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Second Annual Skijoring Competition Races to Rebecca Farm

By on Dec 14, 2018 8:00 am -

Jen Johnson in the tack and Sarah Broussard skiing in the 2017 Skijoring at Rebecca Farm costume class. Photo by Tommy Diegel Photography.

Eventers gotta keep themselves entertained in the off-season somehow! As such, Rebecca Farm is gearing up to host its second annual skijoring (think: skiing behind horses) competition on Dec. 29-30.

Last year’s skijoring event was the first-ever at Rebecca Farm. Notwithstanding a blizzard the night before, the event drew nearly 90 teams from the Flathead Valley and surrounding counties, plus several from out of state. Thousands of spectators braved the snowdrifts and frigid temps to watch the fun.

“It’s a sport that a lot of people are intrigued to try, and once they try it, they’re hooked,” says organizer Sarah Broussard. “Last year, we pulled in a lot of local people who just wanted to have some fun. It’s important to us to continue providing a place for the community to come out and enjoy themselves on New Year’s weekend.”

Derived from the Norwegian word skikjøring meaning “ski driving,” skijoring is a winter sport that combines skiing and horseback riding. The sport consists of a horse pulling a skier through an obstacle course, all while hitting jumps that range in size from three to nine feet high. Competitors are judged based on how long it takes for them to run the track — the quicker the time, the better the score. Participants receive penalties for gates and rings missed along the course.

Photo by Tommy Diegel Photography, courtesy of Rebecca Farm.

Teams will compete in three classes, Open, Sport and Novice, vying for cash prizes, as well as a Costume class for entertainment. A newly designed curved track will be built for this year’s competition.

“We’re excited to be running a curved track this year,” Sarah says. “It will be more challenging for the riders and skiers than last year’s straight track. It’s also more spectator-friendly because there’s better visibility up and down the course.”

Those fastest finishers will be awarded a total prize purse in excess of $20,000, funded by sponsorships. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Halt Cancer at X, an initiative created by Sarah that raises funds for breast cancer research and support services.

Any takers, EN? Registration information is available here. Volunteers are also needed, with duties to include course maintenance, gatekeeping, backup timing, warm up and ground crew. Shifts are four hours long and during that time, volunteers can enjoy free hot cocoa and coffee along with free entry to the event. Please sign up online here or contact Heidi at [email protected] or (406)270-3889.

Spectator admission is $5 and prime viewing is available right along the course. Kids are welcome (and free if under 13 years) at this family-friendly event, along with well-behaved, four-legged friends. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from local vendors, and Skijoring Stout, developed specifically for the Rebecca Farm event last year by Kalispell Brewing Company, will be on tap.

Go Skijoring!

 

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Team Ireland Eventing

By on Dec 12, 2018 4:30 pm -

Eventing Team nominated for RTE Sport Awards ‘Team of the Year’

✨Ireland’s Eventing Team World Silver Medallists have been nominated for the RTE Sports Awards ‘Team of the Year’!✨
To support the team what you need to do is set your ⏰ alarms ⏰ for 9.20pm on December 15th and vote. ‼️Voting is LIVE on the night‼️.
🤞We will update you as soon as voting details are announced! 🤞

Posted by Team Ireland Equestrian on Wednesday, December 12, 2018

The Irish Eventing Team has had a real barnburner of a year, the capstone being a team silver at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon — Ireland’s first team medal at a World Championship since 1966. Additionally, Padraig McCarthy and Mr Chunky clinched silver, the first individual medal for Ireland since 1978. Three world breeding medals and seven European youth medals suggest that Team Ireland’s success at WEG wasn’t a one-off, but evidence of an entire system working in tandem toward a singular goal of success.

“Some might say that what we achieved as a team is unbelievable, but what we believe is that success is reward for effort,” WEG team medalist Sam Watson explains in this video, produced in response to Team Ireland’s nomination for RTÉ Sports’ 2018 Team of the Year award.

Live voting for the award opens Saturday, Dec. 15 at 9:20 p.m. local time (4:20 EST) and Team Ireland needs your support! Follow the team on social media over the coming days to find out how to vote: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

 

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#DogsOfEN: Doggies Gonna Dog

By on Dec 12, 2018 2:30 pm -

Where there are horse people, there are dogs … and they deserve a moment in the spotlight, too!

Don’t forget to tag your pup pics on Instagram with #DogsOfEN for inclusion in a future edition.

View this post on Instagram

Brewer all bundled up 💘 #chihuahua #dogsofEN

A post shared by Rachael Hamill (@rhamillll) on

BONUS! Some pigeons:

A duck:

This playful kitten:

And a cat that seems not so sure about all this:

Go Eventing!

Inaugural Equestrian Businesswomen Summit to Take Place in January 2019

By on Dec 10, 2018 12:30 pm -

Lainey Ashker is among the panelists who will be sharing insights at the 2019 EQBW Summit. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Now more than ever it’s important for women to support one another personally and professional. The inaugural Equestrian Businesswomen Summit, to be held on Jan. 9, 2019, in West Palm Beach, Florida, aims to help nurture that community of support, providing inspiration and information on how to grow as a businesswoman and find success for your business.

The idea for Equestrian Businesswomen (EQBW) came from Jennifer Wood of Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. and Jump Media, who originally wanted to have an event that would bring like-minded entrepreneurs together for camaraderie, support, and networking.

“I started EQBW after a few years of an idea for a conference and the feeling of wanting something like this that provide resources, mentors, and a community when I started my business almost 10 years ago,” she says. “What was initially an idea for a conference grew into the 2019 EQBW Summit and then we saw the opportunity to really help equestrian businesswomen year-round.”

The mission of EQBW is to connect businesswomen in the equine industry to provide them with resources and community to foster their professional development and business opportunities. In this community, women can harness the network of like-minded individuals, inclusive of various disciplines and skill sets, to educate themselves, become better managers, strengthen relationships, and more, in order to strive for success in whatever business they pursue.

“We will be announcing our membership platform at the Summit and what it will entail, including member networking, expert resources, and online learning video content,” Jennifer says. “I see this as a community for any horsewoman, no matter what type of business they have or what type of horse they ride. I think it can provide a great opportunity for young women out of college and new in the work force to network, as well as more established entrepreneurs to work with peers, get advice, brainstorm, and more.”

The Summit will feature a number of thought-provoking and inspiring speakers talking about timely, relevant topics to help engage, support, and inform equestrian businesswomen. The speakers represent a variety of roles — riders, trainers, entrepreneurs — each offering unique skill sets, and women from all equestrian disciplines are invited to attend.

    • Keynote speaker Tracey Noonan: Tracey is the CEO and Co-Founder of Wicked Good Cupcakes, Inc. along with daughter, Dani Vilagie. The company, now seven years young, has grown to be a nationally known, multi-million dollar brand thanks in part to an appearance on ABC’s Emmy Award-winning show Shark Tank and subsequent deal with Shark, Kevin O’Leary. Wicked Good Cupcakes is now the largest shipper of cupcakes in the U.S. and has added a host of other products. To date, Wicked Good Cupcakes reports sales upwards of $22,000,000. Tracey was a 2015, 2016 and 2017 Finalist in the prestigious Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year competition. Tracey has more than two decades of experience with horses in the hunter/jumper, dressage and eventing disciplines and her colt, Quoi De Neuf, competed at Dressage at Devon.
    • Motivational Speaker Béatrice de Lavalette: Béatrice will tell her story of courage, perseverance, and focus as she recovered from a catastrophic injury, and how her horse played an exceptional role in her recovery. She will talk about how amazing things can happen and a new path in life can be found in the outcome of a critical situation. Béatrice de Lavalette is the most critically injured survivor of the Brussels Airport terrorist bombing. The now double-amputee Bea has been riding ponies and horses since the age of three and never one to give up, she was back on her horse for the first time five months after the bombing. Bea received Pentagon approval for one year of intensive rehabilitation at the Naval Medical Center-San Diego. While in San Diego, she met and began training with Shayna Simon at Arroyo Del Mar, with the goal of representing the United States at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2020. Bea is now attending the University of San Diego where she was granted the status of Scholar-Athlete. Bea will be competing in her first CPEDI*** January 17-20, 2019 during the Adequan Global Dressage Festival.
    • Informational Panels, to include: 
      “Building a Successful Equestrian Business” – in partnership with the US Equestrian Annual Meeting
      Lisa Roskens from International Omaha
      Lisa Lourie from Spy Coast Farm
      Alexandra Cherubini from EquiFit, inc.
      Noel Asmar from Asmar Equestrian
      Dressage Olympian Ashley Holzer
      Jobs Panel — “So You’re Not a Pro Rider. Job searches off the saddle.”
      Donna Brothers from StarLadies Racing and NBC Sports
      Nicole Lakin from BarnManager and the Equine Tech Collaboration
      Equine physiotherapist Janus Marquis
      Veterinarian and pharmaceutical expert Dr. Torri Maxwell
      Social Media Panel – Do You Really Need Snapchat? What’s your social strategy?”
      Eventing rider Laine Ashker
      Shona Rosenblum from Grand Slam Social
      Patricia da Silva from Heels Down Media and Magazine
      Social influencer Bethany Lee from My Equestrian Style
      Work/Life Balance Panel – “Put the Phone Down. Finding balance in a connected
      world.”
      Sarah Appel from Horse & Style magazine
      Eliane van Reesema from Hylofit
      Reiner and Quarter horse breeder Mandy McCutcheon
      Lisa Davis Engel from A Wynning Advantage and Sidelines magazine
      With Moderator Julie Saillant from Motivation-Addict.com

An additional presentation from Alexa Anthony of StableGuard on market research is on the schedule, as is “The Power of Media & Membership” Panel held at the US Equestrian Annual Meeting, which is taking place Jan. 9-12 at the Hilton West Palm Beach.

A presentation about the upcoming launch of a year-round membership program for EQBW, which will include member networking, expert resources, and online video learning content, will be given and a special introductory membership price announced.

There will be a networking lunch where attendees and panelists can meet and chat with women from across the equine industry while enjoying the complimentary lunch at the Hilton West Palm Beach in the Florida sunshine. Compare notes, show pictures of your horses (or kids), talk best practices, and share contact information.

We all need to feel a connection, and the EQBW Summit can provide ways to learn as well as motivational moments.

“I really think the idea and the company has so much potential and we really see the opportunity for tremendous growth and a way to help so many people,” Jennifer says.

The 2019 EQBW Summit will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. Tickets are $50. To learn more, visit www.EqBusinesswomen.com and follow EQBW on Facebook and Instagram.

Event Horse Names: New Orleans Edition

By on Dec 7, 2018 2:30 pm -

Names of event horses in the USEA horse database. Word cloud by Leslie Wylie.

New Orleans, site of the 2018 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, is one of the most singularly unique cities in the world. The music, the cuisine, the history, the nightlife, the southern goth vibes … you can’t walk down the French Quarter without getting a little tingle up on your spine.

Not surprisingly, Louisiana culture has inspired a ton of event horse names. There are a whopping 20 horses with the registered name Mardi Gras, and there are dozens of variations on the word Cajun — see the word cloud above.

Admittedly, this word cloud puts a little rumble in my belly … convention-goers, if you have a chance to escape the compound, have a meal at French Quarter hole-in-the-wall Coop’s Place. Best jambalaya in New Orleans, IMO. Follow that up with a beer at Laffite’s Blacksmith Shop on Bourbon Street. Built in 1761 and formerly pirate-owned, it’s dark, allegedly haunted and the perfect antithesis to brightly lit conference rooms. And don’t forget to have get your fortune read while you’re in town! Get a sneak preview of how that 2019 season is going to go.

Shannon Brinkman, one of New Orleans’ most magical native creatures, snapped this photo of Chinch partying down at New Orleans a couple years ago.

Louisiana has an active equestrian culture. The area is served by the Southern Eventing & Dressage Association, which hosts a number of shows and activities each year, and belongs to USEA’s Area V. Two USEA recognized events will be held in the state in 2019: Holly Hill Spring H.T. in Benton (April 19-20) and Fleur de Leap H.T. in Folsom (Oct. 12-13).

There’s quite a lot of horse racing in the state, and we’ve seen some great ones transition off track into successful eventing careers. At this year’s Thoroughbred Makeover at the Kentucky Horse Park in October, the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association sponsored a new $2,500 award for the top placing Louisiana-bred OTTB. Retired jockey and Retired Racehorse Project board member Rosie Napravnik is based in New Orleans and markets retiring Thoroughbreds for second careers.

Aside from Louisiana themed horse names, you can find little hints of the area throughout U.S. eventing. Like this water complex at Rebecca Farms, a nod to the late Rebecca and Jerome Broussard’s home in the deep south before they relocated to Montana in the mid-’80s. Included is an assortment of bayou creatures ranging from benign (crawfish, beavers) to deadly (water moccasins and alligators).

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Alright, so this edition of “Event Horse Names” may have been just a jumping-off point for waxing poetic about one of my favorite corners of the earth. If you’re at the Convention, enjoy! If not, keep it locked here for all the latest — and here’s a recipe for authentic New Orleans beignets as a consolation prize.

#USEAConvention: Website, Schedule, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

In case you missed them, check out these previous editions of Event Horse Names: Authors, Books & Characters, Battle of the Booze, The Empire Business, Monster Trucks, Celebrities, Snow, Valentine’s Day, St. Paddy’s Day, Fourth of July, Christmas, Pumpkin Spice All the Thingz, and What’s For Breakfast?

Previewing New Zealand’s Puhinui International CCI3*

By on Dec 7, 2018 8:30 am -

Fence #13. Photo courtesy of Cross Country App.

It may be winter here in the States, but it’s high spring in New Zealand and peak event season is ON. Puhinui International Horse Trials in Auckland is a big fixture on the calendar, headlined by a CCI3* class that will be contested by 11 horse/rider combinations.

Australian designer Ewan Kellett, known for his work at Melbourne International Three-Day Event as well as in Great Britain and Asia, was called in to design the CCI3* and 2* cross country courses for the Puhinui just nine weeks ago. Despite the tight timeline and a lot of rain he has introduced some exciting changes.

Ewan knew the event by reputation but hadn’t seen the course himself. In an interview for Cross Country App with rider Christen Hayde on Tuesday, he explained, “To come here really nothing about the venue was quite challenging, and knowing that within nine weeks I had to pull together a CCI2* and 3* was daunting. Thankfully by the same token I was fairly confident we could get it done.”

Most years the ground at Puhinui tends toward being hard, but several downpours of late have left the course on the soft, puddly side. “Hopefully the sunshine and the wind will do their job through the rest of the week and we don’t get to much more rain,” Ewan said, and the outlook seems favorable, with forecasts showing just a 10% chance of rain on Saturday.

Ewan sums up the course: “It’s consistent from the star to the finish. They’ve got to maintain the horse’s confidence, get them to jump and turn, jump and stay straight — it’s a good three-star test.”

Puhinui kicked off with the first horse inspection on Thursday afternoon followed by dressage on Friday. For live coverage we recommend keeping an eye on An Eventful Life, which will be reporting on all the latest.

Here’s a CCI3* course preview with video commentary from Ewan at key combinations, courtesy of CrossCountry App.

We wish to thank CrossCountry App for all their hard work in sharing courses from around the world throughout 2018. If you’re looking for a neat, useful gift for the eventing enthusiast in your life, consider a CrossCountry App gift voucher! It’s easy to gift the app via email — here’s how.

Puhinui International Horse Trials: Website, Schedule, Ride Times, Scores

Thursday Video from Nupafeed: Equestrian Team GBR & BEF Show LGBT Support

By on Dec 6, 2018 3:00 pm -

A British rider plaits a pair of rainbow laces, one of 75,000 pairs distributed through Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, into a mane. Photo via Equestrian Team GBR’s Facebook page.

“Every player, every athlete, every team is stronger when sport welcomes and supports everyone. 

“It’s down to all of us to become an active ally to lesbian, gay, bi and trans people.

“It’s about working together, whether that’s playing for fun, playing to win, or cheering on your favourite athletes or team. 

“When we all play our part, we can make sport everyone’s game.”

That’s the mission behind Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces, a campaign set up to celebrate and support LGBT equality and inclusivity within sports — including equestrian sport. Equestrian Team Great Britain and the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) have embraced the campaign, which began Nov. 17 and runs through tomorrow.

Equestrian Team GBR changed its logo colors from the traditional red, white and blue to the colors of the rainbow across social media …

Images courtesy of Equestrian Team GB.

… and posted this video:

Equestrian Team Great Britain and the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) have embraced the campaign, which began Nov. 17 and runs through tomorrow.

Rainbow Laces

Notice anything different?

We are showing our colours and supporting Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign to celebrate and support LGBT equality and inclusivity in equestrian sport and beyond.

Read more: http://bit.ly/BEFRainbowLaces

Posted by Equestrian Team GBR on Wednesday, November 21, 2018

We applaud the organizations and riders who have embraced the campaign, and encourage eventers on both sides of the pond to follow their lead. As the campaign puts it, “It’s down to all of us to be an active ally to lesbian, gay, bi and trans people in sport. It’s about being a teammate and taking responsibility. It’s not just about showing your support, it’s about playing your part in challenging prejudice and abuse.”

Learn more about the Rainbow Laces Campaign at www.stonewall.org.uk. Go Eventing.

Get Your Early Bird Discount Kentucky Tickets Today! Prices Increase at Midnight

By on Dec 6, 2018 7:30 am -

#BeLikeChinch

You’re going, right? Might as well seal the deal already and take advantage of early bird ticket prices for the 2019 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. This price bracket expires at midnight on Thursday, Dec. 6, so get those tickets today!

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.

“If you want the best seats in the house, you better buy your tickets as soon as they go on sale!” says Stewart Perry, president of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI). “We had over 80,000 spectators at least year’s event — with more than 33,000 on cross country day alone. Tickets and tailgate spots go fast, so I urge everyone to order early!”

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.

Tickets are also available for the $225,000 Kentucky CSI3* Invitational on Saturday following cross country —  tickets are $5, with $1 going to the 2019 official charity, plus tax and fees. Hospitality packages are also available. You can purchase those tickets separately here.

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. EN #ProTip: Tickets make awesome Christmas gifts!

The 2019 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event takes place April 25-28. Order your tickets today at www.KentuckyThreeDayEvent.com/tickets.

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Catching Up with Connor Husain

By on Dec 5, 2018 5:00 pm -

Interview: Connor Husain at the USEF U25 National Championship

After a successful eventing career and an individual gold medal at the Adequan FEI North American Youth Championships, Connor Husain has taken to the jumper ring. We caught up with him at the USEF U25 Show Jumping National Championship to talk about #FEINAYC, his horse ‘Sammie’, his future in the sport and more.

Posted by USEF Network on Sunday, December 2, 2018

At just 25 years old Connor Husain has already found upper-level success in two equestrian disciplines. His gateway drug was eventing; with his partner Piece of Hope, he clinched CCI2* individual gold at the 2012 Adequan FEI North American Youth Championships, followed by a CCI2* win at Fair Hill later that fall.

In this USEF Network video from the USEF U25 Show Jumping National Championship, Connor talks about his transition to show jumping, a trajectory that has been equally star-crossed. Connor now competes at the Grand Prix level and has been competing extensively abroad for the past two years. Great riding is great riding, and Connor’s cross-discipline accolades are a testament to his fundamental proficiency in the saddle.

Side soapbox: Packy McGaughan penned a thoughtful “Between Rounds” column in the Nov. 5/12 issue of The Chronicle of the Horse on the subject titled “Is American Eventing Lost in the Wilderness?” In it, he points to how several of the most competitive international riders in our sport — Michael Jung, Maxime Livio, Chris Burton, Marilyn Little, and Jonelle and Tim Price, to name a handful — are competent through the highest levels of dressage and/or show jumping as well and regularly test themselves in Grand Prix competition. “In doing so they learn how to bring to bear a more detailed understanding of those skills on their training of event horses,” he writes. “Without question, these riders are the eventers to beat in the modern sport.” (If you missed Packy’s column, go check it out! It’s well worth a read.)

Now, if only we can talk Connor into transitioning BACK to eventing ….

Concerned about transportation stress?

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• Research shows that even short trips in the trailer challenge your horse’s immune system, leaving
him more susceptible to illness.
• Providing powerful antioxidants such as natural vitamin E supports a robust immune response
during stressful situations like traveling.
• Elevate delivers a highly bioavailable source of natural vitamin E that is preferentially absorbed
and retained in the tissues.
• Support your horse when he needs it most with Elevate natural vitamin E.

For more information, visit KPPvet.com.

 

 

#EventerSolutions: Baling Twine Hoarders Unite!

By on Dec 5, 2018 3:30 pm -

The idea of tossing clipped baling twine makes me twitchy, but how much is too much?

Seems fine to me. As you were, EN.

Welcome to another edition of the judgement-free zone known as #EventerSolutions.

Go Eventing.

Maryland Horse Trials Gets into Holiday Spirit with December Donation Derby

By on Dec 5, 2018 11:30 am -

Photo by Maya Kuntze.

The Maryland Horse Trials doesn’t slow down for the winter months — it just leans in harder, offering a variety of schooling opportunities to keep eventers busy throughout the off-season.

Last weekend Loch Moy Farm played host to a holiday-festive MDHT Donation Derby in support of Platoon 22. Donations were accepted to help the charitable organization’s mission of raising awareness of for the suicide epidemic facing veterans and first responders while providing empowerment through programming and research. The Derby was a success, raising $3,876.82 for the cause.

Competitors decked the halls their horses with boughs of holly, strings of tinsel, jingle bells and more (there appeared to be one rogue Easter Bunny) as they tackled cross derby courses of Elementary through Modified levels.

Photo by Amy Flemming-Waters of AFW Photography.

Many thanks to photographers Ashlee Fleming of Foxtography, Maya Kuntze and Amy Flemming-Waters of AFW Photography for these fun pics of the event!

Many thanks to MDHT for putting on such a great event, and a high-five to the event’s volunteers as well who braved the chill to show everyone a good time.

Visit the MDHT website for a full calendar of events. A few dates to circle on your calendar:

January 5, February 2, March 9-10: MDHT Winter Cross Derby 
The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm will be hosting a Winter Cross Derby Series in 2019. The cross derby incorporates cross country and stadium jumps across eight acres of all-weather footing. Obstacles will include ditches, banks, water, and various portable fences. The goal is to provide an opportunity for riders to keep horses fit and competing over the winter on safe footing, in a low-pressure environment. The levels range from Poles/Crossrails through Modified. A brief schooling period is offered prior to every division. Ribbons are given through 8th place. Each cross derby is a registered USEA Educational Activity. Competitors may enter electronically via evententries.com or eventclinics.com. More information at www.themarylandhorsetrials.com.

December 3-March 8: Cross Country Schooling on All-Weather Footing at Loch Moy Farm 
School cross country obstacles on eight acres of all-weather footing. Ditches, banks, water, and portable fences from Intro height (18″) through Preliminary. By appointment only. The cost is $50 per horse/rider combination and includes use of the regular schooling course and trails. A ground person is required and safety vests must be worn. Call ahead and jumps can be customized to what you’re working on. Derby course is closed for schooling during competition days, but the schooling course remains available. Call or text Carolyn at (301)514-0111 or email us at [email protected] to schedule an appointment. More information and download the waiver and rules at https://themarylandhorsetrials.com/schooling-opportunities/cross-country-schooling.

Go Eventing!

 

Go After Your Dream in 2019 with These 6 Working Student Opportunities

By on Dec 5, 2018 9:01 am -

I know I’m not alone in testifying that my year of being a working student was one of the most formative experiences of my life. I came away not only a better rider and horseman, but with a heightened awareness of the skill-set required to be a successful equestrian professional and top-level athlete.

If you’re ready to take your own eventing to the next level, dive in head-first with one of these six working student opportunities as seen on Sport Horse Nation. We love living and learning vicariously through our working student bloggers as well, so please consider sharing your experience with EN.

If you have a working student position available, please email it to [email protected] to be featured in the next edition!

Photos courtesy of Jacob Fletcher and 501 Sport Horses.

501 Sport Horses is looking to add to the team! We are looking for a motivated individual who is interested in being a working student at our Ocala location for the winter season (January – April). Our working students have the opportunity to work on improving their riding and horsemanship skills under the watchful eye of a 3* level event rider Jacob Fletcher. Duties include: barn chores, facility maintenance, grooming and tacking up, as well as some grooming at competitions. We will provide housing for you and your horse plus lessons and one day off per week. Previous horse experience is a must. Please send resumes along with references to [email protected].

Photos courtesy of Courtney Cooper and C-Squared Eventing.

Courtney Cooper & C Square Farm Working Student Opportunity! Want to learn from the best in the sales business on how to have a business and improve your riding and stable management skills at the same time? Then we have the opportunity for you! Four-star eventer Courtney Cooper of C Square Farm has openings in her working student program. Be prepared for long hours and demanding work. In return we provide housing for you and your horse, lessons, one day off per week, and a small stipend for the right person with previous experience. This is a position with room for growth and opportunity—you will get out of it what you put in. Applicants must be ready to work as part of a team where everyone works towards fulfilling their goals. Based in Nottingham, PA April thru December. Winter season is spent in Aiken, SC. Email [email protected] or (610)952-5347.

Photos courtesy of Nilson Moreira da Silva and Laura VanderVliet.

Working Student/Apprentice Position: Stop dreaming about it and do it!! If you are passionate about horses, believe you have the ability to succeed and are willing to work hard to make your dreams reality if given the chance, we are willing to give you the chance. Working student position available in Aiken, SC starting immediately with international event riders Nilson Moreira da Silva and Laura VanderVliet. Position offers housing, lessons, plenty of riding and schooling opportunities for capable rider, possible competition opportunities, grooming, training and management experience. Busy competition and training business in the heart of eventing. Board options available. Interested candidates should private message or email a brief summary of experience and references to [email protected].

Photo courtesy of Phyllis Dawson and Team Windchase.

Join the Windchase Team! Phyllis Dawson (VA), Olympian and Level IV ICP certified instructor, is looking for a long-term working student at Windchase beginning in early 2019. Receive daily lessons, full board for your horse, experience riding multiple horses, housing, and shipping to competitions, a package with a value of over $3,000 per month – in return for barn work and horse care. You will be part of a top quality eventing stable, train with an Olympic rider, and learning how to run a successful business. Plenty of riding opportunities and daily instruction, and top class facilities. Check out our website at www.teamwindchase.com. We are in the heart of the Area II Eventing
community. Excellent facilities and extensive cross-country courses. Bring your horse, ride and compete — or if you don’t have a horse take lessons on ours. We are looking for dedicated students who can commit to at least six months. Plus, we have a lot of fun! Follow Windchase Eventing on Facebook and Instagram. Contact Phyllis at [email protected].  Phyllis Dawson, Windchase, Purcellville, VA (540) 668-6024 – stable, (540) 668-6548 – home, E-mail: [email protected].

Photo courtesy of Jane Sleeper Eventing.

Dreaming of riding a 4* Horse? Opportunity knocks! Working student position open to advance your skill level. Lessons on a 4* horse, bring your horse, compete, train and expand young horse knowledge. Jane’s program will be in Aiken, SC, for two months and she would be interested in inviting some short-term students in that area: “We had a great time last winter and oh so fun!” Contact Jane Sleeper eventing at (610)857-2514 or [email protected].

Working Students wanted in sunny, warm North Carolina. We have openings for two full time working students in Salisbury, North Carolina. 3-6-9 and 12-month programs are available, depending upon your goals and interests. Come with your horse(a) and do high level Pony Club prep, prepare for a specific competition goal, OR just bring yourself and learn the horse management skills you need to be in the professional horse industry. We can tailor a program to your needs and goals. Working students will be required to share the daily farm chores for a 15-horse stable with four total staff including: mucking, feeding, cleaning, grooming, tacking & after care, wrapping, blanketing, night check and basic medical care. Regular lessons and riding are part of the program! Ideal candidate is reliable and motivated and eager to learn. Ability to be a team player with a sense of humour is a must:) Six-day work week, most weekends competing or schooling. This is an unpaid position. Visit www.chesterfieldequestrian.com. Call, text and/or email Bob and Katherine for details and to apply: [email protected], (704) 636-9418.

Go Eventing.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Dec 5, 2018 1:00 am -

Tiffany Morey and Diamond Daylilly. Photo by Maya Kuntze Photography.

You just never know which spark is going to start a fire. In January of this year, reader Tiffany Morey won a Boyd Martin Eventing 4-Pack of boots for our Majyk Equipe New Year’s resolution contest. Her resolution:

“My goal for 2018 is simple: for my mare and I to compete in our first event. We’ve been a team for over three years now, and have stuck it out through the various roadblocks that life has thrown at us during that time (torn rider ACL, moving to a different state for grad school). 2018 is going to be the year that we finally get to event!”

Winning the boots was just the kick in the pants from the universe that Tiffany needed to get going with that goal. She reported back to us in November:

“We worked hard all year to polish our skills to actually make this happen, as neither she nor I had ever evented before. This past weekend, our resolution finally came to fruition and we completed our first starter horse trial adding only time to our dressage score! We were happy and proud to sport our Majyk boots as we rocked around stadium and cross country, and her legs stayed safe despite the less than ideal footing conditions!”

 So awesome. But that’s not even the end of the story! Tiffany checked in once more this week with an update, having completed her first derby cross at Loch Moy.

“Not only did winning the New Year’s Resolution Content and the Majyk boots inspire me to complete my first event, it has also motivated me to try derby cross. Not only did we accomplish our goals, we somehow managed to finish 3rd! This was a great surprise considering it was our second event ever, third time schooling over any type of cross country obstacles, and first time moving up to Elementary. It was also a nice way to end the season. I’m pretty sure those Majyk boots really ARE magical!

“Thanks again for the continued support of eventers everywhere and at every level. If it weren’t for us winning those boots, I doubt I would have gotten the guts to make it out this season. GO EVENTING!”

Our pleasure. Riders like you, Tiffany, are what makes our world go round. GO EVENTING, indeed.

EN #ProTip: Enter to win a fully paid entry for the Area II YRAP Fundraiser Fix-A-Test at Morven Park, courtesy of Attwood Equestrian Surfaces! This educational event takes place Dec. 30 with licensed dressage judge Gretchen Butts from Waredaca and will be held in Morven Park’s newly renovated indoor arenas featuring top-class footing. See details below!

National Holiday: International Ninja Day

Your Wednesday News & Notes:

Jess Halliday has been a fixture in Area I for the past decade, whether working at Dover or running her own training farm. However, 2018 has not been her year, with one bad thing after another happening. Despite that, Jess never gave up her smile, even through what she thought was a bad stomach bug. When the bug turned out to be Stage IV colon cancer, the area has found a way to support her through their ‘Buck Off Cancer’ fundraiser. The latest effort is a raffle featuring a number of great prizes: lessons with top riders, free show entries, and more. Winners will be picked at the end of the POP Show on December 16, with online entries to close Dec. 15. [Buck Off FL Raffle]

The 2018 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention kicks off tomorrow at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana. EN’s Jenni Autry and Leslie Threlkeld will be bringing us live updates throughout the week. Get a sneak peak at what’s in store via this digital program, which is jam-packed with useful information. [USEA: Check Out the 2018 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention Digital Program]

The USEA has recognized Brenda Jarrell as its Volunteer of the Month Presented by Athletux. By all accounts, she is a real-life wonder woman: “Brenda is the current Young Rider Coordinator for Area 1 and everything she has been able to accomplish in just one year at the helm is pretty incredible. Her dedication to the program is unmatched and she does it all on top of her day job as a partner in a law firm in Boston and riding alongside her children.” [Brenda Jarrell: USEA’s Volunteer of the Month Presented by Athletux]

We have been eagerly awaiting the completion of The Pavilion at Stable View, and now a grand opening has been announced. Barry and Cyndy Olliff with Designer Builders invite eventers to join them at the Aiken, South Carolina venue on Jan. 12 for a lunch catered by Berry’s Catering & Floral, with live entertainment during the Aiken Opener Horse Trials. The pavilion opens at 11 a.m. with food from noon to 1 p.m. RSVP required by Jan. 4 — contact (484)356-3173 or [email protected]. [Stable View Farm]

The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm (Adamstown, MD) will be hosting a Winter Cross Derby Series in 2019. Dates are Jan. 5, Feb. 2 and March 9-10. The cross derby incorporates cross country and stadium jumps across eight acres of all-weather footing. Obstacles will include ditches, banks, water, and various portable fences. The goal is to provide an opportunity for riders to keep horses fit and competing over the winter on safe footing, in a low-pressure environment. The levels range from Poles/Crossrails through Modified. A brief schooling period is offered prior to every division. Ribbons are given through 8th place. Each cross derby is a registered USEA Educational Activity. Competitors may enter electronically via evententries.com or eventclinics.com. The venue is also offering cross country schooling on its all-weather footing through March 8, by appointment only. More information at www.themarylandhorsetrials.com.

The horse world was stunned and saddened by the passing of British show jumper Tim Stockdale on Nov. 14. The family will set up a foundation in memory of the late equestrian. In a statement they thanked all those who have been in touch and said they are welcoming ideas for fundraisers in Tim’s memory. [H&H: Tim Stockdale foundation to be set up in his memory]

Enter to win, courtesy of Attwood Equestrian Surfaces!

Free. Free. Free. ONE lucky rider will WIN a fully paid entry for the Area II YRAP Fundraiser Fix-A-Test at Morven Park…

Posted by Attwood Equestrian Surfaces on Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

#EventerProblems Vol. 164: Tell Us How You Really Feel

By on Dec 4, 2018 9:00 am -

JK, no words necessary — the face says it all.

Here’s your latest batch of #EventerProblems! Keep ’em coming, EN. (We know you will, because the problems never end….)

Go Eventing.

Weekend Winners: Sporting Days Farm H.T. IV

By on Dec 3, 2018 12:00 pm -

Welcome to the final edition of “Weekend Winners” of 2018! With the conclusion of Sporting Days Farm H.T. IV over the weekend, the U.S. eventing competition calendar is officially on hiatus until Stable View Aiken Opener H.T. (Jan. 12) and Majestic Oaks H.T. in Ocala (Jan. 12-13). Both events are opened for entries last Tuesday, so if you need to get one on the books to keep you motivated through the holiday dead zone, go right on ahead send ’em in.

By all accounts the weather was uninspiring in Aiken over the weekend, but competitors soldiered on amid the cold pouring rain. Here are your weekend winners! View complete results here.

Open Preliminary: Ashley Hays & Call It Courage (32.4)
Preliminary Rider: Hannah Wright & Delilah Z (36.0)

Open Training: Rachel Miles & Zane (32.3)
Training Rider-A: Elizabeth Welker-Ebling & Santana II (32.7)
Training Rider-B: Elizabeth Welker-Ebling & Catchy Connection (30.7)
Novice Rider-A: Sally Rosen & Mayson (30.2)
Novice Rider-B: Finley Habenicht & Aleta NSF (29.5)

Open Novice: Morgan Batton & Bananarama (29.1)

Beginner Novice Rider-A: Jeanne Hulse & Pathfinder (30.5)
Beginner Novice Rider-B: Helen Chapman & Blackhook Porter (32.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Libby Head & SRF Western Territory (24.5)

Starter: Kari Stenberg & Alberta Sunshine (35.7)

A few more of your Instagram snapshots and videos from the weekend that was:

View this post on Instagram

Very wet but exciting weekend in Aiken! We had a slightly tense dressage test but Andy shined in a few of our problem areas, earning a 35.2. We had one unfortunate rail in stadium and one honestly insecure stop on a beefy but fun XC course, every bit of it in the pouring cold rain. Not the best results on paper, but we did manage to finish on a number and not a letter at our first Novice outing, and #ImaInyToo tried his heart out as usual in less than perfect circumstances. So pleased with #GoodBoyAndy and grateful/excited for the rest of the #montclairstablescrew! Big congrats and thank you to @bucksnj and @hmsclark2 for all you do, and congrats to @upelevator @margaret_curran & family @annaroseh23 @annepartlettcrews and lastly 🙌MASSIVE 🙌 thank you to @ellemem for your generosity in providing transport. #nofairweatherridershere #drownedrats #everythingvaluableiowniscoveredinmud #eventersofinstagram #ottb #sportingdaysfarm #3phase3ways #montclairstables

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Second Prelim with Wiggins ✔️

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Congrats to all. Go Eventing!

#DogsOfEN: Who’s the Boss?

By on Dec 2, 2018 9:00 am -

My first trainer had a schutzhund-trained German Shepherd she called her assistant. The dog sat ringside during lessons and if a horse refused a fence, it would pounce in barking and bite at the horse’s heels. Unorthodox but I can’t say it wasn’t effective — our horses quickly learned that it was in their best interest to just jump the jump.

Who is REALLY running the show at your barn? From lessons to chores and even horse show weekends, these #DogsOfEN seem to have established a position of authority.

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Mowing supervisor 👍🐶 #blueheeler #farmdog #dogsofen

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Tag your pup pics for inclusion in a future edition of #DogsOfEN! Go Eventing.

Ingrid Klimke Clinches Win in Derby at Sweden International Horse Show

By on Dec 1, 2018 9:00 am -

Ingrid Klimke and Parmenides. Photo by Rebecca Brimark via Sweden International Horse Show.

Ingrid Klimke and Parmenides led Team Germany to victory on Thursday at the Sweden International Horse Show Indoor Derby. After winning the class here in 2015 and finishing second in 2017, we knew they were the ones to beat and they delivered, turning in a lightning-fast round.

Ingrid Klimke, fälttävtävlanslegenden är här på Friends för femte gången! Missa inte hennes runda!#sihs2018 #onlythebest #helafamiljensevememang #fälttävlan

Posted by Sweden International Horse Show on Thursday, November 29, 2018

“He’s my most fun horse,” Ingrid says of Parmenides, a 14-year-old Trakehner gelding (Sir Chamberlain x Praedestina, by Habicht) owned by his breeders Marion and Eric Gottschalk. “He loves to go against the clock and go fast. But he can also go out and do a good dressage competition.”

The pair is on a hot streak, having won the indoor derby at Stuttgart German Masters just two weeks ago. The prize for winning at Sweden International was a tractor, which she won last time as well but never got to enjoy. “We sold the last tractor and saved the money to find a young promising horse,” she says.

She praised the competition’s atmosphere. “It’s great to ride here,” she says. “I would love to come back again.”

Team Germany for the win. Photo by Rebecca Brimark via Sweden International Horse Show.

Finishing second individually was Great Britain’s Ros Canter and her own Las Vegas, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Glock’s Lightning x Chamonix). The one-two Ingrid/Ros punch was a repeat of their placements at Stuttgart earlier this month — it’s been fun to see the two women trading out the top positions all fall, with Ros of course barely nudging Ingrid out of gold medal contention at the WEG in Tryon. Rounding out the top three was another German, Peter Thomsen, with Horseware Nobleman, a 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Nekton x Candillo) owned by the rider and Tabitha and Christian Gläsel.

Team Results 

  1. Germany (Ingrid Klimke, Andreas Ostholt, Peter Thomsen, Jan Matthias)
  2. Sweden (Niklas Lindbäck, Anna Freskgård, Malin Josefsson, Hanna Berg)
  3. Great Britain (Ros Canter, Fiona Kashel, Alice Pearson, Georgie Strang)
  4. New Zealand/Australia (Lissa Green, Bill Levett, Lucy Jackson, Jesse Campbell)

Individual Top 10 

  1. Ingrid Klimke & Parmenides – GER (55.60)
  2. Ros Canter & Las Vegas – GBR (60.01)
  3. Peter Thomsen & Horseware Nobleman – GER (61.88)
  4. Malin Josefsson &  Golden Midnight – SWE (61.88)
  5. Andreas Ostholt & Pennsylvania 28 – GER (62.08)
  6. Jesse Campbell & Diachello – NZL (65.0)
  7. Georgie Strang & Cooley Earl – GBR (66.81)
  8. Niklas Lindbäck & Fairytale – SWE (67.69)
  9. Hanna Berg & Jagular Pooh – SWE (72.15)
  10. Anna Freskgård & Fly Away vdNRanch – SWE (73.17)

Sweden International Horse Show: Website, Schedule, Live Stream, Team Results, Individual Results

[Germany Unbeatable on the Field Competition]

Go Check Out the New and Improved USEA Website!

By on Nov 30, 2018 3:30 pm -

Actual photo of Blake, EN’s tech guy.

Unlike EN, which is held together with scotch tape and has undergone exactly one (1) redesign since baby John built it in his mom’s basement a decade ago, some websites actually try to keep up with the times. (To John’s credit some readers still inexplicably prefer the Classic EN format, which remains available because folks got real cranky when we tried to take it away. It also looks terrible and is impossible to navigate, but alas.)

One such modern-age internet trailblazer is the USEA, which launched a new and improved website today. Click on over to useventing.com and check it out — we love what they’ve done with the place. It’s streamlined and simplified with all the stuff you use the most, like the horse/rider search and the calendar, front and center on the home page. It also does a great job of drawing members’ attention to important reminders and highlighting USEA’s engaging content, which is updated daily.

The website also looks to have mobile-optimized design, meaning it’s functional and looks good on your phone. That’s always handy when you need to look something up in a hurry, like your dressage test when you’re next on deck and your mind suddenly draws a blank about whether that canter transition is at A or at K. (For the record: Events + Competition < Resources < Dressage Tests.)

Just goes to show what is possible when your tech guy isn’t Blake.

Eventingnation.com during Kentucky this year.

“Hello you’ve reached Blake and the team at CyberCatz Inc. We’re busy helping another customer at the moment, but if you leave a message we’ll call you back … JK LOL.”

Thanks, USEA! Have questions about the new site? They’ve outlined a few helpful hints for navigating it here.

EN #ProTip: While you’re over there, be sure to renew your membership if you haven’t already because your 2018 membership expires today. To do so, go to the USEA’s Online Services by clicking “Login” in the top right-hand corner of the website.

[USEA Launches New and Improved Website]

EN’s Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for the Eventer in Your Life

By on Nov 30, 2018 2:00 pm -

If you have an eventer on your shopping list this year, you’ve come to the right place. I am here to share a few facts about our unique equestrian species — and the perfect gifts to compliment them!

We are color coordinated. 

We are obsessive compulsive about our cross country color schemes, and they have a funny way of creeping into every aspect of our lives. Help fuel the fire with a matchy-matchy gift. Let’s just say, for instance, your eventer’s colors are red and blue:

SmartPak Soft Padded Leather Dog Collar with custom accent collar ($25.95 from SmartPak); Stock Tie in Stakes Race ($65 from Stock Tie); Stars and Stripes Socks ($9.99 from SoxTrot); Custom Ear Bonnet in Checkered Navy with Bright Red and Silver ($85 from Frilly Fillies); Custom Vinyl Monogram ($4+ from Brighton Beach Designs); Southern Sweet PGH Made to Order Browband in Red/White/Blue ($85 from Etsy); Majyk Equipe Color Elite XC Boot with ARTi-LAGE Technology ($99.99 front, $115.99 hind from Majyk Equipe).

We get banged up.

Our sport is predicated on galloping at high-speed toward solid obstacles — and things don’t always go according to plan. As a result, we tend to accumulate more bumps and dings than the average bear. Pamper your eventer with the gift of a massage gift certificate or therapeutic product.

Draper Body Therapy Travel Blanket ($30 from Draper Therapies); Diamonds in the Dirt Savvy Muscle Creme for Rusty Equestrians ($28 from World Equestrian Brands); Professional’s Choice Miracle Knee Support ($61.95 from Professional’s Choice); Draper Body Therapy Ladies Long-sleeved Blue T-Shirt ($65 from Draper Therapies); Dr. Teal’s Three-Pack of Epsom Salts ($26.95 from Amazon); Noel Asmar Scented Candle ($45 from SmartPak); Horseware Rambo Ionic Wrist Support ($11.95 from SmartPak). 

We have a lot of STUFF. 

Like three times the normal amount that any normal equestrian should own. Keeping up with three phases is hard work, but these gifts can help your eventer organized.

Professional’s Choice Trailer Door Caddy ($34.95 from Professional’s Choice); Magnetic Stud Dish ($16.95 from SmartPak); HWH20 Waterproof Bag ($64.95 from Horseware); SmartPak Grooming Tote ($15 from SmartPak); Shires Learn-a-Test ($6.50 from SmartPak).

But we always need MORE stuff. 

Here are a few of the most beloved horsey gifts I’ve received over the past year or two, inspired by my 14-hand event pony Princess, with a tribute to my 29-year-old unicorn Mishka and my deeply missed heart horse Esprit.  (Confession: The pom-pom helmet cover was a gift to myself, and to the world, really. Who can resist a chuckle seeing a full-grown woman on a little pony gallop past with THAT on her head?)

Cranberry Dapple Hat Cover ($20.42 from Stockinjur); 14 Hands Wine (prices vary); Tiara Brooch (prices vary, from Etsy); Roma Glitter Flower Crop ($11.95 from Dover Saddlery); Custom Felt Ornament from Made Known Loved (prices vary, from Etsy).

Most of all, we love our horses. 

My “Dear Santa” lists as a kid were always headlined by items like “Vial of Adequan” or “Gallon of ShowSheen.” My parents would be like, “Are you sure? Don’t you want something for yourself?” What they didn’t understand: A gift to my horse IS a gift to myself — there’s no better gift in the world than a happy, healthy horse.

If your horse could write Santa, what would he or she ask for? Here’s an excerpt from Princess’ dream “Dear Santa” list. Notice the thinly veiled food/backrub/warm blankie theme — although I did edit her original snack preferences, which entailed straight-up bags of sugar cubes, to low-sugar and low-carb choices. Sorry, Princess! “Santa” knows best.

E.A. Mattes Grooming Mitt with Double Sided Sheepskin ($26 from World Equestrian Brands); Crunchits Low Sugar Horse Treats ($6 from World Equestrian Brands); Equilibrium Therapy Massage Mitt ($225 from World Equestrian Brands); Draper Equine Therapy Quarter Sheet ($160 from Draper Therapies); Legends CarbCare Balancer Pellet (from Southern States). 

Happy Holidays from the Nation Media family. Go Riding!

#EventerFailFriday: Yeah But We Got to the Other Side

By on Nov 30, 2018 9:00 am -

Over it, under it, or through it … it might not always be pretty, and the grass might not always be greener on the other side, and every now and again we might even faceplant in said grass. But you can count on eventers to get to the other side.

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#failfriday #eventerfailfriday

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Go Eventing.

Thursday Video from Nupafeed: Hoof Soaking 101 with Elisa Wallace

By on Nov 29, 2018 5:00 pm -

‘Tis the season for abscesses! A stretch of soggy weather created an epidemic of the buggers at our barn. You know the drill by heart — soak, wrap, and send up a little prayer to Eventing Jesus that the goo-festation resolves itself ASAP. “It’s draining out three holes at once!” our long-suffering barn manager Julie was heard to exclaim with regard to her own horse’s abscess, in either victory or defeat, awe or disgust. With these sorts of things, it’s sometimes hard to discern.

When it comes to soaking, method is key, as anyone who’s spent half an hour begging and pleading a 1,200-lb. animal to keep its darn foot in the darn bucket can attest. In Wallace Eventing’s latest tutorial, Elisa walks us through her no-muss, no-fuss system. Elisa is methodical about everything and makes every interaction count, even the task of fetching a horse from its stall, as you’ll see in the opening bit of this video.

EN BONUS TUTORIAL! How to make stress about your horse’s abscess disappear: Draw up a warm bath after you get in from the barn, add two cups of epsom salts, pour a glass of wine (in a glass, not the tub), and hop in. Epsom salts have many health benefits, from promoting better digestion and sounder sleep to soothing sore muscles and drawing out swelling. #ProTip — Save the Kroger brand for your horse; after putting up with all his nasty foot crap, you’ve earned some Dr. Teal’s — Amazon Prime has a 9-lb. three-pack of the good doctor’s scented salts (lavender, eucalyptus & spearmint, rosemary & mint) for $26.95. Trust me, it will change your life. “Abscess … what abscess?”

Watch Indoor Eventing at the Sweden International Horse Show

By on Nov 29, 2018 9:00 am -

2017 Sweden International Horse Show Indoor Eventing winner Louise Svensson Jähde (SWE). Photo courtesy of Sweden International Horse Show.

‘Tis the season for indoor eventing! European eventers don’t have an Aiken or Ocala to retreat to in the winter months, so they have to make their own fun-in-the-not-sun. While we wait impatiently for this to become “a thing” here in the States, we can at least keep up with the action live from Europe thanks to growing live stream coverage.

The latest class we can watch from afar is Thursday’s Indoor Eventing at the Sweden International Horse Show, taking place Nov. 29-Dec. 2 in Stockholm. Sixteen riders representing four teams will face off over a fast-paced course. The roster:

Team United Kingdom
Ros Canter
Fiona Kashel
Alice Pearson
Georgie Strang

Team Germany 
Ingrid Klimke
Andreas Ostholt
Peter Thomsen
Jan Matthias

Team Sweden
Niklas Lindbäck
Anna Freskgård
Malin Josefsson
Hanna Berg

Team Australia / New Zealand
Lissa Green
Bill Levett
Lucy Jackson
Jesse Campbell

Ingrid Klimke and Parmenides at the Sweden International Horse Show in 2017. Photo courtesy of the Sweden International Horse Show.

That’s a star-studded field. EN’s pick for the one-to-beat: Ingrid Klimke with her mount Parmenides, who won the class here in 2015 and finished second in 2017. Ingrid and the 14-year-old Trakehner gelding (Sir Chamberlain x Praedestina, by Habicht), owned by his breeders Marion and Eric Gottschalk, are hot off an indoor derby win at Stuttgart German Masters just two weeks ago — watch a replay of their smoking-fast round here. “It’s such a well-designed course, great fun to ride,” Ingrid says of indoor eventing at Sweden International.

2014 winner Niklas Lindbäck will also be on the hunt for a repeat win.

The class takes place on Thursday, Nov. 27 from 14:30-16:30 local time (10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EST). Watch the live stream here. The price for the service is 89 SEK ($9.77 USD) per day or 259 SEK ($28.44 USD) for a full event pass. Worth it? There’s an Icelandic Horse World Cup on Friday, just putting that out there!

Sweden International Horse Show: Website, Schedule, Live Stream

In Memory of Joe Meyer’s Sanskrit

By on Nov 28, 2018 2:00 pm -

Joe Meyer and Sanskrit. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Our thoughts are with Joe Meyer and his team as they share the loss of Sanskrit, Joe’s 19-year-old New Zealand Thoroughbred with whom he competed at the three- and four-star levels.

Joe’s remembrance via Facebook:

It’s with great sadness that we are posting that we very suddenly and unexpectedly lost our Sanskrit (‘Camel’) this past weekend. He was a Mamaku homebred that competed on three continents with many great accomplishments at top level including clear rounds at Blenheim, Bramham, Aachen and a second place finish at Gatcombe in the British Open Championships in 2010. Cam was 5th after cross country at his first four-star attempt at Pau but sadly an injury there kept him from being able to compete at four-star again. He went on to win and place in many Advanced classes in the U.S. before being retired from upper level competition several years ago.

It has given us great comfort that during Cam’s last year of life he was truly and completely loved and spoiled by Lindsey Carrigan as he deserved. They had a great partnership in his semi retirement and a true bond with each other.

We will truly miss this kind, talented and gentle soul that gave so many great times to so many people.

Thank you for all the great memories and adventures Cam.

Truly, Camel enjoyed a full and happy life. Rest in peace, Cam.