compelling photos throughout the week that brought the Pan Ams to life for those of us following from afar.

Abby took time off her day job to cover Millbrook, and despite lack of wifi and the event being her horse show coverage debut, turned in expertly written daily reports. At last check-in on Sunday evening, she was camped out at a Starbucks finishing her final report with a four-hour drive home still ahead of her.

Shout-out also to Maggie Deatrick and Tilly Berendt, who stayed plugged in throughout the weekend helping us puzzle together what was happening in Peru. And a thank-you also to our readers, who tuned in and kept us motivated with their words of appreciation and support.

Go #dreamteam. Go Team USA. Go Eventing.

National Holiday: National Underwear Day

International Weekend Results: 

Pan American Games: Individual Results, Team Results, EN’s Coverage

U.S. Weekend Action:

Millbrook H.T. [Results] [EN’s Coverage]

Cobblestone Farms H.T. [Results]

River Glen Summer H.T. [Results]

Catalpa Corner Charity H.T. [Results]

Olney Farm H.T. [Results]

News & Notes:

Catch up on Pan Ams coverage from our friends. [USEA] [USA Eventing] [FEI] [The Chronicle of the Horse]

Tsetserleg (Windfall X Thabana, by Buddenbrock) is a Trakehner and proud. The American Trakehner Association is doing a giveaway for a Tsetserleg hat on their Instagram that ends at midnight. [ATA Instagram]

Burghley entries are final! We’re counting 10 Americans plus one (basically American) Aussie:

  • Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot
  • Will Coleman and Tight Lines
  • Buck Davidson and Jak My Style
  • Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan
  • Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus
  • Chris Talley and Unmarked Bills
  • Woodge Fulton and Captain Jack
  • Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby
  • Doug Payne and Vandiver
  • Dom Schramm and Bolytair B
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z

[Burghley entry list]

Ariel is hitting up Millstreet in Ireland as well, as are Caroline Martin with Islandwood Captain Jack and Will Faudree with Pfun. [Millstreet provisional entries]

Apparently Mark Todd’s horse’s bridle fell off after his dressage test at Camphire International Horse Trials last weekend. He was just walking out of the ring and off it fell. Man, this guy and his tack malfunctions. Legend. There’s an amazing photo, please go check this out right now. [Who needs a bridle? Legend Mark Todd survived tack malfunction at his final event]

Jonelle Price and Classic Moet came out on top at the Magic Millions British Open Championship CCI4*-S at Gatcombe Park yesterday. This 2018 Badminton winning pair has had a quiet year but are entered at Burghley. [Top mare takes British open championship: ‘Gatcombe is her cup of tea’]

Featured video: Elisa Wallace posted this helmet cam video from River Glen H.T. I love that she steered Crafty Charger, a 15.3-hand 2013 OTTB gelding owned by Donna Biggs, through the barn. There used to be a Prelim table in there, and I was always sure that I was going to bonk my head on the roof jumping it.

Your Ultimate Guide to Eventing at the 2019 Pan American Games

By on Aug 3, 2019 9:00 am -

And we’re off to Lima, Peru, where 2019 Pan American Games eventing is taking place Aug. 1-4 at Equestrian Club Militar La Molina. Here’s your complete guide to the week ahead.

Pan American Games: Website, Entries, Technical Manual, Individual Live Scores, Team Live Scores, Ultimate Guide, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

The competition: The Pan Ams will run at the CCI3*-L level (formerly CCI2* under the old FEI star system). The dressage test is the 2015 FEI 3* Test B. Teams will be made up of four horses and riders with a drop score.

What’s at stake: All countries from FEI Olympic Group D (North America) and E (Central and South America) will be vying for Tokyo qualification at the Pan Ams, which will award Olympic qualification to the top two teams in Lima. No countries from Groups D and E qualified at the 2018 WEG Tryon, so every country that fields a team for Lima will be battling it out for Tokyo qualification.

The teams: Ten nations are fielding teams — Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and the United States. Ecuador and Honduras are sending individuals only. There are a total of 42 definite entries. Substitutions may be made up until two hours before the start of dressage.

The officials: The ground jury is led by Jane Hamlin (USA) with Jo Young (CAN) and Delano Bastos de Miranda (BRA). The foreign TD is Ataide Pereira (BRA). The chief steward is Eileen Pritchard Bryan (USA). Juan Carlos Nunez (URU) heads the appeals committee. The cross country course designer is Jose Ortelli (ARG) with Pierre Michelet (FRA) as adviser. The show jumping course designer is Guilherme Jorge (BRA).

The schedule (in Central Time):

Thursday, Aug. 1
9 a.m.: First horse inspection

Friday, Aug. 2
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Dressage

Saturday, Aug. 3
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Cross country

Sunday, Aug. 4
8 a.m.: Second horse inspection
10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Show jumping
2:30 p.m.: Awards ceremony

Order of Go: The starting order of Nations is as follows: Peru, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, USA, Uruguay, Ecuador, Argentina, Honduras, Colombia, Chile, Guatemala.

The final show jumping phase will begin at 10:30 a.m. central/11:30 a.m. eastern. Click here for the order of go.

How to follow: Unfortunately there is no live stream for the eventing competition. Live updates will be available via US Equestrian on Twitter (@USequestrian) and the USA Eventing Facebook page for all phases of eventing. Also check out the U.S. Eventing Instagram story (@useventing), USEA Facebook page and Twitter for updates.

You can download the Equipe app for live scoring or visit the website here.

And, of course, be sure to keep it locked on Eventing Nation for all the Pan Am coverage you need, all in one place!

EN’s pre-coverage: 

Erik Duvander Addresses Team Preparations and Goals for Pan American Games
U.S. Pan American Games Team
Mai Baum to Replace Fleeceworks Royal as Tamie Smith’s Pan American Games Partner
Canadian Pan American Games Team
Mexican Pan American Games Team
Brazil Pan American Games Team
Path to Peru: What You Need to Know About U.S. Team Selection for the Pan Ams
Inside Team USA’s Final Pan Am Games Preparations at Stable View
Pan Am Social Media Roundup: Livin’ It Up in Lima

EN’s coverage: 

Thursday, Aug. 1
Let the Hunt for Shiny Objects Begin! U.S. & Canada All Clear at Pan Am Games First Horse Inspection
Thursday Video from Ecovet: Pan Am Table Talk with Team USA
Local Sites & Colorful Delights: Pan American Games Cross Country Course Preview
Pan Am Jog Day Social Media Roundup

Friday, Aug. 2
Welcome to the Sandbox: Scenes from Pan Am Games Arena Familiarization
Pan Am Dressage Live Updates: Team USA, Tamie Smith on Top After First Phase
Pan Am Dressage Social Media Roundup: Dancing Queens
U.S. Tops Pan Am Team Standings, Tamie Smith Out Front After Dressage
Photo Gallery: Fancy Prancing in Peru

Saturday, Aug. 3
Team USA Talks Game Plan for Pan Ams Cross Country
Pan American Games Cross Country Live Updates: USA & Boyd Martin Lead
U.S. Team, Boyd Martin Looking Golden After Pan Ams Cross Country
Photo Gallery: Pan American Insanity in the Middle
Pan Am Cross Country Social Media Roundup: How’s Your Stress Level?

Sunday, Aug. 4
Four Held, One Spun in Pan Am Final Horse Inspection

Go Eventing.

Pan Am Dressage Live Updates: Team USA, Tamie Smith on Top After First Phase

By on Aug 2, 2019 11:51 am -

Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Eventing dressage is underway at the 2019 Pan American Games! Forty-two riders from 12 nations will be trotting up the centerline today beginning at 10 a.m. EST. The dressage test is the 2015 FEI 3* Test B, and our judges are Jane Hamlin (USA) at C, Jo Young (CAN) at M, and Delano Bastos de Miranda (BRA) at E.

U.S. ride times are as follows (in ET):

9:30 a.m. – Liz Halliday-Sharp (Test Ride)
10:32 a.m. – Lynn Symansky and RF Cool Play
12:30 p.m. – Tamie Smith and Mai Baum
2:55 p.m. – Doug Payne and Starr Witness
4:53 p.m. – Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg

Pan American Games: Website, Entries, Technical Manual, Dressage Individual Live Scores, Dressage Team Live Scores, Ultimate Guide, EN’s Coverage

10 a.m.: And our first rider is in the ring. Coming in hot is Team Peru’s Juan Jose Francia and Alpacino Z, who score a 43.3 to kick off the day. Ah, why are they live streaming handball and not THIS???

10:08 a.m.: Next up we’ve got Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes, slapping down a 27.7 for Team Canada. Boom.

Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

10:16 a.m.: Team Mexico’s Jose Alan Triana Martinez and Violento score a 38.8, followed by our favorite super nice Brazilian Ruy Fonseca and Ballypatrick Srs who score a 31.8. #FlashbackFriday to the 2015 Pan Ams in Toronto, where Ruy Fonseca led the dressage with his great globetrotting partner Tom Bombadill Too.

10:32 a.m.: Team USA trailblazer in the ring! Lynn Symansky and RF Cool Play post a 29.2. Bit of a spread in scores here — Jane gives them a 74.09; Delano isn’t as into it and gives them a 67.73. That puts them in early second behind Karl. Watch her post-ride interview with US Equestrian here.

Lynn Symansky and RF Cool Play. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Lynn Symansky and RF Cool Play. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Btw, our friends at Athletux are doing some super-fun Pan Ams Instagram storytelling — go check it out.

10:40 a.m.: Now we’re back to my own personal dressage score stomping ground, the 40s. Team Equador’s Luis Eduardo Aranco and Svr Gruñon score a 41.3; Argentina’s Marcelo Javier Rawson and Felicitas Almendro score a 43.5.

11:11 a.m.: We’re back after a 15 minute break with Mauricio Bermudez and Fernhill Nightshift, who post a 41.6 for Colombia. Chile’s Carlos Villarroel and Quilano score a 39.2, followed by Guatemala’s Wylder Francisco Rodriguez Silva and Escapito-S who score a 40.6. Honduras’ Pedro Jose Espinosa and Hipolita score a 33.0 to slide into 4th behind Ruy. Circling back now to Team Peru, whose Hans Chener Alva Pierola and Conterina Z post a 45.2.

11:51 a.m.: Dana Cooke and the distinctive grey mare FE Mississippi up next for Team Canada. They post a 32.7, good enough to slot them into 4th place for now.

Dana Cooke and FE Mississippi. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Dana Cooke and FE Mississippi. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

11:59 a.m.: Team Mexico’s Pedro Gutierrez and California Mail post a score of 46.5. We’ll be back with more after a 15-minute break! Enough time to hit up the drink stand for a Pisco Sour, Peru’s national drink, a cocktail of pisco liquor + lime juice + syrup + bitters + egg white.

12:22 p.m.: I was on board until the egg white. Break’s over! Team Brazil is back in the ring with Rafael Mamprin Losano and Fuiloda G, who score a 33.1. They’ve now got two riders in the top six. Brazil is in the hunt for hardware, y’all.

12:30 p.m.: Now in the ring, Team USA’s Tamie Smith and Mai Baum, looking SAVAGE. Hold onto your butts — you know this pair is about to bring itttt.

12:40 p.m.: 22.7!!!!!! YAS QUEEN.

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Check out their scoresheet — I’m counting four 9s in there, including two on the final halt. That’s called dropping the mic.

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

The face of a horse who knows he could be a champion event horse OR a professional horse calendar model.

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Watch her post-ride interview with US Equestrian here.

12:46 p.m.: Uruguay’s Rodrigo Martin Abella Lemme and Svr Arbitro have the misfortune of following up their act and score a 44.3. Argentina’s Juan Benitez Gallardo and J B G Espuelas Atila score a 40.2, followed by Colombia’s Juan Carlos Tafur Eisenmayer and Blue Moon, who score a 44.0. Phew, it’s good to be back in the 40s … that 22.7 gave me sweaty pits and made me feel all twitchy, like I was at an event in Europe or something.

1:08 p.m.: Now in the ring we’ve got EN fan favorite Guillermo Garin Heyermann of Team Chile and the delightfully named chestnut stallion Bipolar. You guys will remember this horse from yesterday’s jog report. They score a 45.4.

Guillermo Garín Heyermann (not pictured, for obvious reasons) and Bipolar. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

1:10 p.m.: Sarka Kolackova De Mendez and Carneval 32 of Guatemala post a 35.8. We’re 21 rides down, with 21 still to go, and that brings us to the lunch break. Team standings are Team USA (52.0) out front, followed by Canada (60.5) and Brazil (64.8). Tamie Smith (USA) and Mai Baum lead the individual standings on their super score of 22.7, with Karl Slezak (CAN) and Fernhill Wishes in 2nd on 27.7 and Lynn Symansky with RF Cool Play in 3rd on 29.2.

Race you to fence #17! Back at 2:15.

Mmmm … good thing we packed ranch dressing. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

2:15 p.m.: And we’re back! Ecuador’s Nicolas Wettstein and Onzieme Framoni are first out of the gate and they score a 35.1, followed by Peru’s Marcelino Cardenas Salazar and Vento, who score a 45.2.

2:31 p.m.: Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye are next up for Team Canada! A big score of 26.2 will move them into second place ahead of teammate Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes.

Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

2:39 p.m.: Mexico’s Jose Enrique Mercado Suarez and Tehuacan score a 35.8.

2:47 p.m.: Brazil, bringing the heat! Colleen won’t be in 2nd place for long, as Marcelo Tosi and Starbucks have wedged their way in between her and Tamie on a score of 26.0.

Marcelo Tosi and Starbucks. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Marcelo Tosi and Starbucks. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

2:55 p.m.: Our next U.S. rider out is Doug Payne with Starr Witness AKA The #Ginga. A horse with its own hashtag is not to be trifled with, is what I always say. A score of 28.0 puts them in the top five, just behind Karl and ahead of Lynn.

Doug Payne and Starr Witness. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Doug Payne and Starr Witness. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Quick compilation of #starrwitness’ test earlier today to sit on a 28 in the #PanAmGames for #teamUSA #eventing USA Eventing

Posted by DPEquestrian LLC on Friday, August 2, 2019

Watch his post-ride interview with US Equestrian here.

3:22 p.m.: Short break and we’re back with Uraguay’s Lucia Chieza and Svr Energico, who score a 43.2. Colombia’s Jhonatan Fabian Rodriguez Rodriguez and Caipirina follow with a score 41.5.

3:43 p.m.: And now for the horse we’ve all been waiting for, our favorite Chilean conscientious objector, Puerto Octay! Mad respect to his rider, Luis Alfonso Larrondo Muñoz, for keeping this horse mostly attached to planet earth at the jog yesterday. Today, we’re expecting big things. Gotta be some Lippizaner in that pedigree somewhere, amiright?  You’ve got this, Puerto Octay! I’ve got like 20 bucks on you in the EN office betting pool, don’t let me down!

The capriole, sadly not included in modern dressage tests. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Also could’ve crushed the levade. I give it a 10. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

3:56 p.m.: 40.9 … robbed! Puerto Octay, you beautiful beautiful horse-kite, assuming you don’t blow away when your poor groom takes you out for a graze this evening we’ll look forward to cheering you on tomorrow.

4:03 p.m.: Guatemala’s Stefanie Brand Leu and Ginfer Palo Blanco earn a 41.4. I think I missed Colombia’s Jhonatan Fabian Rodriguez Rodriguez and Caipirina (a South American cocktail which, unlike the Pisco Sour, I CAN wholeheartedly get behind) — sorry about that, they scored a 41.4.

4:08 p.m.: Next up we’ve got Equador’s Carlos Narvaez and Que Loco, which Google translates to “That’s Crazy.” They score a 39.0. Next, the home team marches out Diego Farje Carpio and Qouter, who score a 43.4.

4:29 p.m.: After the break, we’ll see our last batch of team anchors incoming. No eventer has sported more maple leaf theme outfits than Jessica Phoenix, who brings forth her experienced partner Pavarotti. They pull off a 27.4, good for 4th place. Look how happy Jess is!

Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

4:44 p.m.: Only six rides left until we can all stop frantically refreshing the scores page. Mexico’s Guillermo German de Campo M. and Quelite are next in the ring and score a 31.2 — that will get him into the top 10. Mexico currently sitting 4th in the team standings.

4:50 p.m.: Carlos Parro and Quaikin Qurious are bringing it home for Brazil. They score a 28.3 which will put them in 7th.

4:57 p.m.: Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg are now in the ring! Which beautiful black stallion gelding that gallops through all our dreams is going to win the dressage today?

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

5 p.m.: Looks like Tamie’s gonna take it; Boyd and “Thomas” will settle for second today on a 25.8. Watch his post-ride interview with US Equestrian here.

5:20 p.m.: Homestretch now. Uruguay’s Edison Alejandro Quintana Valerio and Svr Fraile Del Santa Lucia score a 41.0; Chile’s Carlos Lobos Muñoz and Ranco break into the top 10 with a 31.0; Argentina’s Luciano Claudio Brunello and Maria Teresa score a 39.8. Our final rider, Guatemala’s Carlos Sueiras and Valentina RN, score a 43.3.

Top 10 individual after dressage:

Team standings after dressage:
1. USA (76.4)
2. Canada (81.3)
3. Brazil (85.9)
4. Mexico (105.8)
5. Chile (111.1)
6. Argentina (117.1)
7. Guatemala (117.7)
8. Uruguay (125.5)
9. Colombia (127.2)
10. Peru (131.9)

We’ll be along with a full report after the press conference. Thanks for joining us today, EN. It’s been real. Go Eventing!

Welcome to the Sandbox: Scenes from Pan Am Games Arena Familiarization

By on Aug 2, 2019 9:30 am -

Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

The Pan American Games dressage arena looks like an eyeful: lots of bright colors and plush foliage to take in. Teams were allotted blocks of time yesterday for arena familiarization, and Team USA happily took advantage of the opportunity to show their horses around.

This face! Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Dressage begins at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. U.S. ride times are as follows:

9:30 a.m. – Liz Halliday-Sharp (Test Ride)
10:32 a.m. – Lynn Symansky and RF Cool Play
12:30 p.m. – Tamie Smith and Mai Baum
2:55 p.m. – Doug Payne and Starr Witness
4:53 p.m. – Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg

As we count down until the first horse canters up the centerline, enjoy these fun images from photog extraordinaire Shannon Brinkman!

Pan American Games: Website, Entries, Technical Manual, Dressage Individual Live Scores, Dressage Team Live Scores, Ultimate Guide, EN’s Coverage

 

Let the Hunt for Shiny Objects Begin! U.S. & Canada All Clear at Pan Am Games First Horse Inspection

By on Aug 1, 2019 3:34 pm -

    This Chilean horse is all of us on the eve of the 2019 Pan American Games. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Did you know that humans are the only animals who have an obsession with shiny objects? There’s a popular misconception that magpies do as well, but science says that’s garbage, and barracuda are only attracted to sparkly things because they mistake them for delicious fish dinner. Humans, on the other hand, are drawn to all that glitters — from disco balls to diamond rings — like moths to a flame (to reference a bit of nature mythology that IS legit, as you know if you’ve ever seen those suicidal ding-dongs nosedive straight into a campfire.)

This week, no one is feeling the magnetic pull toward shiny objects stronger than the 10 eventing teams contesting the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. A gold or silver medal means 2020 Tokyo Olympic qualification, and since no countries from FEI Olympic Group D (North America) and E (Central and South America) qualified at the 2018 WEG Tryon, those medals are going to be a at a premium in Peru.

Who’ll be setting off the Lima airport metal detectors with their new gold jewelry come next Monday? We’ll find out soon enough, as eventing is officially underway.

I’m rooting for this one, honestly. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Forty-six horses, including five U.S. and four Canadian combinations, presented at the first horse inspection this morning at Equestrian Club Militar La Molina. Three horses were sent to the holding box: Jhonatan Fabian Rodriguez’s Caipirina from Colombia, Carlos Villarroel’s Quilano from Chile and Ricardo Jequier’s Barbecho from Chile. Caipirina and Quilano passed upon re-inspection and Barbecho was withdrawn; however, Chile presented five horses in total so will still have four horses competing. Mexican reserve rider Fernando Parroquin Delfin did not present Romana. All other horses passed.

Same team, different grey horse losing its damn mind. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Team USA jogged fifth of the 12 nations participating in the competition, with traveling reserves Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver leading off followed by Tamie Smith and Mai Baum, Lynn Symansky and RF Cool Play, Doug Payne and Starr Witness, and Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg.

Team USA:

“He’s just feeling the same as he does at home, which is pretty cool. He’s definitely been enjoying himself and feeling quite sassy. He had a jump today and felt brilliant.” — Liz Halliday-Sharp with Cooley Quicksilver. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

“When we arrived here and it’s winter, they’ve all been pretty fresh, and he’s extra very high-headed and feeling really great. But he’s really taking in all the sights and loving that they’ve thrown quite the party for him.” — Tamie Smith with Mai Baum. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

“He’s a very brave cross-country horse. He’s a huge galloper, which I think sometimes is hard on a track like this because you’re turning so much.” — Lynn Symansky with RF Cool Play. Shoulda brought Donner, Lynn! He’d fit right in at this jog. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

“I think she’s in a great place to put in a very competitive performance. The first minute or so cross-country she’s going to have an eyeful, but I think she’s absolutely confident.” — Doug Payne with Starr Witness. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

“He has a German pedigree but an American spirit.” — Boyd Martin with Tsetserleg. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Canada and Brazil already had their Rio Olympic qualifications in hand ahead of the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, but not so this go-round. They’ll be battling it for a slice of sparkle pie as well, and both are represented by strong squads.

Team Canada:

Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Dana Cook and Mississippi. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

What a unique coat! Dana Cook and Mississippi. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Forty-two horses will compete on dressage day tomorrow, which begins at 10 a.m. We’ll be along later today with a cross country course preview so do check back. Until then, Go Eventing!

A few more photos from the indomitable Shannon Brinkman for you to Peru-se (har har — you miss Jenni already, don’t you):

If you have a thing for horses AND men in uniform, the Pan Am Games is the event for you. Team Mexico’s M. Guillermo De Camp and Quelite. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

“Can you not just act normal for one moment?” Team Chile’s Ricardo Aliro Jequier Durán and Barbecho. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

But the Best Dressed Award goes to … Equador individual competitor Carlos Alfred Narvaez and Que Loco. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

South American sweater game strong. Team Guatemala’s Stefanie Brand Leu and Ginifer Palo Blanco. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

By my count, every horse on Team Chile had a complete come-apart at some point during the jog. Team Chile’s Guillermo Garín Heyermann and Bipolar. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Smooch! These equine athletes with their part-time modeling careers owe it all to their hardworking grooms. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

These braids. Team Guatemala’s Carlos Gonzolo Sueiras Lemus and Valentina RN. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

One more, just for kicks! Team Argentina’s Ignacio Jose Zone and Remonta San Jorge. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Pan American Games: Website, Entries, Technical Manual, Dressage Individual Live Scores, Dressage Team Live Scores, Ultimate Guide, EN’s Coverage

 

Richard Jeffery to Conduct Free Show Jumping Clinics at 2019 AEC

By on Jul 31, 2019 1:00 pm -

Richard Jeffery’s show jumping course set and ready for action at Burghley 2017. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Heading to the 2019 American Eventing Championships? Show jumping course designer Richard Jeffery will be conducting two free show jumping clinics at this year’s AEC, to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

While the clinic serves as a training program for course designers, it’s also open to auditors and a great opportunity to learn from one of the top minds in our sport — no one has more show jumping design experience than Jeffery, whose resume includes the past 21 years of Kentucky Three-Day Events and myriad championships.

The first clinic will run Tuesday, Aug. 27 and Wednesday, Aug. 28 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. The second clinic will run on Friday, Aug. 30 and Saturday, Aug. 31 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. The first day of both clinics will be spent in the classroom and the second day will include practical application in the arena.

This seminar serves as a training program for current USEF officials who meet the eligibility requirements and wish to obtain their USEF “R” Eventing Jumping Course Designer (EVJCD) license. The seminar will also fulfill the continuing education clinic (CEC) requirements for current “R” EVJCD license holders.

In order to be eligible for a USEF “R” EVJCD license, applicants must have “designed the jumping course at a minimum of two Preliminary level or higher horse trials at two separate Federation licensed/endorsed competitions within the current or previous two years. These courses must be submitted with the application.”

The fee for current USEF officials and current “R” EVJCD license holders is $50. Auditing is free. The clinics are presented by the USEA and the Roger Haller Education Fund.

Click here to register. Pre-registration is preferred but not required.

Questions about the clinics should be directed to Nancy Knight at [email protected] or (703) 669-9997.

[Free Richard Jeffery Show Jumping Clinics to be Hosted at the 2019 USEA AEC]

Fab Freebie uvex Contest: Vote for the Baddest Equestrian Tan Line of Them All

By on Jul 30, 2019 12:00 pm -

Up for grabs: a pair of uvex sportstyle 802 small vario sunglasses in black and uvex ceravent gloves. Images courtesy of uvex.

For last Tuesday’s “Fab Freebie” we asked readers to show us their bad equestrian tan lines, and holy sunburn Batman, did you guys deliver! Best (worst?) comment from a significant other: “I’d tell my former wife, naked she looked like Neapolitan ice cream. Some vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate.” — Matthew Kiener

Emphasis on FORMER wife there, Matthew!

Here are our top 10 contest finalists photos — vote for your favorite in the poll below. Voting is open for seven days. We’ll announce the winner in News & Notes next Tuesday, Aug. 6! Many thanks to uvex equestrian for sponsoring this fun photo challenge.

Kailey DeMeyer: “This was a struggle to get rid of this tan line for my wedding.”

Rachel McIntosh: “The new flesh colored apple watch, coming soon.”

Nicole Fuentes: “This was me a few years back at Rebecca Farm … not sure what’s worse: the shorts tan, the shoe tan, or the dirt in the middle LOL.”

Cobie Sheehan: “Heading to the post-XC riders’ party after a week of grooming at Adelaide 3DE.”

Laura DeAngelo

Tory Powell: “After Pony club camp!”

Shelby Etheridge

Emily Carter: “This photo evidence might be from 2016, but I consistently get this exact racerback tank tan from riding. Every. Single. Year.”

Rachel Haslett

Lucca Stubington: “When an event rider gets injured…this is my post surgery/bandage tan! My silver lining after injuring my ankle (needing just over 2 months away from any form of riding) was that I could work on my leg tan … I fell asleep in the sun and this happened.”

A few more honorable mentions:

Nupafeed Weekend Winners: Rebecca Farm, Horse Park of New Jersey II, Hunt Club Farms

By on Jul 30, 2019 8:00 am -

Is winning everything, though? Heck no. Not in the slightest! A pink (or red/yellow/white/green/purple/brown/silver …) ribbon, or even no ribbon at all, can carry just as much value. The reward is in the journey, and the horses who carry us on so many levels, and the people who are beside us along the way.

Having said that, of course, a big shiny blue ribbon can be a nice payoff sometimes. An extra special congrats to those who finished on the lowest penalty scores in the country this weekend, both of whom won divisions of Sr. Open Novice at The Event at Rebecca Farm on a score of 21.9: Anne Johnson and Grandios Sky, and Samantha Scott and Bellatrix L’Strange.

Without further ado, your weekend winners!

The Event at Rebecca Farm CCI, 3DE, & H.T. [Rebecca Farm Final Scores][NAYC Final Scores]
CCIJ2*-L: Charlotte Babbitt & 2 A.M. (24.0)
CCIY3*-S: William Kidwell & Tremolo (28.0)
CCI4*-Long: Jennie Brannigan & Stella Artois (32.9)
CCI3*-Long: Kalli Core & Cooley Master Courage (30.7)
CCI2*-Long: Rebecca Braitling & Penhill Celtic (28.4)
CCI4*-Short: Sabrina Glaser & Rembrandt (43.9)
Open Intermediate: Helen Bouscaren & Ebay (30.8)
Jr. Open Preliminary: Bruce Hill & Bossinova (30.0)
Open Preliminary A: Melissa Thorson & Fun and Games (34.1)
Open Preliminary B: Marc Grandia & Sunsprite’s Watusi (33.8)
Jr. Open Training A: Olivia Remcho & Handsome Jack (35.1)
Jr. Open Training B: Maddie Smith & Elfenwind (28.2)
Sr. Open Training A: Amber Levine & I’M Jaguar (29.6)
Sr. Open Training B: Michelle Capparelli & You Don’t Know Jack (29.3)
Sr. Open Training C: Eva Jacroux & Rubel (27.4)
Sr. Open Training D: Ashley Karns & The Rock (24.3)
Training Three-Day A: Pip Hayes & Peridot (29.6)
Training Three-Day B: Jackson Dillard & Layla Q (25.8)
Jr. Open Novice A: Dane Padgett & Cafe Noir (26.7)
Jr. Open Novice B: Connor Black & Jewel (23.3)
Sr. Open Novice A: Madeline Backus & Lady of the Lake (33.1)
Sr. Open Novice B: Sara Kelson & Rhonaldo (24.8)
Sr. Open Novice C: Lindsay Wagner & Jenson (28.6)
Sr. Open Novice D: Anne Johnson & Grandios Sky (21.9)
Sr. Open Novice E: Tracy Stein & Apollo (26.2)
Sr. Open Novice F: Samantha Scott & Bellatrix L’Strange (21.9)
Novice Three-Day: Olivia Doman & The Pied Piper (28.2)\

Horse Park of New Jersey II CCI & H.T. [Final Scores]
CCI Three Star: Hannah Sue Burnett & Capitol HIM (35.3)
CCI Two Star: Lauren Chumley & Atlanta B (32.5)
Open Intermediate-A: Hannah Sue Burnett & Harbour Pilot (27.5)
Open Intermediate-B: Anna Loschiavo & Spartacus Q (30.9)
Open Preliminary-A: Daniel Clasing & Luska Candy Clover (32.2)
Open Preliminary-B: Lisa Marie Fergusson & Epic Moment (30.8)
Open Training-A: Caroline Martin & Redfield Bajall (22.1)
Open Training-B: Hillary Moses & Save Magic (27.7)
Open Training-C: Susie Beale & B E Never Say Never (25.2)
Training Rider-A: Michelle Bull & Eloise (34.6)
Training Rider-B: Christian Vasconez Egred & CID Donnie D (35.4)
Novice Rider-A: Kaylyn Cunningham & Ollivander (26.9)
Novice Rider-B: Leighanne Sadley & Licorice (29.1)
Open Novice: Holly Payne Caravella & Coquina (26.2)
Beginner Novice Rider-A: Jennifer Garutti & Labras Leannon (25.8)
Beginner Novice Rider-B: Madeline Cracknell & Commanding Curve (34.9)
Open Beginner Novice: Holly Payne Caravella & Dito 16 (25.5)

Hunt Club Farms H.T. [Final Scores]
Open Training-A: Lauren Kieffer & I’ll Have Another (28.9)
Open Training-B: Brittany Kuntz & Heat Inndex (32.1)
Preliminary/Training: Arden Wildasin & Dusky Shadow (32.1)
Training Rider: Karissa Oliver & FDF Recherche (34.7)
Novice Rider-A: Liz Schroeder & Ventry (32.6)
Novice Rider-B: Denise Connelly & Cat In The Hat (34.1)
Open Novice: Woods Baughman & Lord Calegra (28.3)
Beginner Novice Rider-A: Grace Mykityshyn & Boogaloo (28.5)
Beginner Novice Rider-B: Caroline Kilday & Coincidentally (30.3)
Intro-A: Diane McCool & Bluegrass Fox Trot (27.5)
Intro-B: Jillian Rife & Raya Del Sol (22.3)
Open Beginner Novice-A: Edward Ewbank & Alluring Punch (30.0)
Open Beginner Novice-B: Stephen Fulton & Broken Diplomacy (29.3)

Congrats to all. Go Eventing!

U.S. Burghley Contingent Up to Nine [Update: 10!] Ahead of Aug. 2 Closing Date

By on Jul 29, 2019 9:30 am -

Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby at Burghley 2018. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Last week we snuck a peak at early entries for the 2019 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and squealed a little upon seeing that six U.S. combinations had already entered ahead of the Aug. 2 closing date:

  • Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot
  • Will Coleman and Tight Lines
  • Buck Davidson and Jak My Style
  • Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan
  • Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus
  • Chris Talley and Unmarked Bills

But wait, there’s more! The entry list has since been updated to include another four Americans:

    • Woodge Fulton is entered with Captain Jack, a 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Numerous x Lady Malone) owned by the Full Moon Farm syndicate. Woodge and Captain have been racking up mileage abroad since early February, training with Dirk Schrade in Germany and tackling Europe’s toughest tracks. They turned in a gutsy clear-with-time cross country round at Badminton and will be looking to tick another five-star box at Burghley.
    • Lillian Heard is entered with LCC Barnaby, her own 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Guy Cavalier x Lady Tanjour, by Rafael). Burghley 2019 will mark this pair’s fifth five-star start and their third-time’s-a-charm crack at Burghley — the pair last picked up an unlucky 20 here last year.
    • Doug Payne is entered with Vandiver, a 15-year-old Trakehner gelding (Windfall 2 x Visions of Grandeur, by Mystic Replica XX) owned by Debi Crowley and Doug and Jessica Payne. This pair finished 22nd at Kentucky in 2016 and made their British eventing debut in 2017, finishing 14th at Blenheim. They broke into the top five at Kentucky this spring and are very capable of a competitive result.
    • Liz Halliday-Sharp is entered with Deniro Z, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Zapatero VDL x Zonne-Trend, by French Buffet xx) owned by the Deniro Syndicate and Ocala Horse Properties. This pair was 8th in the horse’s five-star debut at Luhmühlen last year and they too are capable of hanging right up there with the best. [UPDATED 7/30]

That’s a proper U.S. contingent! Thirty-eight total entries have been received for the CCI5* ahead of the Friday Aug. 2 closing date, and we expect entries to continue rolling in this week. You can count on the EN crew (I’m looking at you, Maggie and Abby) to obsessively refresh the entry list page and keep us posted on new developments. Last year 98 combinations were entered at the closing date, and entries were capped at 85 pairs.

Here are the entries as of July 29. Exciting to see that the Prices plan to roll up to Burghley with their entire stable, and we’ve got some Chris Burton and Gemma Tattersall in the mix, too:

Burghley 2019 takes place Sept. 5-8 in Stamford, England. Go Eventing.

Burghley Links: Website, Entries, Timetable, Tickets

 

 

Watch the Event at Rebecca Farm/NAYC Live Stream

By on Jul 27, 2019 9:00 am -

In an ideal world we’d all be in Kalispell, Montana this week, watching eventers do their thing beneath bright blue skies that seem to go on forever. A warm breeze fluttering our hair, lavender-hued mountains towering in the distance, a little double-rainbow action isn’t off the table ….

You guys, this is an actual real photo from The Event at Rebecca Farm 2016. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Sadly, Montana is, like, REALLY far away for most of us. Thankfully — bless you, Ride On Video! — we’ve got plenty of live stream angles to keep us up to speed. Here are ride times — add +2 hours to convert Mountain Time to Eastern Standard Time:

Enjoy!

Rebecca Farm Live Stream (Main Feed)

Rebecca Farm Live Stream (Secondary Feed)

The NAYC live stream is also available through US Equestrian here (we may be gaming the system by embedding it above, oops). The proper way to watch: Log in if you are already a Fan or Active member; if you’re not a member, sign up for your FREE Fan Membership to watch using Promo Code nayceventing19. Video of previous segments — the Wednesday horse inspection, for instance — can be re-watched at the site.

The NAYC broadcast schedule:

Thursday, July 25
8:30 a.m. MDT – CCIY3*-S Dressage

Friday, July 26
8 a.m. MDT – CCIJ2*-L Dressage

Saturday, July 27
9 a.m. MDT – CCIY3*-S Cross Country
1:20 p.m. MDT – CCIJ2*-L Cross Country

Sunday, July 28
9:30 a.m. MDT – CCIJ2*-L Show Jumping
12:15 p.m. MDT – CCIY3*-S Show Jumping

Keep it here for all the latest from beautiful Rebecca Farm. Go Eventing!

The Event at Rebecca Farm: Website, Schedule, The Event at Rebecca Farm Ride Times & Live Scores, NAYC Ride Times & Live Scores, The Event at Rebecca Farm Live Stream, NAYC Live Stream, EN’s Coverage

Erik Duvander Addresses Team Preparations and Goals for Pan American Games

By on Jul 26, 2019 2:10 pm -

Lynn Symansky and Donner enter the U.S. Trust Arena for the show jumping round with Kendyl Tracy and Erik Duvander at the 2018 Tryon WEG. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Turning our heads from Kalispell, Montana, to Lima, Peru, is enough to solicit a case of whiplash, but we’ve all been down enough drop jumps to handle it, right? As soon as the competition wraps at The Event at Rebecca Farm, we’ll be turning our attention to the Pan American Games, where Team USA will be looking to retain gold on Aug. 1-4.

There will be more than glory at stake next week: All countries from FEI Olympic Group D (North America) and E (Central and South America) will be vying for Tokyo qualification at the Pan Ams, which will award Olympic qualification to the top two teams in Lima. No countries from Groups D and E qualified at the 2018 WEG Tryon, so every country that fields a team for Lima will be battling it out for Tokyo qualification.

When you consider that Canada and Brazil will also be seeking Olympic qualification at the Pan Ams, the stage is set for a nail-biting competition in Peru. The Pan Ams will once again run at the CCI3*-L level (formerly CCI2* under the old FEI star system). Teams will be made up of four horses and riders with a drop score.

Image via US Equestrian.

It sounds like preparations have gone well for the team and they’ve got their eye on the prize. USEF Performance Director Erik Duvander generously took the time to share a team update this week:

“Dear Members of the Eventing Community,

“It has been a busy month for the U.S. Eventing Team as we have been in the final stages of preparing for the Pan American Games, which take place Aug. 1-4 in Lima, Peru. The U.S. team consists of Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg, Tamie Smith and Mai Baum, Doug Payne and Starr Witness, and Lynn Symansky and RF Cool Play, with Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver as the traveling reserve. I believe the U.S. team is set up well for the Pan American Games, in large part because our country is very fortunate to have such wonderful donors, owners, and supporters in the sport of eventing. The quality of horses and riders at the top of the sport gives the U.S. an advantage at a championship like the Pan American Games, as there is a broad pool of horse and rider combinations capable of producing competitive results.

“Our main goal at the Pan American Games is to win a gold or silver medal in the team competition, which will secure qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In order to achieve this goal, decisions must be consistently made with the team first in mind. I feel extremely confident in the character of the riders representing the U.S. in Lima. The goal of the High Performance program is to create not only incredible athletes, but also leaders. Boyd Martin and Lynn Symansky have represented the U.S. on teams before, and Tamie Smith and Doug Payne are getting their first opportunity to ride on a championship team. The combination of these four riders creates a very strong team.

“The final preparation competition for the Pan American Games team took place at the Maryland Horse Trials in Adamstown, Maryland, on July 5-7. All of the horses and riders had a strong final run and looked in top form. Our final training camp took place this week on July 24-26 at Stable View Farm in Aiken, South Carolina. The horses will ship out to Lima from Miami, so Aiken served as an ideal geographical location for the team’s final training camp. The main purpose of a training camp is to get the team together, let the horses and riders settle in, and put the finishing touches on their work to give them the best possible chance for peak performance. Dressage coach James Burtwell taught a day of dressage lessons, and the riders also had access to Stable View’s show jumping arenas and cross country course.

“One of the most important parts of coaching is learning the horses’ and riders’ personalities, and a training camp is an ideal time to delve further into the personalities on a team. Just as human athletes have their strengths and weaknesses, equine athletes do as well. Truly understanding a horse’s personality can be the difference between having a very good horse and a champion that will win medals. The personality within a horse is what gives him the chance to be consistently brilliant.

“There is a difference between a horse’s traits and a horse’s personality, and I like to look closely at the personality. For example, some horses have very outward personalities, which makes them alert and expressive. This can be both a blessing and a curse in dressage. The expressiveness gives them an edge that might catch the judge’s eye, but the alertness could result in more distraction than a horse who is naturally more inward and quiet. There are strengths and weaknesses of all types of personalities, and it takes special attention to detail to notice a horse’s personality and to be able to use it as an advantage in a competition setting.

“Similarly, some athletes are extraverted and occasionally have to be reminded to focus, whereas other athletes are introverted and occasionally have to be reminded to lighten up and enjoy the moment.

“When people ask me what I do, I feel so lucky to say that I spend all day working in the sport that I love. Since starting in this role, I have watched the riders grow in their understanding of how to be successful as a team. We also have access to quality trainers who are imperative to the team’s success. While we did not have the result we wanted at last year’s FEI World Equestrian Games, I firmly believe change is coming.

“Sincerely,
Erik Duvander”

[USEF: Letter from Erik Duvander]

Visit the Pan Am Games website here. Go Team USA. Go Eventing.

Piggy v. Oliver v. Izzy: British Eventing’s Top Three to Contest Burgham International

By on Jul 26, 2019 7:00 am -

Photo by Rupert Gibson Photography, courtesy of Burgham Horse Trials.

The hot ticket on the British eventing calendar this week is Burgham International Horse Trials, taking place July 26-28 in Northumberland, and this year’s competition looks to be smoking. The top three riders in Britain so far in 2019 – Piggy French, Oliver Townend and Izzy Taylor – are all coming north for a crack at the win.

Last year at Burgham, Piggy French produced the best finishing score at a British international event since 2015 when winning the CCI2*-S on Emerald Jonny, according to Equiratings. Since then, she has won a team gold medal at the World Equestrian Games and a wowed us with her brilliant victory at Badminton Horse Trials. She returns to Burgham this week with a five horses to compete in Burgham’s three international classes – what records can the popular Northamptonshire rider break this time?

Oliver Townend brings forth both of his very top horses to Burgham: Cooley Master Class, winner of the CCI5* event at Kentucky for the second successive year this April, and Ballaghmor Class. The latter, winner of the CCI4*-S class at Burgham last year, is the most successful CCI5* horse currently competing, having won Burghley in 2017 and finished second at both Badminton and Burghley in the past 12 months. Between them, Piggy and Oliver won all three of Burgham’s international classes in 2018; can they do so again? Britain’s current #3 Izzy Taylor, on the other hand, will be looking for her first Burgham win.

Other British stars on show at Burgham include Harry Meade, Izzy Taylor, local hero Ben Hobday and Olympian Kitty King, who is riding her recent Bramham CCI4*-L winner and British team hope Vendredi Biats. In all 10 nations will be represented – Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Finland, The Netherlands, Hong Kong and Japan.

Burgham’s cross country courses, designed by former World and Olympic champion Blyth Tait and David Evans, who is responsible for building the cross-country courses for both the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2019 European Championships, are bound to provide thrilling action for spectators.

Burgham Director Martyn Johnson says, “Our entries are better than ever this year, which is great testament to the team for putting on an event which has very quickly become known as one of the best in the UK, providing great ground conditions and courses in a very friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Burgham gives eventing fans an incredible opportunity to see the heroes of the sport at close quarters, away from the pressures of, say, Badminton or Burghley. We have some of the most famous horses in the world coming to Burgham – come and see them and enjoy a really good day out.”

Burgham 2019 begins with the dressage phase of the international classes on Friday, July 26. On Saturday the national competitors will take their turn, with classes ranging from BE90 to Open Intermediate. The jumping phases of the three international classes (the Newton Hall CCI4*-S, the Howard Russell Construction CCI3*-S and the Metnor Group CCI2*-S) take place on Sunday, July 26.

Burgham also hosts Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse classes on Friday, July 26 and British Riding Clubs area showjumping qualifiers on Sunday, July 28.

Tickets for Burgham International Horse Trials may be booked online at www.burghaminternationalhorsetrials.co.uk or bought at the gate.

This report is edited from a press release. 

[BRITAIN’S TOP THREE RIDERS TO COMPETE AT BURGHAM]

 

A Very DIY NAYC: Meet the Self-Made Area VII Young Rider Team

By on Jul 25, 2019 11:30 am -

Schoolmasters are wonderful, but there’s no education like the experience of producing your own event horse. By that measure, the Area VII team contesting the 2019 North American Youth Championships (NAYC) at The Event at Rebecca Farm all deserve a degree in self-made event horse development.

Among the six horse/rider combinations, there are few fancy pedigrees — three out of the six are off-track Thoroughbreds, and another has nary an ounce of Thoroughbred or warmblood in him. They all came to their riders green and inexperienced, and in some cases the riders were advised to sell their mounts because they were “too much horse” or would be limited in their ability to progress up the levels. But the riders persisted, and this week we wish them luck as they tackle this week’s Championships.

NAYC 2019 is underway, with a total of 48 CCIJ2*-L and 13 CCIY3*-S competitors from the U.S. and Canada representing their respective regions. On Wednesday, teams and their supporters enjoyed an opening ceremony in the morning to kick things off, followed by the first horse inspection, with all horses presented moving forward to the competition. Watch the NAYC live stream here. Scroll down for a link to ride times, scores and EN’s coverage.

Best of luck to all! Let’s meet the Area VII riders and their mounts:

Callia Englund and Xyder. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Callia Englund – 17 – Enumclaw, WA

Callia is riding Xyder, a 9-year-old Cheval Canadien gelding (DDD-Cromwell Prince 2 x Cosyland Star Kandi, by Rainville Wilfred Star). This is their second NAYC start; in 2018 they finished 15th in the CCIJ1*.

“Xyder and I have been together for five years now. I got him when he was 4 and I was 12, and together we learned the ropes of eventing. We did both of our first events at Beginner Novice in May of 2015 and have been moving up together ever since. It definitely has been a challenge when we were both green but now it has created a very strong partnership. We both trust each other immensely and that is what makes us successful at the higher levels.

“It’s also been challenging because he is not your typical event horse. He is small with short legs and a stocky body. Because of that we had many people tell us he could not go any higher no matter what level we were at at the time. He is a pure bred Cheval Canadien, with no Thoroughbred or warmblood lineage. They are not known for jumping by any means, and they used to be war horses and are now currently endangered.

“Last year when we completed NAYC it was a dream come true of the thousands of hours we spent together making this partnership successful. I’m so happy to represent Area VII again with my other teammates who also have amazing partnerships with their horses.”

Kayla Dumler and Faramir. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Kayla Dumler – 16 – Enumclaw, WA

Kayla is riding Faramir, a 9-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Capital Improvement x Princess Malaga, by Zuppado’s Prince). This is their NAYC debut. 

“Faramir (‘Ferris’) came in to my life in April 2017, just before my 14th birthday. He had just turned seven years old. Ferris is an OTTB that was purchased in 2015 by our family friend, Alyssa Jordan. Almost immediately after purchasing him, sadly, Alyssa was diagnosed with stage four liver and colon cancer. After the diagnosis, her ability to work with him became limited as she began the fight of her life. Alyssa lost her battle in April 2017. Before she passed she had made arrangements for Ferris to come to us.

“Since he had not been ridden much in the last year we decided it would be best to let a trainer work with him to get him started up again and make sure that he was safe for me to ride. After 60 days with a cowboy I got on him and immediately fell in love with him. In the fall of 2017 we competed in one Novice and one Training event. In the spring of 2018 we moved up Prelim and completed our first CCI2*~S in March of this year. Our greatest accomplishment thus far came in June of this year when we won the CCI2*~S at Aspen.

“It is such a great feeling riding him because I know where every aid is, because I put it there. It’s almost like having a custom horse. We have such a great connection and trust with each other and that is the foundation to any partnership.”

Ashley Widmer and What Are The Odds. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Ashley Widmer – 17 – Moses Lake, WA

Ashley is riding What Are the Odds, a 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Cash Dash x Amanda Quick, by Hansel). This is their NAYC debut.

“Our journey began when we met for the first time during the summer of 2016. We had seen him once before and joked about him being my next horse. I knew he was the one. We brought him home and started working with him. Living in a small town meant not being able to be in a consistent lesson program. So we did a lot of traveling, studying of videos, and working student positions.

“Oddie went to his first recognized event later that fall at Beginner Novice. We could barely stay on 20-meter circles and had a ridiculous phobia of water. After a winter of schooling, we started in the spring of 2017 at Novice. Later that season we did our first Training together. Another winter went by with a lot of homework. Starting 2018 at Training, we worked our way to our first Prelim at Rebecca Farm. We continued to work through the season, aiming for the CCI* at Galway last fall. There we got qualified for NAYC.

“This spring, we had the opportunity to work with Terri Rocovich in preparation for this season. She helped us immensely. Anni Grandia, Deborah Rosen, Lindsay Uyesugi, Charlotte Roseburg, and our team coach John Camlin have all been an instrumental part of our development. I’m very excited to represent Area VII with the horse of my dreams, and a team that has worked just as hard to get here.”

Olivia Miller and Fritz Patrick for Area VII. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Olivia Miller – 18 – Lake Tapps, WA

Olivia is riding Fritz Patrick, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Regazzoni x Pandora, by Parabol). This is their first NAYC.

“Fritz and I became partners at the very end of 2014. The very first year I owned him, he then proved to be much more horse than I had the experience to handle. The first couple trainers I took him to kept telling me that I should sell him because he was not a ‘kid’s’ horse, and after I heard that over and over I started to believe them. After almost every ride I would hop off of him and hand him to my mom because it was just so irritating that I wasn’t making any progress with him. We tried just about every supplement and training tool in the book to try to make some headway but nothing really seemed to do the trick.

“It wasn’t until the latter half of the year that things started to align and make a little more sense. He became a little more rideable and I could start to take him places without it being quite an ordeal. I took him down to California during the spring of 2016 and we ran our very first Beginner Novice at Twin Riders. We then came back up to Washington to win our very first show in Area VII at Beginner Novice, being the only pair in our division to go double-clear on cross country. We then moved up to Novice shortly after that and finished the season at Novice.

“Fritz and I then made our international debut at the 2* level at the end of 2018 at Galway Downs. We put in a top 10 finish at Aspen Farms this last spring. So from Beginner Novice through the 2* level, Fritz has really proven himself to be quite the eventer.”

Lilly Linder and Tucker Too. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Lilly Linder – 17 – Carnation, WA

Lilly is riding Tucker Too, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding. This is their first NAYC.

“It’s crazy how fast a partnership can grow over such a short period of time. Tucker was a lesson horse that was used in Anni Grandia’s program. I was given the chance to ride Tucker because the horse I had been riding was rehabbing from a fractured patella. I ended up entering him in the Young Rider Benefit Horse Trials not even a week later. We had successful rides that weekend and we clicked almost immediately.

“Tucker had never really had his own person and to watch the bond grow between us has been so exciting. He has always been an athletic and hardworking horse but over the months that I have been leasing him, his personality and work ethic has improved greatly and the overall transformation has really impressed and inspired a lot of people in the evening comity and at our barn. I’ve never ridden a horse like him before and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Sophie Click and Fernhill Rising at Fair Hill (sorry we didn’t get a Rebecca jog photo of you, Sophie!). Photo by Shelby Allen.

Sophie Click – 20 – Carnation, WA

Sophie is riding Quidproquo, an 8-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Quidado x Waleila, by Limbus). This is Sophie’s fourth NAYC.

“I started riding Rocky last spring. My previous horse Hot Wheels was injured so I took the ride on Rocky. At the time, Rocky was very green and had gone Preliminary a bit with a different professional. My family was advised to sell him, but Rocky and I quickly formed a strong relationship and since then, he has been such a hard working and impressive horse.

“We did Preliminary and 1* (now 2*) all of 2018, and recently moved up to Intermediate and 3* this spring. With the help of professionals, Stuart Black and James Alliston, Rocky has shown so much improvement and proved to be a top quality horse. He reminds me very much of Hot Wheels and is therefore very special to me. Although he has been tricky to train, he is very intelligent and learns quickly if you are patient with him!”

The Event at Rebecca Farm: Website, Schedule, The Event at Rebecca Farm Ride Times & Live Scores, NAYC Ride Times & Live Scores, The Event at Rebecca Farm Live Stream, NAYC Live Stream, EN’s Coverage

Six Americans Listed Among Early Burghley Entries

By on Jul 24, 2019 2:00 pm -

Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan at the 2019 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

While entries don’t close until Aug. 2, the U.S. contingent has wasted no time in entering the 2019 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials taking place Sept. 5-8 in Stamford, England. We got a sneak preview of early entries received and were excited to see that no fewer than six Americans intend to take aim at Britain’s biggest, baddest event.

Sixteen entries have been posted thus far and we expect several dozen more before closing date. Last year 98 combinations were entered at the closing date, and entries were capped at 85 pairs.

Among the early entries:

Hannah Sue Burnett is entered with Harbour Pilot, a 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Ms. Jacqueline Mars. This experienced five-star partnership, who have twice finished in the top 15 at Kentucky and cracked the top 10 at Luhmühlen, last tackled Burghley in 2014. They were 7th after cross country but sadly withdrew before the final phase.

Will Coleman is entered with his 2018 WEG mount Tight Lines, a 12-year-old French bred gelding owned by the Conair Syndicate. This pair has thrice completed Kentucky, finishing 12th and 13th the past two years.

Buck Davidson is entered with Jak My Style, a 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Robert and Kathleen Cuca. This horse made his five-star debut at Kentucky this year but was withdrawn before cross country.

Ariel Grald is entered with Leamore Master Plan, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Anne Eldridge. They finished 12th in their five-star debut at Kentucky this year. They are entered in the CCI4*-S at Ireland’s Millstreet International (Aug. 21-25), which also has a few preliminary entries posted — Will Faudree with Pfun and Caroline Martin with Islandwood Captain Jack are entered in the CCI4*-L.

Lauren Kieffer is entered with her 2018 WEG mount Vermiculus, a 12-year-old Anglo-Arabian gelding owned by Ms. Jacqueline Mars. This pair has completed Kentucky the past two years, finishing 5th and 9th respectively.

Chris Talley is entered with Unmarked Bills, a 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by the Unmarked Bills Syndicate. They finished 27th in their five-star debut at Kentucky this year.

With the FEI Eventing European Championships taking place the week before, Aug. 28-Sept. 1, in Luhmühlen, we’ll be looking forward to an exciting couple weeks of eventing. We’ll continue to keep an eye on entries between now and the closing date.

Entries as of July 24:

Who will you be cheering for at Burghley this year, EN? Let us know in the comments below. Go Eventing.

Burghley Links: Website, Entries, Timetable, Tickets

17 Nations to Contest FEI Eventing European Championships

By on Jul 24, 2019 12:00 pm -

Photo by Thomas Ix, courtesy of Luhmühlen.

Yesterday 17 national federations declared their entries for the Longines FEI Eventing European Championships, to be held Aug. 28-Sept. 1 in Luhmühlen. They are as follows:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Great Britain
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Italy
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

The national federations have already named riders and horses but were able to name twice or even three times as many starters as will actually be able to compete at Luhmühlen. The federations will send the definite entries, with finalized horse-rider combinations, on Monday, August 12.

As the host nation Germany will be able to nominate 12 riders; all other federations will nominate six.

In its 60 years of hosting three-day events, Luhmühlen has hosted five European Championships (1975, 1979, 1987, 1999 and 2011), as well as World Equestrian Games in 1982.

The officials have been selected for the Championships. The judges will be Martin Plewa (president), Anne-Mette Binder (DEN) und Peter Shaw (AUS), and the FEI Technical Delegate will be Gert Naber (NED). The cross country course designer is Mike Etherington-Smith (GBR), and the show jumping course designer is Marco Behrens (GER).

A total of 100,000 Euro will be awarded, with 70,000 to the individual winner and 30,000 to the first through third placed teams.

Only 35 days now, actually!

Visit the Luhmühlen website here. Go Eventing.

World-Class Entry List Announced for Ready Steady Tokyo Olympic Test Event

By on Jul 24, 2019 9:30 am -

Reigning Olympic champion Michael Jung will take part in next month’s Ready Steady Tokyo equestrian test event alongside 17 athletes from four nations: Japan, Germany, Australia and Great Britain. Photo by FEI / Arnd Bronkhurst.

We’re nearly a year out from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, which means it’s time for organizers to start pressing all those buttons to make sure they work. Entries have been released for the Ready Steady Tokyo equestrian test event, taking place Aug. 12-14 at the Equestrian Park at Baji Koen and the new Sea Forest cross country venues. Run as a CCI3*, the test event will trial logistics, results, timing and data handling, footing, transport between the two venues, along with other key factors that are crucial for the smooth running of next year’s Games.

The field is impressive and includes 17 athletes from Japan, Germany, Australia and Great Britain. Among them: reigning Olympic champion and multi-medalled German athlete Michael Jung, triple Olympic team gold medallist Andrew Hoy of Australia, five-time Olympian and medallist William Fox-Pitt, and all four of Japan’s Asian Games 2018 gold medal team among an 11-strong Japanese squad.

“We have a truly star-studded cast for our Ready Steady Tokyo test event next month, when some of the world’s most decorated eventing athletes and their equine partners will have the opportunity to trial our two fabulous venues and, at the same time, provide a taster of the level of equestrian action that will be on offer at the Games next year,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “I can’t remember a time when we had such a high caliber of athletes and horses for the Olympic test event, so it’s going to be really special.”

Photo courtesy of the FEI.

The host nation has recently proven itself a real force on the international scene, with Japan taking team and individual gold at the Asian Games in Jakarta and the team finishing fourth and just out of the medals at the 2018 WEG 2018 in Tryon last September. This season, the team won the Olympic Groups F and G qualifier at Saumur in June, and Japanese athletes have claimed no fewer than three CCI4* victories: Kazuma Tomoto took wins at Chatsworth and Ballindenisk this spring, and Yoshiaki Oiwa took the top honor at Strzegom at the end of last month. Yoshiaki’s mount, whom he piloted to double gold at the Asian Games, is Bart M, a 13-year-old Dutch-bred gelding ridden by Frenchman Matthieu Lemoine to team gold at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Japan clearly has its sights set on a medal in Tokyo, and we’ll be following their preparations closely.

The full list of starters for the Ready Steady Tokyo equestrian test event is available here and will also be available on the dedicated equestrian page of the Ready Steady Tokyo website here shortly.

Cross country course designer Derek Di Grazia has built a special track for the test event. It will give athletes, National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and National Federations (NFs) a chance to assess the undulations of the terrain without giving too much away about Derek’s vision for the Olympic course. The Sea Forest cross country venue, which will host equestrian cross country, rowing and canoe sprint, will be turned into a park after the Games’ conclude. Baji Koen, site of the Olympic equestrian events at the 1964 Tokyo Games, has undergone extensive refurbishment, funded independently by the Japan Racing Association.

The test event also provides the opportunity for NOCs and NFs to take part in the official Observers Programme, which includes a session on climate mitigation protocols aimed at minimizing the effects of heat and humidity. The FEI is also conducting a study on participants at the test event (human and equine) with the goal of further boosting current research on optimizing performance in a challenging climate. Full details of the Observers Programme are available here.

The eventing format, which has been run at events in Poland, Ireland, New Zealand and Italy, will be used at the last leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup in Boekelo in October, when the final team slot on the Tokyo 2020 startlist will be allocated.

[Ready Steady Tokyo equestrian test event boasts world-class startlist]