Become an Eventing Nation BloggerWhere there are #EventerProblems there are #EventerSolutions, as we horsefolks tend to be a pretty crafty, resourceful and frugal (read: broke) bunch. In this spinoff series we spotlight some of your most inventive problem-solving masterpieces. Be sure to tag your photos with the hashtag #EventerSolutions on social for inclusion in future editions!
Desperate times call for desperate measures, folks. Here are a few more of your latest strategies for beating the system.
Go Eventing.
Equine facial expressions are an open book. Take, for instance, these photos of EN staffer Leslie Threlkeld’s horse Beau:
Yeah, no big mystery as to what is going on inside that horse’s brain. Destroying stuff = awesome. Watermelons = dumb.
What’s going on in these photos?
Go Eventing.
Donna Younkin: “We had an assortment of spectators at the Horse Park of New Jersey for H.T. II this past weekend. After days of unrelenting humidity and rain, this weekend saw great footing and weather. And, we topped it off with a fantastic competition and a much appreciated volunteer team.”
You know who really deserves a blue ribbon at horse trials? Each and every volunteer.
Which means that Erika Nesler, winner of the Open Training A division at the Horse Park of New Jersey, deserves two! Yesterday Erika shared a thoughtful, honest Facebook post about her weekend at the event, which had its highs and lows — a rollercoaster that all riders are familiar with, although we could all learn from Erika’s example of acceptance and grace. Somehow, though it all, she took the time to give back to her sport: “Today I ventured back to the Horse Park of New Jersey to volunteer and I always am humbled by all the volunteers that give so much to allow us riders to strive towards our goals. As I was sitting in the jump judge briefing I realized just how many people that know nothing about our sport but yet give their entire weekends to us.”
This is so important and something we should never take for granted. To all the volunteers out there: thank you, thank you, thank you! And we can all play a part — reach out to events in your area and keep an eye on the USEA Volunteer Incentive Program website for upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Shout-out to the lowest finishing score in the country this weekend, which was posted by Alston Kerr and Sir Earl Grey in the Novice Rider A division at Horse Park of New Jersey. They won on their dressage score of 22.6. Well done, you two!
And now, for your weekend winners!
Horse Park of New Jersey II CIC & H.T. (Allentown, New Jersey) [Website] [Results]
CIC Two Star: Caroline Martin & The Apprentice (35.4)
CIC One Star: Kristen Bond & Coffee and Donuts (32.4)
Open Intermediate: Nora Battig-Leamer & Dubai Storm (52.1)
Open Preliminary-A: Kelli Temple & Caleesi (23.0)
Open Preliminary-B: Emily Beshear & LVS Jackson (30.7)
Open Training-A: Erika Nesler & Bon Voyage DSF (25.7)
Open Training-B: Jane Jennings & Kontessa M (30.7)
Training Rider: Kelly Clark & Elusive (32.5)
Novice Rider-A: Alston Kerr & Sir Earl Grey (22.6)
Novice Rider-B: Dana Lortie & Springhill Midas Touch (33.3)
Open Novice: Hillary Moses & Save Magic (32.9)
Beginner Novice Rider: Clarissa Brown & Aristocrat (29.3)
Open Beginner Novice: Andrea Davidson & Goode Hope (23.3)
Hunt Club Farm H.T. (Berryville, Virginia) [Website] [Results]
Prelim/Training: Lauren Kieffer & Get Gaudi (28.3)
Open Training: Lauren Kieffer & Hindine (33.4)
Training Rider: Brooke Bayley & Unbroken (31.6)
Novice Rider: Brynn Hershbine & Cadenza Aria (31.2)
Open Novice: Kendyl Tracy & HSH Golden Boy (23.8)
Beginner Novice Rider: Alice Johnson & Piedmont Sun (26.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Nicole Ganow & All Attitude (25.0)
Intro: Jennifer Brown & Jersey (28.5)
USPC Eventing Championships East [Results]
Preliminary: Dylan Philipps & Fernhill Fierce (32.7)
Training: Delaney O’Neil & An Irish Blessing (34.9)
Novice A: Connor Poe & Sparrow’s Galway Bay (35.4)
Novice B: Miriam Bolyard & August Rush (31.0)
Beginner Novice A: Madison Davis & King Congo (28.0)
Beginner Novice B: Gabrielle Davis & Sorry Not Sorry (33.5)
New Vocations Challenge: Caitlin Deisler & Mach Seven (37.5)
Beginner Novice Team: Capital B.Novice (98.30
Novice Scores: Deep South/South Novice (116.60)
Preliminary: Carolina/South Preliminary Team (144.50)
New Vocation Challenge: NV Team 3 (145.80)
Training: Maryland Training Team (132.12)
Go Eventing!
Lauren Kieffer reflects on her cross country round at Badminton 2018 with Erik Duvander. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Exciting news! The USEA has announced that Erik Duvander will be the keynote speaker for the 2018 USEA Annual Meeting and Convention, December 5-9 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Erik was appointed to the role of U.S. Performance Director for Eventing in October of 2017 and we’re all excited to hear his reflections on his first year with the program and his thoughts for the future. The keynote address is always a highlight of the convention; recent speakers have included Boyd Martin in 2017 and William Fox-Pitt in 2016, both of whom brought the house down with their humor and insight.
In addition to Erik’s address, the convention will feature a packed four-day schedule of forums, lectures, award-givings and the Hall of Fame ceremony which will induct six eventing legends: Capt. Mark Phillips, Karen OâConnor, Nina and Tim Gardner, Marty Simensen, Howard Simpson, and Kerry Millikinâs Thoroughbred, Out and About. Learn more about this year’s inductees here.
The Sheraton New Orleans Hotel will play host to this year’s convention. We hear that rooms are filling fast, so be sure to book yours today — click here to make a reservation online or call the reservation line at (888) 627-7033. Visit the 2018 USEA Annual Meeting and Convention page for more info and updates. Hope to see you there!
[Announcing the Keynote Speaker for the 2018 USEA Annual Meeting: Erik Duvander]
In the sport of eventing there may be no more oft-quoted movie than Talladega Nights. There are just so many applications …
What you say to your horse the week before an event:
Your fit event horse during its dressage test:
When your coach tells you to ride more from your seat:
You and your horse in the cross country start box:
When you’re heading toward the coffin:
When your horse is still cracked out from cross country …
… and you have to get it together for show jumping:
Truly, Talladega Nights GETS eventing. So we love the caption on the first of this week’s reader-submitted #EventerProblems.
#NailedIt. Ricky Bobby would be proud. And now, for the rest of your assorted sordid situations:
Go Eventing.
Lisa Slade from The Chronicle of the Horse, Leslie Wylie from EN, and Kate Lokey from the USEA enjoying an impromptu facial in the media tent at Rebecca Farm. Photo by Ann Haller.
The Event at Rebecca Farm is one of my favorite competitions in North America to cover each year, but man, does that place fry my face off. All of us who spent last week in the dry Montana heat and sun were looking reptilian by the end, lips cracked like canyons and skin peeling off in flakes. The only one of us in the media center with her youthful, glowing visage still intact was Kate from the USEA, who was applying hydrating face masks a.m. and p.m. and ruthlessly moisturizing throughout the day. Well, and also Ann Haller, a timeless beauty who hasn’t aged a day since I’ve known her, so she does not count. No impromptu facial for you, Ann!
I was in a rush to pack and only managed to grab some crummy travel lotion, so I couldn’t wait to get home to my usual Diamonds In The Dirt skincare products. Now don’t get me wrong: I am hardly a princess when it comes to my everyday skincare routine. For most of my life, if I got it together enough to slather on some drugstore moisturizer (maybe with SPF) in the morning and (maybe) wash my face at night, I was doing pretty well. Even now, as a mid-30s woman who spends a lot of time outdoors and really should try harder, my version of a facial is caking my face with expensive sample product while going through airport duty-free on the way home from an event.
Diamond In The Dirt’s setup in the Amerigo booth at the 2018 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
But when I was introduced to a new beauty line called Diamonds In The Dirt at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event trade fair, I was intrigued. Diamonds in the Dirt was developed by sisters Sarah Donnell and Ruth Madeja, both lifelong equestrians. Their premise was simple and fresh, and specifically targeted toward horsewomen. “This skincare line is the result of our own journeys to find clean beauty options,” Sarah explains. “It all started with Nuzzle, our lip balm. We wanted a product free from chemicals, and with as few ingredients as possible. We felt there had to be a better option than what we found in stores and online.”
This resonated with me. I won’t even use chemical fly spray on my pony, so why would I subject my own skin to products with ingredient lists that read like a science experiment?
Photo courtesy of Diamonds In The Dirt.
Nuzzle, their “lip balm for weathered women,” is a prime example of the Diamonds In The Dirt mission statement. The ingredient list is totally organic: cocoa butter, virgin coconut oil, white beeswax, carrot seed essential oil, red raspberry CP oil, and sweet orange essential oil, and it goes on creamy-smooth with a barely-there citrus aroma. It’s even packaged sustainably, in a custom paperboard tube that is 100% compostable, including the label. It’s about twice the size of a typical lip balm tube — the more balm, the merrier — but still fits in your breeches pocket and is sturdy enough to not get crushed.
Photo courtesy of Diamonds In The Dirt.
Before I was introduced to Diamonds In The Dirt, like I said, my routine was pretty utilitarian: wash, slather random goop, sideways glance in the mirror, go. Now I actually look forward to slowing down and adding in a couple extra steps in there, because — wait for it — it actually feels luxurious! It smells good! It makes my skin look less like a saddle in desperate need of conditioner! Did I mention it smells good?
A little rose scent aromatherapy is an added bonus to using Wise Facial Toner, “for established women,” after cleansing. A fine-mist spritz of this pH-balanced toner on your face, neck and dĂŠcolletĂŠ feels sensual and refreshing. The formula contains aloe vera to soothe, rose hydrosol and hibiscus tincture to restore radiance and youthfulness, and C serum to provide antioxidants that counteract the affects of sun and wind, and leave your skin brighter and more protected.
Photo courtesy of Diamonds In The Dirt.
I follow that up with Abundant Facial Serum “for generous women,” a roller-ball application formula that protects your face all day from the elements without feeling oily or greasy. The scent is subtle but dreamy, its bouquet lifted from the organic ingredient list: essential oils of jojoba, rosehip seed, helichrysum, frankincense and geranium. I know that sounds oil heavy, but it’s really light on the skin — dirt and dust won’t cling to it — and it keeps your skin feeling smooth, hydrated and silky all day. I typically add a moisturizing sunscreen over the top of it … maybe Diamonds In The Dirt will add one to its product line next, please?
Photo courtesy of Diamonds In The Dirt.
I haven’t tried the exfoliating Naked Body Scrub “for sound women,” yet, but I can testify to the glory of Savvy Muscle Creme “for rusty equestrians,” which is Diamonds In Dirt’s #1 best seller.
I ride, I run, I bike, I play soccer, I work out, I sit at my desk for long stretches, I get sore. And when I get sore, I reach for this rich cream, which contains OptiMSMŽ to ease tired muscles and joints. It also targets dry skin with soothing organic aloe, organic coconut oil, deep penetrating arnica and chamomile, warming black pepper and cinnamon oils, and cooling eucalyptus, peppermint and spearmint oils. I feel more relaxed just typing these words. And, like all Diamonds In The Dirt products, it is delivered in the most earth-friendly vessel possible, in this case a recyclable airless bottle.
“Small-batch, hand-crafted skin care with a focus on organic ingredients, simple formulas, and earth-friendly packaging.” It’s a beautiful mission, and one we’re happy to support. We eventers are so quick to take the very best care of our horses, and Diamonds In The Dirt makes it easier to take care of ourselves as well.
Shop the Diamonds In The Dirt product line here, and keep an eye on their Facebook page for all the latest! You can also shop the line via World Equestrian brands here.
Go Eventing.
“I get knocked down, but I get up again, you’re never gonna keep me down.” — Chumbawamba’s timeless classic, Tubthumping.
Let’s hear it for all of you out there in the great Eventing Nation who just won’t be kept down. Stand up, brush the dirt off your britches, pick the gravel out from your teeth, and be counted! #EventerFailFriday
Go Eventing.
Lots afoot in the Eventing Nation this past weekend! Rebecca Farm blew everyone’s minds as usual, Fitch’s Corner celebrated its 25th anniversary, Penny Oaks celebrated its 20th, riders had fun in the sun at Full Moon Farm’s annual “aloha” summer event, and Silverwood Farm looked like a blast.
Congrats to Marcia Kulak and Gran Torino, who posted the lowest finishing score in the country of the weekend — an 18.8 in Open Novice at Fitch’s Corner.
Marcia Kulak & Gran Torino at Fitch’s Corner. Photo by Joan Davis / Flatlandsfoto.
And now, your weekend winners!
The Event at Rebecca Farm C.I.C., 3DE, & H.T. [Results]
CCI3*: Frankie Thieriot Stutes & Chatwin (32.1)
CCI2*: Heather Morris & Charlie Tango (32.1)
CCI1*: Megan Sykes & Classic’s Mojah (24.2)
CIC3*: Tamra Smith & Fleeceworks Royal (39.4)
Open Intermediate: Erin Kellerhouse & Woodford Reserve (35.6)
Jr. Preliminary: Jordan Crabo & Over Easy (33.1)
Open Preliminary A: Adele Wong & Raffetouille (30.2)
Open Preliminary B: Bella Mowbray & Vif d’or (34.2)
Jr. Open Training A: Eva Jacroux & Rubel (36.1)
Jr. Open Training B: Makenna Henry & Hungarian Villian (31.5)
Sr. Open Training A: Ruth Bley & Spartacus D’L’Herbage (24.8)
Sr. Open Training B: Karen Lounsbery & Stewart (30.4)
Sr. Open Training C: Erin Grandia & Indio BMW (24.6)
Sr. Open Training D: McKenzie Rollins & Excel Star Lord (28.2)
Training Three-Day A: Cecily Bonadio & Just Off Broadway (35.4)
Training Three-Day B: Heather Morris & Von Zipper (27.8)
Jr. Open Novice A: Madison Boesch & Seamless (28.6)
Jr. Open Novice B: Dane Padgett & Little Sure Shot (25.5)
Sr. Open Novice A: Lindsay Wagner & This Lad is Gold (32.6)
Sr. Open Novice B: Erin Contino & Handsome Ransom (26.4)
Sr. Open Novice C: Tracy Stein & Apollo (32.3)
Sr. Open Novice D: Michele Pestl & Cassian TH (27.1)
Novice Three-Day A: Jeanne Carley & Shannondale Fionn (32.3)
Novice Three-Day B: Samantha Hollow-Bist & Scout (30.2)
CCI1* Team: Team Duval
Intermediate Team: iThoroughbred
Prelim Team: Trinity Excell
Training Team: Full Gallop
T3D Team: The Shady Ladies
Novice Team: Trinity Excell
N3D Team: Lodestar Plus One
NAYC @ Rebecca Farms [Results]
CCIJ1*: McKinsey Wickman & Dassett Profile (28.6)
CICOY2*: Alexandra Baugh & Ballingowan Pizazz (30.8)
CCIJ1* Team: Area V
CICOY2*: Area II
Fitchâs Corner H.T. [Results]
Preliminary Jr/YR: Natasha Erschen & Fernhill Flutter (35.0)
Open Prelim: Sara Kozumplik Murphy & Rubens D’Ysieux (26.3)
Prelim Rider: Nikki Negrea & Liberty (44.3)
Open Training: Meghan O’Donoghue & Galway Bay Cooley (31.0)
Training Jr/YR: Isabel Finemore & Rutherglen (32.3)
Training Horse: Michael Pendleton & Wabanaki (27.6)
Training Rider-A: Barbara Cassani & King’s Mustard (30.5)
Training Rider-B: Lakiesha Varney & Kolor Me Gone (35.7)
Novice Jr/YR-A: Cassie Sanger & Ultra Violet (30.5)
Novice Jr/YR-B: LuLu Moore & Ace in Hand (31.4)
Novice Horse: Ferial Johnson & Good Harbour (23.3)
Amateur Novice Master Challenge: Nancy Read & Caribe PCH (24.8)
Novice Rider-A: Christa Schmidt & Carlingford’s Bouncer (27.4)
Novice Rider-B: Christa Schmidt & RF Overdressed (28.1)
Open Novice: Marcia Kulak & Gran Torino (18.8)
Beginner Novice Rider: Tara Astacio & Money to Burn (24.2)
Beginner Novice Jr/YR: Fiona Lorenzen & Claidheamhmor (36.1)
Open Beginner Novice: Marcia Kulak & Tough Love (25.4)
Many thanks to Joan Davis and Flatlandsfoto for sharing these winner pics.
Full Moon Farm H.T. [Results]
Prelim/Training: Kelsey Ann Quinn & Dandy Longlegs (32.4)
Open Training: Domenique Carson & FCF Midnight Encounter (30.5)
Training Horse: Aurelie Vilmer & Chakra De La Nee (32.1)
Training Rider-A: Holly Covey & Tully Cross Hamish (32.1)
Training Rider-B: Maggie Buchanan & 3 2 1 Blast Off (36.7)
Novice Horse: Courtney Cooper & Excel Star Armina Z (31.0)
Novice Rider-A: Natalie Tedeschi & Jitter Bug (27.9)
Novice Rider-B: Campbell Jones & Sophie (26.2)
Open Novice: Courtney Cooper & Excel Star Good Job (29.5)
Beginner Novice Horse: Suzannah Cornue & Fashionable Man (31.9)
Beginner Novice Rider-A: Sara Druffner & All That Jazz (34.7)
Beginner Novice Rider-B: Riley Deiboldt Narcos (36.8)
Intro Rider-A: Kayley Hildebrand & Admiralty (32.3)
Intro Rider-B: Aylah Dhruv & Coleraine (32.5)
Starter Rider: Alexa Kosofsky & Synoptic (35.6)
Intro Horse: Hannah Ong & Pirate Captain (34.0)
Thumper ( fashionable man ) was a good boy today winning his BNH division at Full Moon Farm HT with a 31.9 đ
Posted by Natalie Hollis on Sunday, July 22, 2018
Silverwood Farm Summer H.T. [Results]
Open Training: Danielle Vitosh & Visable Force (31.0)
Training: Kirsten Hiles & Wisencrazi (32.6)
Open Novice-A: Fran Latane-Lukehart & L’istesso Tempo (31.4)
Open Novice-B: Kailey Giancola & Saturday Night Clive (28.2)
Open Beginner Novice-A: Kailey DeMeyer & Piaffe Car (24.7)
Open Beginner Novice-B: Jill Wellman & Tailormade (33.2)
Open Beginner Novice-C: Gabrielle Ortiz & The Chief (27.7)
Open Beginner Novice-A: Margo Smith & Shaken Not Stirred (31.2)
Open Beginner Novice-B: Maesa Barker & A Lucky Chance (32.9)
Penny Oaks H.T. [Results]
Intermediate Prelim: Michelle Koppin & King Bust (48.3)
Prelim: Olivia Hahn & Fernhill Rodger That (38.4)
Training: Rachel Miles & Zane (35.2)
Training Rider: William Barclay & Stormn Hudson KD (35.4)
Junior Novice Rider: Emily Hollon & The Perfect Storm MK (32.4)
Novice Rider-A: Vanessa Coleman & Arcturus (31.4)
Novice Rider-B: Melanie Helms & R Pair A Dice (28.5)
Open Novice: Madeline Bletzacker & Drummer Boy (23.1)
Beginner Novice Rider-A: Cathy Norman & Encore (32.4)
Beginner Novice Rider-B: Sophie Coorssen & Vendi (36.8)
Open Beginner Novice: Sara R. Irvine & Sir Galahad (31.1)
Starter: Tera Gehrig & Max (27.8)
Go Eventing.
Lots of pink ribbons were on display throughout the weekend to promote breast cancer awareness and Rebecca Farm’s Halt Cancer At X initiative. And yes, that bum belongs to Sandro’s Star. Photo by his paparazzi stalker Leslie Wylie.
That’s a wrap for the 2018 Event at Rebecca Farm! Journeys home will be long for many, but here’s wishing everyone a safe, swift passage.
In addition to winning the CCI3* with Chatwin, woman-of-many-talents Frankie Thieriot Stutes spent her weekend running around conducting interviews for Ride On Video‘s daily highlight videos. Watch the one for Sunday!
Here’s a roundup of EN’s coverage throughout the week:
Wednesday
Rebecca Farm Social Media Roundup: Work The Jog Strip!
All Systems Go at NAYC/Rebecca Farm First Horse Inspection
Rebecca Farm Course Walk with Ian Stark
Take Part in Something Great: BYOWB at Rebecca Farm
Thursday
By the Numbers: Rebecca Farm CCI3*
Watch: Rebecca Farm Thursday Highlights + Leading NAYC CICOY2* Dressage Test
Star-Studded Area II Team Shines Bright in NAYC CICOY2*
Eventing Community Honors the Memory of Kate Gillespie at Rebecca Farm & Beyond
Friday
Represent! Defending 1* Gold Medalist Tosca Holmes-Smith Is Sole Canadian Eventer at NAYC
Area II Tops NAYC CCIJ1* Dressage & First Leg of Rebecca Farm Chinch Challenge
Wonderwomen Dominate Rebecca Farm CCI3* Dressage, Led by Frankie Thieriot-Stutes
Rebecca Farm CIC3* Dressage Leader Sandroâs Star Is the Totilas of Eventing
Rebecca Farm Social Media Roundup: All Systems Go!
Saturday
Watch: Rebecca Farm Friday Highlights + Saturday Cross Country At-a-Glance
Rebecca Farm Saturday Social Media Roundup: Ride It Like You Stole It
Frankie Thieriot Stutes Finds a Higher Gear on Rebecca Farm CCI3* Cross Country
NAYC CCIJ1* Leaders Have Zero Budge Room Heading into Show Jumping
Tamie Smith and Fleeceworks Royal Leap to Rebecca Farm CIC3* Lead
Area II, Alexandra Baugh Still Out Front After NAYC CICOY2* Cross Country
Sunday
Sunny Skies for Sunday Horse Inspection at Rebecca Farm
Rebecca Farm Sunday Social Media Roundup: Bye Rebecca!
Smells Like Team Spirit: Next Level Eventing’s Winning Rebecca Farm Sweep
Area II Secures Team Gold in ‘Pillar to Post’ NAYC CICOY2* Win
Gold Bling Looks Good on NAYC CCIJ1* Team Champion Area V
Mr. Medicott Officially Retired in Emotional Ceremony at Rebecca Farm
Watch: Rebecca Farm Sunday Highlights + Coverage Recap
Before we sign off to hop a plane for home, here’s one final shameless look at my stallion crush, Sandro’s Star, who finished 3rd in the CIC3* with Chris Talley. What a star! Many thanks to his team for not taking a restraining order out on me.
Sandro’s Star and Chris Talley. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
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 (use code NAYCE18 for a free fan membership), ENâs Coverage
CCI2* winner Heather Morris, CCI3* winner Frankie Thieriot Stutes and CIC3* winner Tamie Smith. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
We witnessed teamwork in many forms this week at Rebecca Farm. Some of it was obvious to the eye — all things NAYC Area II, for instance.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
But sometimes it’s more subtle, AKA the behind-the-scenes, takes-a-village effort that goes into every successful horse-rider combination. Coaches, vets, owners, family, friends, farriers … nobody gets to an event like Rebecca Farm alone.
Next Level Eventing is a program based in Temecula, California, that has not only embraced the concept of teamwork, but built a program with teamwork as its centerpiece. At its core are best friends Tamie Smith and Heather Morris, who realized that life was better when they had one another’s backs and took good care of the people around them. And it’s clear that their commitment to camaraderie extends not just to people but to their horses as well.
Teamwork works, and Next Level’s winning sweep this week at Rebecca Farm is proof of that. From Next Level: Tamie Smith won the CIC3* for the second year running with Fleeceworks Royal; Heather Morris won the CCI2,* again, with Charlie Tango; Frankie Thieriot Stutes won the CCI3* on Chatwin; and Megan Sykes won the CCI1* on Classic’s Mojah.
Tamie Smith and Fleeceworks Royal. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
The best riders are perfectionists who always fixate on that one thing they could have done differently, and when Tamie showed up at the press conference after her winning round she was still kicking herself about a second-late decision on the approach to the final fence that cost them a long spot and four-faults.
Tamie and “Rory” have picked up some time here and there, so Tamie always has a nose for the inside line and Rebecca Farm was no different. “Right before I went in Heather said, ‘You can do the six there on the last line,’ and I was like, ‘Really? Should I do the six?’ And she kind of gave me the shrug she gives me.
“We jumped the last combination and I waited too long to do the six, and luckily she is wonderful to me, but that rail was all my rail times 100 percent. But she was super, I couldn’t have asked her to be better, she jumped out of her skin like she always does. She was super rideable and it’s been really fun developing her.”
Blue is clearly your color, Rory! We look forward to seeing Tamie and Rory this fall, at Fair Hill or a CCI3* abroad, perhaps?
Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
When Frankie showed up to the press conference, she still had a look of vague disbelief on her face: “God, I just can’t believe it.”
Frankie is tough on herself, also; a troublesome show jumping round earlier this year at Woodside Advanced had her rattled, although it sounds like an uncharacteristic glitch — brain farts happen, Frankie!
“I was just really disappointed,” Frankie says. “I just hold us to our standard, the best we can be, and this year my whole goal has been to be better in the show jumping. I’ve been dragging him to every jumper show I can and having Tamie help me every step of the way, and I called Tamie after Woodside, I was just so bummed out. Because it didn’t matter that we didn’t win, it was just a matter of I felt like it was one of our worst rounds when we’d been working so hard. I called her and said, ‘What am I even doing? What is the point?’ And Tamie said, ‘Your hard work is going to pay off, and you just have to trust that.'”
It paid off this week at Rebecca, in the form of a wire-to-wire win by way of a four fault show jumping round: “I tried to kill him at the Swedish, but luckily he is a survivor,” Frankie laughs.
Clearly, Tamie is always right, and Heather is always right, too. Right?
Tamie turns to Heather: “You told me to do the six.”
Heather: “You’re right, but I didn’t tell you to do it THAT way.”
Tamie: “It’s Heather’s fault.”
Heather: “No it’s not.”
Tamie: “My brain doesn’t work as fast as yours.”
Heather: “Clearly.”
Never change, Next Level. Go Eventing.
Rebecca Farm CCI3* Final Results:
Rebecca Farm CIC3* Final Results:
Rebecca Farm CCI2* Top 10:
Rebecca Farm CCI1* Top 10:
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 (use code NAYCE18 for a free fan membership), ENâs Coverage
The 2018 NAYC CICOY2* podium: gold medalists Area II, silver medalists Area I, IV & VIII, and bronze medalists Area VI. Congrats to all! Photo by Leslie Wylie.
How to win the Adequan/FEI North American Youth Championships, or any competition, for that matter, 100% success rate guaranteed: Take the early lead and never let it go.
It’s a no-fail strategy, and it worked like a charm for Area II here at Rebecca Farm. The team —  Tayler Stewart with Ideal Contini, Alexa Lapp with Cambalda, Ryan Keefe with Flintstar, and Olivia Dutton with Mr. Medicott — led from “pillar to post,” to borrow a turn of phrase from announcer John Kyle, taking the early dressage lead and pulling further ahead with each subsequent phase.
Alexandra Baugh and Ballingowan Pizazz employed the same strategy to win individual gold, finishing on their dressage score of 30.8. The pair was on the silver medal winning Area I, IV & VIII mix team. Alexandra also finished 6th on her second mount, Mr. Candyman.
Heading into show jumping with nothing to lose but a gold medal is a hot seat to be sitting in, for sure, but Alexandra says she leaned into the strength of her relationship with “Mango.”
“Mango is my strongest jumper, he’s taught me so much, and over the last three years I feel like we’ve grown so much together,” she says. “We’re finally getting a partnership where we rely on each other and know what each other is thinking. So I think going in was a bit more peaceful than stressful.”
Alexandra Baugh and Ballingowan Pizazz, NAYC CICOY2* individual gold. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Tayler Stewart & Ideal Contini, NAYC CICOY2* individual silver. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Alexa Lapp & Cambalda, NAYC CICOY2* individual bronze. Cambalda was also awarded the “Horsepower Award,” an honor given to the horse that best embodies the spirit of the Young Rider experience. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Ryan Keefe and Flintstar, NAYC CICOY2* 4th place. Flintstar, age 18, was also given the “Best Conditioned” award. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
The Area II team is close-knit crew, and you get the feeling that this championship experience has bonded them together for life. Try not to cry while watching their emotional team press conference, in which they talk camaraderie, equine best friends and dreams that really do come true:
Tissues, please. Go Area II. Go Eventing.
NAYC CICOY2* Final Team Top Three:
NAYC CICOY2* Final Individual Top 10:
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 (use code NAYCE18 for a free fan membership), ENâs Coverage
Introducing your 2018 CCIJ1* gold medal team, Area V! Photo by Leslie Wylie.
There was a single rail between the top three teams heading into CCIJ1* show jumping today here at the Adequan/FEI North American Youth Championships. Podium real estate was at a premium and up for grabs, but it was Area V that came up from behind to claim the top spot.
One by one, each of Area V’s three riders —Â McKinsey Wickman with Dassett Profile, Georgia Dillard with Galileo Wp, Georgia Phillips with Menue Rendevous — cantered into the ring and turned in a clear round inside the time. Other teams’ rails proved costly, and by the end of the division Area V had risen from bronze medal position to gold.
The team’s anchor rider was McKinsey, who was the overnight leader heading in. That position comes with a lot of pressure, but Area V coach Will Faudree had some words of advice for her heading into the ring: “He told me to put those thoughts that all of us as riders have into a bubble and let them float away.”
If McKinsey was nervous, she didn’t let it show, delivering a smooth double-clear round on her rangy bay 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding to clinch individual and team gold. “I’m over the moon ecstatic with my horse,” she says. “All weekend he’s been a star.”
McKinsey Wickman & Dassett Profile, CCIJ1* individual gold. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Haley Carspecken & Center Stage, CCIJ1* individual silver. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Georgia Dillard & Galileo Wp, CCIJ1* individual bronze. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Will had nothing but praise for his team’s composure in a pressure-filled situation: “They all three just rode super today. To see these girls go in and ride exactly how we walked it at their age is really exciting.”
If anyone was struggling with nerves, Will admits, it was himself. “I basically jumped three show jumping rounds myself today!,” he laughs.
They discussed their rounds and the NAYC team experience in the post-show jumping press conference:
Well-done to all our 2018 NAYC CCIJ1* finishers!
NAYC CCIJ1* Final Top Three Team:
NAYC CCIJ1* Final Top 10 Individual:Â
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 (use code NAYCE18 for a free fan membership), ENâs Coverage
NAYC CICOY2* competitor Lisa Takada and Wishbone. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Another stunning day has dawned here at Rebecca Farm, where final horse inspections for the FEI divisions have just wrapped up.
First up were the Adequan/FEI North American Youth Championships competitors, all looking flash in their matching team outfits. Forty-one of 42 horses presented will continue on to the show jumping finale.
Four horses in the CCIJ1*, Kaala Jaadu, Xyder, Mr. Bojangles and overnight individual leader Dassett Profile, were sent to the hold box. All but Brianna Maroneyâs Kaala Jaadu were accepted upon second presentation. In the CICOY2*, Mr. Candyman was sent to the hold but accepted upon re-inspection.
Arenât the mountains in these photos so pretty that they look kind of fake, like the backdrop of a movie set or something? Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
All horses passed the CIC3*, including our overnight leaders Tamie Smith and Fleeceworks Royal, and the CCI3*, including overnight leaders Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin. Hawley Bennett and Jollybo were held but passed upon re-inspection.
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 (use code NAYCE18 for a free fan membership), ENâs Coverage
Emilee Libby and Jakobi. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Welcome to show jumping Sunday here at Rebecca Farm! It’s been an exciting week and we are all looking forward to today’s grand finale.
But first, let’s rewind to a Saturday with this Ride On Video recap:
Rebecca Farm DAY 4 HIGHLIGHTS July 2018
Hereâs a roundup of our coverage so far:
Wednesday
Rebecca Farm Social Media Roundup: Work The Jog Strip!
All Systems Go at NAYC/Rebecca Farm First Horse Inspection
Rebecca Farm Course Walk with Ian Stark
Take Part in Something Great: BYOWB at Rebecca Farm
Thursday
By the Numbers: Rebecca Farm CCI3*
Watch: Rebecca Farm Thursday Highlights + Leading NAYC CICOY2* Dressage Test
Star-Studded Area II Team Shines Bright in NAYC CICOY2*
Eventing Community Honors the Memory of Kate Gillespie at Rebecca Farm & Beyond
Friday
Represent! Defending 1* Gold Medalist Tosca Holmes-Smith Is Sole Canadian Eventer at NAYC
Area II Tops NAYC CCIJ1* Dressage & First Leg of Rebecca Farm Chinch Challenge
Wonderwomen Dominate Rebecca Farm CCI3* Dressage, Led by Frankie Thieriot-Stutes
Rebecca Farm CIC3* Dressage Leader Sandroâs Star Is the Totilas of Eventing
Rebecca Farm Social Media Roundup: All Systems Go!
Saturday
Watch: Rebecca Farm Friday Highlights + Saturday Cross Country At-a-Glance
Rebecca Farm Saturday Social Media Roundup: Ride It Like You Stole It
Frankie Thieriot Stutes Finds a Higher Gear on Rebecca Farm CCI3* Cross Country
NAYC CCIJ1* Leaders Have Zero Budge Room Heading into Show Jumping
Tamie Smith and Fleeceworks Royal Leap to Rebecca Farm CIC3* Lead
Area II, Alexandra Baugh Still Out Front After NAYC CICOY2* Cross Country
On to show jumping! Photo by Leslie Wylie.
I’ll update this after the horse inspection if anything changes, but as of now here is the schedule for the day MT (+2 hours for EST).
ARENA 1
Flag ceremony: 9:30 a.m.
CCIJ1*: 9:45-10:30 a.m.
CICOY2*: 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
CCI2*: 1:15-2 p.m.
CIC3*: 2:40-3:05 p.m.
CCI3*: 3:40-4:05 p.m.
ARENA 3
CCI1* 11:30 a.m.-1:45 p.m.
Our show jumping course designer is Chris Barnard and assistant course designer is William Robertson. Looking forward to getting out there to see it — just like everything else here at Rebecca Farm, the show jumping ring here is always a work of art. Jogs underway, full report on that soon!
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 (use code NAYCE18 for a free fan membership), ENâs Coverage
Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Frankie Thieriot Stutes’ last thought before she left the start box today was, “This one’s for Kate.” Kate as in Kate Gillespie, an eventer whose teflon spirit fought for years to compensate for a body besieged by chronic pain, only to be overcome earlier this summer.
Rebecca Farm was Kate’s favorite event — she won the CCI2* here 10 years ago and tackled the CIC3* the following year — and her memory has been heavy on the hearts of the eventing community this week. Some riders have donned South African ribbons, a nod to Kate’s home country, and an effort is underway to fundraise for a jump in Kate’s honor at Shepherd Ranch.
“I just wanted to go out and kind of kick on for her a bit knowing that it was what she really wanted to do,” Frankie says. “That was special.”
Kick on she did, although Chatwin needed little encouragement. The pair picked up only 1.2 time penalties around the CCI3* course and looked super the whole way around. “He’s a magician cross country,” Frankie says. “It’s unreal. When you stand up to gallop him, it’s like nothing Iâve ever encountered, and my old Advanced horse was SOÂ fast. He just has this gear box that I canât even explain.”
Frankie has a big team of family and friends here this weekend, including her two young children. One of her sons, Drake, was even helping out in the vet box.
“I think when you become a mom, it puts things in perspective, good and bad,” she says. “You can have the greatest day ever, but itâs even better to have your kids in the box, and they can see how excited you are and see youâre safe. Itâs put a lot into perspective for me. If it goes great thatâs awesome, and if it doesnât, there are things that matter a lot more than one ride. Iâve been trying to take in the moments this week and have a great time.”
Caroline Martin and Islandwood Captain Jack. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Caroline Martin and Islandwood Captain Jack cooked around the course to move from a tie for 4th after dressage into 2nd place. Their journey here wasn’t paved with a perfect preparation, but Caroline says she’s glad they made the trip.
âHis last show was Great Meadow, and he had the Monday after that off, Tuesday he went hacking, and Wednesday he did a little canter set and then left,” she says. “Itâs not the most normal way of getting to a show, but itâs good practice for him especially since heâs a 9-year-old. Hopefully heâll be a horse who will head to Europe and do some competitions there, so I thought this would be good for his education.â
Rebecca Farm CCI3* Cross Country Results:Â
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Tamie Smith and Fleeceworks Royal. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Rebecca Farm’s three-star hanging brush is the stuff of nightmares. By all appearances, on the approach, it looks like you’re about to catapult off a cliff into space. And then, once you’re hopefully safely reconnected with planet earth on the other side, you’ve got to get your act together in time to negotiate a corner<trakehner combination through the water at the bottom of the hill.
Tamie Smith has successfully made the leap a time or two or 10 over the years, but Fleeceworks Royal gave her a little thrill there today — the mare had zero intention of brushing through any brush.
“I actually got unseated,” Tamie Smith says. “I was shocked. I was like ‘whoa!’ She jumped it huge … I probably lost a few seconds at that ditch and brush.”
Somebody please make this into a postcard. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
If the pair lost time there they made up for it elsewhere on course, picking up just 4.4 time penalties, good enough to put the pair in the lead. They actually improved upon their time from last year, when they collected 10.4 time on their way to the Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3* win.
“I’m not certain if anybody has been able to make the time,” she says of the CIC3* track. “I’ve been around it with multiple different horses and it’s just really hard to make the time because of the twisty, turn-y stuff.”
Tamie says that she couldn’t have gone faster, nor could she be more pleased with the mare. “She was super. She’s young and a little bit full of herself, and it’s been a struggle since she was three to get her to respect the jumps, but this year really turned a corner. I’ve been working on my cross country riding with Phillip [Dutton] and trying not to pull on the reins, and it’s really paid off because she was brilliant.”
Buh-bye, Hawley! Hawley Bennett-Award and Jollybo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo came closest to optimum time, collecting just 3.2 time penalties to move from 6th into 2nd. An excellent performance today, Hawley says, was imperative with WEG team selection coming up.
“I had to jump around clean and fast to prove that Jolly and I are still good to go, and she couldn’t have put a foot wrong,” she says. “It couldn’t have been any better. I think honestly it was one of the best rides I’ve ever had on her.”
Course designer Ian Stark told us that the most difficult question on the course this year was the coffin, which he described as a three-star-plus question. But Jolly made short work of it: “She came around the corner, her ears locked onto it, and it was like a little grid exercise,” Hawley says.
She didn’t try to make the time in the first few minutes because she felt like the footing was a little hard, but Jolly is a naturally fast horse, and when Hawley did step on the gas late in the course the mare had plenty of gas in the tank. “It was just effortless for her,” Hawley says. “For her to come in feeling that good at the finish, I’m really proud, really excited. She finished like King Kong and that’s the best feeling in the world.”
Chris Talley and Sandro’s Star. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Have you ever been laying on your back in the grass on a balmy summer night, staring up at the midnight sky, wondering what’s up there and what is the meaning of it all and where do we fit into the grand mysteries of the cosmos? And then, out of nowhere, a comet streaks across the horizon, and you’re just like OMG I CAN’T EVEN?
That’s what it was like to watch Chris Talley and the majestic black stallion Sandro’s Star today — a perfect, beautiful shooting star across the cross country sky. Sandro was perfect around today’s course, obviously, picking up 11.6 time penalties but why not, how often do you make it out to spectacular Montana, why not take a little time to enjoy yourself?
The time penalties dropped them to third, but get Sandro a couple midnight sessions at the track with Henry Dailey and he’ll be winning match races at Santa Anita in no time, just like Alec and the Black. I believe in dreams, Sandro. And I believe in you.
Rebecca Farm CIC3* Cross Country Results:Â
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 (use code NAYCE18 for a free fan membership), ENâs Coverage
McKinsey Wickman and Dassett Profile (Area V) clung fast to their NAYC CCIJ1* individual lead, adding nothing to their dressage score of 28.6. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Area II still has custody of Chinch Ă la the NAYC CCIJ1* Chinch Challenge, but woof, it is close. After today’s cross country competition, Area II and the mixed team of Area IV/VII are separated by just nine-tenths of a point. That is not a rail, you guys! That is a splinter!
The Area II squad: Haley Carspecken and Center Stage (2nd, 29.0), Olivia Wall and Mandolin R (5th-T, 34.5), Katherine Christopher and Frodo of The Shire (9th, 37.7), and Maia Kantorowski and Kiltubrid Rebel (15th-tie, 42.7).
Meanwhile, dressage leader McKensey Wickman is still sitting tight atop the individual leaderboard, having delivered a clear round inside the time today with Dassett Profile.
The top three riders — Haley Carspecken is 2nd and Harper Click is 3rd — are practically piled on top of one another, the scores are that close. But it sounds like nobody is going to give up their lead easily, which should make for an edge-of-the-seat show jumping finale tomorrow.  “I’m feeling great,” McKensey says. “Today has been superb and I’m really happy, but tomorrow is a new day so we’ll see how it goes.”
Haley Carspecken and Center Stage (Area II) are 2nd on a 29.0. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Harper Click and Rubia (Area IV & VII) are 3rd on a 29.7. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Georgia Dillard and Galileo Wp (Area V) moved up from 8th to 4th on a 33.1. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
As with the CICOY2* division earlier today, we saw lots of great cross country riding from the CCIJ1* bunch. Out of 25 starters, there were 10 double-clear rounds and five more with under five time penalties. There were a handful of stops and run-outs scattered throughout the course, but every last rider that left the start box rallied to bring it home safe and sound.
We’ll let them tell you all about their cross country day!
Go Eventing.
NAYC CCIJ1* Team Standings After Cross Country:Â
NAYC CCIJ1* Top 10 Individual After Cross Country:
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 (use code NAYCE18 for a free fan membership), ENâs Coverage
Alexandra Baugh and Ballingowan Pizazz, representing the Area I, IV and VIII mix team, lead NAYC CICOY2* after cross country, having added nothing to their dressage score of 30.8. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
The Adequan/FEI NAYC is a pipeline for top young eventing talent, and the future of U.S. eventing looked as bright as the big, blue Montana sky watching this morning’s CICOY2* cross country here at Rebecca Farm.
We saw some fantastic displays of bold and determined yet tactful riding out there. Eleven out of 19 starters came home clear and under the time; four more had under 10 time faults; three picked up 20; and there was just one pair that didn’t get around. After cross country team standings and the individual top three remain unchanged from Thursday dressage, with Area II as our team and Alexandra Baugh as our individual leaders.
Area II looked dynamite all around, horses and riders alike having a blast around Ian Stark’s big, galloping course. It was tremendous fun to watch four-star veterans we’ve seen compete on the biggest stages in the world — Kentucky, Badminton, Burghley, the Olympics and WEG — tackle the CIC2* track. Rather than realizing that the jumps are smaller, one imagines Mr. Medicott and Flintstar assuming that they’re just getting better and better with age.
Area II’s Tayler Stewart and Ideal Contini are 2nd on a 31.2. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Area II’s Alexa Lapp and Cambalda are 3rd on a 32.6. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Ryan Keefe and Flintstar are 4th 35.4. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Which, perhaps, in some ways they are! One of the most touching moments of the morning was when Mr. Medicott caught his left hoof jumping into the second water, nearly catapulting the tiny wisp of a girl that is Olivia Dutton out of the tack. As she fought tooth and nail to right herself on the landing, “Cave” gingerly circled as if to say, “Hang on, kid!”
And she did: “I was like, ‘I’m not going down! I’m not going down!,” Olivia laughs. “So we did a circle and he doesn’t know we had a runout.”
And then off again they went to finish the course, with 20 penalties and a fan club in tow. The pair endeared themselves to us all — Olivia with her tenacity, and Cave with his tenderness.
“I’m very happy with him still and I love him so much and he saved me,” Olivia says.
Area II’s Olivia Dutton and Mr. Medicott. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Isn’t that what it’s all about? So wonderful to see young riders regarding their mounts with such affection, and honoring them not just as partners but respecting them as teachers as well. We’ll let Alexandra and the Area II squad tell you in their own words what it was like to view this morning’s course between the ears of some truly special horses.
Much more to come. Go Eventing!
NAYC CICOY2* Team Standings After Cross Country:Â
NAYC CICOY2* Top 10 Individual After Cross Country:
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 (use code NAYCE18 for a free fan membership), ENâs Coverage
Welcome to run-and-jump day here at Rebecca Farm! It’s a breathtaking morning — azure blue skies and a cool crispness in the air that makes a cup of coffee feel just right in your hand. Before we head out on course, let’s take one last look at yesterday’s dressage action via this Ride on Video recap:
Been a long workweek and you’re just tuning in? You’re just in time! Here’s a roundup of our coverage so far:
Wednesday
Rebecca Farm Social Media Roundup: Work The Jog Strip!
All Systems Go at NAYC/Rebecca Farm First Horse Inspection
Rebecca Farm Course Walk with Ian Stark
Take Part in Something Great: BYOWB at Rebecca Farm
Thursday
By the Numbers: Rebecca Farm CCI3*
Watch: Rebecca Farm Thursday Highlights + Leading NAYC CICOY2* Dressage Test
Star-Studded Area II Team Shines Bright in NAYC CICOY2*
Eventing Community Honors the Memory of Kate Gillespie at Rebecca Farm & Beyond
Friday
Represent! Defending 1* Gold Medalist Tosca Holmes-Smith Is Sole Canadian Eventer at NAYC
Area II Tops NAYC CCIJ1* Dressage & First Leg of Rebecca Farm Chinch Challenge
Wonderwomen Dominate Rebecca Farm CCI3* Dressage, Led by Frankie Thieriot-Stutes
Rebecca Farm CIC3* Dressage Leader Sandroâs Star Is the Totilas of Eventing
Rebecca Farm Social Media Roundup: All Systems Go!
CICOY2* kicks of Saturday at 8:30 a.m. local time (+2 hours for EST). The day’s schedule in Mountain Standard Time — see live stream links below:
CICY2*: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
CCI2*: 9:55-11:15 a.m.
CCI3*: 11:28 a.m.-12:05 p.m.
CIC3*: 12:12-12:55 p.m.
CCIJ1*: 1:10-2:30 p.m.
CCI1*: 2:40-5:55 p.m.
Scroll through to have a look around!
In this cross country preview from Ride on Video Ian takes us on a tour of the course:
Here’s wishing everyone a safe, happy, successful round. 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 (use code NAYCE18 for a free fan membership), ENâs Coverage
Frankie Thieriot and Chatwin. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
I harbor a lot of feminist … if not rage, certainly feistiness, about the boxes that society so often wants to put women in. “You can have X, or you can have Y. You can have Y, but you have to give up X.” And nothing makes me happier than seeing a leaderboard like the one from today’s Rebecca Farm CCI3* competition. It’s a who’s-who of smart, strong, versatile women who believe they can have it all, and pity the fool who doubts that they’ll achieve whatever they put their mind to.
The top three riders in particular are proof that you can fit all the things that make you tick — horses, family, career, etc. — into your life if you are willing to put in the work. First-placed Frankie Thieriot-Stutes (26.9), 2nd placed Kristen Bond (30.5), and 3rd placed Jen McFall (33.9) have all managed to find a balance between motherhood, work and competition.
Frankie and Chatwin are EN’s “By the Numbers” predicted winners, and so far they’re making our crystal ball look good. The West Coast eventer marched into the ring today with a smile on her face to delivered one of the pair’s most impressive performances to date. But her hard work this week extends beyond the dressage ring. She’s the lead anchor for Ride On Video, responsible for The Event at Rebecca Farm’s live stream, and her Athletux Equine sports marketing agency is yet another plate to keep spinning.
âI havenât ridden here since 2013 since itâs so important for me to work this event,â she says. âI havenât wanted to give that up. This year I really wanted to ride him here, so I approached Sarah Broussard and said, âI really want to ride, but I promise Iâll still take care of my jobs.â I want to come back and work here because it is really special.”
In addition Frankie has her two young sons with her, and she credits her support team for helping pull it all off: her mom, her husband, and fellow eventers Tamie Smith and Kelly Prather. âItâs really fun to have everyone come here this weekend and be able to do it,” she says. “I think Iâm a little better when I have more going on. I donât get in my head as much.â
Frankie Thieriot and Chatwin. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Kristen Bond is another supermom who had a super dressage day, riding Enough Already, with whom she made her way back to the Advanced level this year after a lengthy hiatus.
EN’s recent feature on Kristen, “Six Years and Two Kids Later, Kristen Bond Returns to Top Level,” is one of my favorite things we’ve published in a long time and well worth the read if you missed it the first go-round. In it Kristen, the mother of two young children, speaks with heartfelt honesty about the challenges and rewards of balancing motherhood with riding, bravely detailing her journey back into the sport.
Rebecca will be the first CCI3* effort for Enough Already and Kristen’s first outing at the level since 2011, but they’ve got their game faces on.
âThe course looks great, but thereâs some really big stuff,â she says. âI think the first and second water are formidable. And itâs really long — you just walk for so long — so I think thatâll be a test as well. My horse hasnât gone that long in his life. Hopefully Iâll be staying on tomorrow and jumping all the jumps!”
Kristen had a long haul from New Jersey to Montana, with some expense offset by a Rebecca Farm travel grant — view a list of the 2018 grant recipients here. She says, “Iâm just grateful to be here, and to have been given a grant to come all the way out here. I think itâs so generous for the Broussards to make it possible for East Coast riders to come out here. I hope Iâll represent that well this weekend.â
Best of luck to all! Keep it here for all the cross country action starting bright and early Saturday morning. Go Eventing!
Rebecca Farm CCI3* Top 10 After Dressage:Â
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 (use code NAYCE18 for a free fan membership), ENâs Coverage
Chris Talley and Sandro’s Star. Disclaimer: My mare Princess is having Sandro’s baby which makes him my son-in-law, or brother-in-law, or something (can’t wait to see you at Thanksgiving dinner, Sandro!), so I’m kind of biased. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Sandro’s Star is the majestic black stallion that gallops through all of our dreams and not surprisingly he has taken the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series CIC3* dressage lead here at Rebecca Farm.
Even without a collective mark for “sheer exquisite beauty” (a proposal tabled indefinitely by the FEI) to bolster his score, this magnificent creature scored a 29.3 to overtake the lead in a dramatic grand finale of the division. Together with rider Chris Talley, they brought 2015 FEI Three-Star Test B to life, as one might produce music from notes on a page: his extended trot a dramatic crescendo, his canter a waltz of lilting strings, his centerline a slow-burn cymbal crash that made you want to throw roses at his feet. Encore, Sandro! Oh wait, not yet. You have to halt first.
I called Princess after Sandro took the lead like “OMG PRINCESS GUESS WHAT?!” Photo by Leslie Wylie.
With the exception of a slightly fidgety halt — or was it a slow-motion piaffe, totally on purpose? — Chris and Sandro performed a consistent, expressive test to score a 29.3, their personal best at the level. “There were some really good moments today and I was really happy with him throughout,” Chris says.
The pair came to Rebecca under the auspices that they were doing the CCI3*, until Chris got a call yesterday that they weren’t qualified by, like, a fraction of a time fault as per some new FEI rule change. Gah, FEI! Always ruining it for everybody. Thankfully Rebecca’s organizers were able to shuffle them into the CIC3* division.
Swoon! (Sorry, it’s the pregnancy hormones.) Photo by Leslie Wylie.
In addition to Sandro, Chris is riding Unmarked Bills, his own 9-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, in the CCI3*, and is jazzed to tackle Ian Stark’s cross country track on both horses.
âI think the Thoroughbred, it should suit really well because itâs open and galloping. Sometimes he doesnât like to turn — he just likes to gallop and jump,â he says. âWith Sandro, Iâm looking forward to it. Heâs such a super jumper. It should be good.â
Named 2017 USEA Stallion of the Year, Sandro is a full-time athlete and part-time ladies’ man who stands at stud at Hannah and Antonio Salazar’s Zaragoza Acres in Virginia. The 10-year-old Oldenburg stallion (Sagnol x Poetic Patter xx, by Nostalgia’s Star xx), owned by Hannah Salazar, is a professional when it comes to keeping work separate from, em, pleasure.
“He’s such a super horse and he’s such a super stallion,” Chris says. “He’s stabled next to our other stallion and the farm, he’s in the same barn with mares and foals — he’s such a workman. He goes up to the ring and works and it makes it really easy to train on him.”
The only time Sandro got a crush on a mare during competition was once at Jersey Fresh. “Jennie [Brannigan’s] mare was in the ring next to me,” Chris says. “He looked at her and then went on through everything, but he looked at her and he thought about it. He picks out the pretty grey mares.”
Oh hey, Fleeceworks Royal … whatcha doing later?
Tamie Smith and Fleeceworks Royal. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Tamie Smith and the 9-year-old Holsteiner mare (Riverman x Marisol, by Corofino), owned by Judy McSwain, are 2nd in the CIC3* on a score of 31.0. Tamie says “Rory” got a bit lit up flatting in a ring beside cross country, but that it was all good: “I’m kind of in that step where I can put my leg on and ride her through it.”
An in-the-saddle perfectionist, Tamie is quick to point out their little mistakes — Rory tried to halt at X instead of I, they had a step of canter in the shoulder-in, one change was late — but says she feels like overall they’re on the right path.
Tamie Smith and Fleeceworks Royal. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
“Having all those mistakes before would have really put me low, but because of the overall suppleness and quality of her I was really happy,” she says. “Even though she was a little zippy she was still really relaxed and moving through her body. She’s such a great horse for the future and she has the ability to really knock it out of the park on the flat.”
Tamie and Rory won the CIC3* here last year and are up for the challenge in front of them tomorrow. “I think it’s a typical Ian track. Being here multiple years I think he’s taken a lot of the tight, turning, technical pieces out of it and made it an open gallop-y course, and so far it looks like his best track here.”
Rounding out the top three in the CIC3* is Jordan Linstedt and Revitavet Capato. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Much more to come. Go Eventing!
Rebecca Farm CIC3* Top 10 After Dressage:Â
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 (use code NAYCE18 for a free fan membership), ENâs Coverage
Rebecca Farm Annual Chinch Challenge: Whichever team holds the current NAYC CCIJ1* lead is the Keeper of the Chinch. May the Chinch be with you, Area II! I better not see that guy again until Sunday! Photo by Leslie Wylie.
After taking the lead in yesterday’s Adequan FEI North American Youth Championships CICOY2* dressage, Area II came out swinging again today, topping the CCIJ1* team leaderboard.
The squad: Haley Carspecken and Center Stage (2nd, 29.0), Olivia Wall and Mandolin R (4th, 31.7), Katherine Christopher and Frodo of The Shire (14th, 34.9), and Maia Kantorowski and Kiltubrid Rebel (16th-tie, 36.3).
Top placed Area II rider Haley says her test today with “Connor” was the result of a lot of hard work, with the help of her trainer Mara DuPuy. “When I first got Connor I could not sit his trot or anything, and so she really taught me how to move his body around so it gives me a place to sit,” she says. “All the events leading up to this have basically just been schooling for this. This was our best test we’ve had so far so I’m really pleased with how it went.”
Area II’s Maia Kantorowski gives Kiltubrid Rebel some love after their test. Maia participated as a groom at the 2017 NAYC and this is her first year competing. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Here, the teams talks about their (long!) journeys to Rebecca Farm and what makes the NAYC team experience special:
The Area II Young Riders team is coached by Holly Payne-Caravella with chef dâequipe as Meg Kepferle. The Area II YR coordinator is Chris Donovan. Area IIâs all-important groom roster is comprised of Caitlin OâRoark, Dylan Phillips, Zoe Bruno, Colette Leber, Cori Jarman, Anna Fitzhugh and Ella Braundel. Teamwork makes the dream work!
NAYC CCIJ1* individual leader McKinsey Wickman and Dassett Profile. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Area Vâs McKensey Wickman and her own Dassett Profile, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, lead the division on a 28.6.
“He had a very lovely test,” McKensey says. “He stayed very consistent and everything I asked of him he reacted to, so I’m very happy.”
McKensey and “Pro” led the NAYCJ1* dressage last year, but a hiccup on cross country cost them a top placing. “It was really heartbreaking last year to lose the leading position after a silly stop on cross country, but I decided to have an action plan,” McKensey says. Since then, she has revamped her training program under the guidance of Rebecca Brown: “She has transformed me and Pro into a new pair.”
“I’m really blessed to be in this position today,” McKensey says. “Tomorrow is a new day and I have to go out there and do what I know I need to do.”
McKinsey Wickman and Dassett Profile. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Leading Ride: McKinsey Wickman and Dassett Profile
McKinsey Wickman and Dassett Profile hold the lead of the CCIJ1* on a 28.6 heading into cross-country tomorrow at Rebecca Farm!
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Posted by Adequan FEI North American Youth Championships on Friday, July 20, 2018
Haley Carspecken and Center Stage of Area II are 2nd on a score of 29.0. Harper Click and Rubia, who are representing the Area IV & VII mix team, round out the top three on a 29.0.
Watch the full press conference for comments from the top three riders on their day and their thoughts on the cross country test ahead:
NAYC 2018 continues tomorrow with cross country Saturday and show jumping Sunday. Best of luck to all!
NAYC CCIJ1*Â Team Standings After Dressage:
NAYCÂ CCIJ1* Top 10 Individual After Dressage:
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 (use code NAYCE18 for a free fan membership), ENâs Coverage
Tosca Holmes-Smith and Tom Riddle. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Tosca Holmes-Smith is barely 18 years old but already on her fourth North American Youth Championship (NAYC), having represented Canada in the one-star for the past three years. After claiming individual gold and leading the Canadian Junior Team to a bronze medal finish in the CCIJ 1* division in 2017, this year she makes the step up to the CICOY2* as Canada’s sole eventing representative.
Tosca has competed a different horse each year — her 2018 mount, Tom Riddle, is her fourth NAYC mount. “I’m trying to set a record,” Tosca laughs.
Tosca’s family bought the now 11-year-old Thoroughbred (Towkay x D’Pix) from New Zealand as a 5-year-old, originally for Tosca’s older sister Carmen, who developed him through the one-star level. When Carmen went to university Tosca inherited the ride.
“He’s a really cool horse,” Tosca says. “I love him. He’s got lots of personality for sure.”
Tosca Holmes-Smith and Tom Riddle. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
The pair sits 9th after yesterday’s dressage on a score of 36.0, and Tosca says she was happy with the test: “He’s a little bit inconsistent. He’s sometimes quite lazy, and then in the bigger environments he can be quite hot, so you never quite know what you’re going to get. But he’s a really nice horse. He has a lovely canter and lovely movement.”
At home in British Columbia, Tosca trains with former Advanced level eventer turned Grand Prix dressage rider Joni Lynn Peters. This spring, however, she went to be a working student for two months with Tamie Smith, who is coaching her this weekend. “She is amazing,” Tosca says. “I loved being at her barn. It was such a great learning experience.”
Love Tosca’s maple leaf bling! Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Tosca had a successful spring season on the West Coast, including an 8th place finish in the Galway Downs CIC2* with her 2017Â NAYC CCIJ1*Â mount Fiat. Tosca and Fiat finished the 2017 season as Equestrian Canada’s Horse Trials British Columbia Intermediate Champion, and Tosca picked up the Preliminary Young Rider Champion title aboard Tom Riddle. She was also the recipient of the 2017 HTBC Young Rider of Distinction Perpetual Trophy, dedicated to the memory of Jordan McDonald.
NAYC success is a Holmes-Smith family tradition — Tosca’s sister Carmen won NAYC CCIJ1* gold in 2016 before handing it off to her younger sibling. Last year, Tosca and Fiat’s path to individual gold last year began with eighth place finish in dressage on a score of 47.2 penalties, after which they shot up to third after a double-clear effort on cross country. The pair ultimately claimed victory on their dressage score after sealing the deal with a foot-perfect show jumping round.
2017 NAYC 1* gold medalist Tosca Holmes-Smith (center) with silver medalist Alexandra Baugh (right) and bronze medalist Mallory Hogan (left). Photo by Leslie Wylie.
We look forward to cheering Tosca on at NAYC 2018! The eventing championship is held in conjunction with The Event at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana, from July 18-22. EN is live on the scene, bringing you all the latest!
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 (use code NAYCE18 for a free fan membership), ENâs Coverage
