Buck Davidson dominated the Advanced Test A division at Rocking Horse Winter II over the weekend, claiming the top three spots. (He also second in the Advanced Test B division on Petite Flower, behind winners Alyssa Phillips and Bliss III, in addition to finishing seventh on Park Trader and 15th on No Remorse.)
Buck’s Advanced Test A scores:
He is one busy dude who somehow always seems to be in two (or more!) places at once. At this event David Frechette, better known in the YouTube jungle as TheHorsePesterer, managed to capture the blur that is Buck on all three of his Advanced Test A horses in at least once phase.
Enjoy! See full Rocking Horse Winter II H.T. results here.
#1: Buck & Copper Beach
#2. Buck & Halimey
#3. Buck Davidson & Carlevo
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CANTER PA just bomb-dropped some serious lookers this week!
CANTER PA is based out of Penn National Racecourse but also lists horse at PARX as well as various farms throughout Pennsylvania. We’ve seen some very successful event horses come out of this program … could you be the proud owner of the next CANTER PA grad superstar?
Here are three that caught our eye:
Photo via CANTER PA.
Saint Roch (Street Sense – Chatique, by Deputy Minister): 2013 16.2-hand Kentucky-bred gelding
A big, stunning, hunky fellow with an athletic build and sensible personality, this guy could be an awesome find.
Very polite and patient for his listing, he has a kindness about him that makes his handlers think he’d be a nice choice for an amateur, as well as a pro. Offering a nice sport pedigree including such sires as Street Sense, Deputy Minister and Dixieland Band, we can see him being sought after by eventers. Even prettier in person, when CANTER saw this guy walking down the shedrow they instantly hoped that he would be our listing for the day. Very handsome!
Doctor Action (Van Nistelrooy – Khayelitsha, by Gold Case): 2011 16.1 1/2 hand Louisiana bred gelding
Big, bay and beautiful! Retiring after finishing in the top three of his 20 race track starts, with $32,470 in career earnings.
A substantial fellow who is known for being kind and cooperative, CANTER thinks this one could be the right mix of build and brains to please an amateur. His trainer said she “loved” him and that despite his size, he’s easy for someone as petite as her to handle. He was a model citizen for his listing and seemed like the type to just go with the flow. Check him out!
Final AMX (Southern Success – Declined Amx, by Devil His Due): 2014 15.2-hand gelding
Babycakes! This youngster is just turning three this spring and has lots of filling out to do. While his photos don’t do him justice, his video does give you a feel for how pretty he moves.
Well-bred for sport, there are some lovely lines in this guy’s pedigree that makes us think he’ll be a lovely prospect, including Dixieland Band, AP Indy, Devil His Due and Buckpasser. We’re told Final AMX is a very nice horse to handle, ride and be around, retiring with no known issues or vices after only FOUR starts!
A clean slate, this guy is ready to be molded into your next partner. He was very polite for his listing and seems like a sensible prospect.
Darren Chiacchia and Amendment 15 at Bromont in 2014. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
U.S. Olympian Darren Chiacchia has been cleared of 2010 felony charges alleging that he did not inform a former sexual partner that he was HIV positive. The online docket for Marion County, Florida confirms that the charges were dropped on Feb. 15, 2017.
His representatives issued the following statement to EN:
“Olympic medalist, 2003 Pan American Games gold medalist, and 2004 Rolex Kentucky CCI4* victor, Darren Chiacchia of Ocala, FL and Springville, NY, has been cleared of all charges under a Florida HIV disclosure law. After reviewing all available evidence, the prosecutors have acknowledged that dismissal is appropriate. Sadly, those unsupportable charges caused an eight year journey through the court system for a case that lacked merit from the beginning.
“The statute cited in Darren’s case is a 1986 law intended to protect against the spread of HIV. Florida is among multiple states that attached criminal penalties, but with major advancements in medical science, the validity of these statutes has been called into question.
“For Chiacchia, this nightmare began on the heels of his traumatic brain injury (TBI) at the Red Hills Horse Trials in March 2008. A rotational fall at a vertical following a combination bank complex left Chiacchia in a prolonged coma. He thereafter struggled to recover his ability to take care of himself, his riding career, and the relationships around him. Chiacchia’s diminished capacity certainly left him vulnerable to anyone intending to take advantage of him.
“An individual did just that in June 2009 when this person tried first in New York, then Kentucky and finally Florida to have Chiacchia arrested. He falsely claimed that Chiacchia violated Florida’s Health law requiring knowledge of an infectious HIV condition. Complicated by Chiacchia’s brain injury which limited his ability to assist in his own defense, together with conflicting interpretations of the legal reach of that antiquated health law, Darren’s case dragged on through multiple prosecutors and defense attorneys for years. Meanwhile, due to this false charge, his reputation was severely tarnished.
“It was not until Ocala, FL attorney, Paul Guilfoil became involved on July 1, 2014 that the full factual record was compiled. Chiacchia’s recovering memory and the honesty of multiple witnesses clearly contradicted the 2009 false claim against him.
“Perhaps the only positive outcome of this tragic mess is the fact that Chiacchia has become increasingly active in supporting change to HIV laws. Across the country these statutes tend to discourage testing for and treatment of the virus. Medical science continues to improve the details of HIV identification and treatment.
“Chiacchia has energetically involved himself in both the Florida and nationwide efforts to amend criminal HIV laws to reflect these changes. The fight also continues to improve our understanding of the effects of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The lessons learned in Chiacchia’s struggle to both recover from a TBI and to defend himself against false legal charges provide an important caution to lawmakers and athletes.
“Chiacchia and many others fervently believe that no one should be the target of false criminal allegations or charges that rely upon antiquated and constitutionally over-broad punishment for any citizen; especially those who suffer from a disability making it difficult or impossible for them to defend themselves.”
At the end of the day I think we can all agree that horses are a big bunch of hairy weirdos. (Although, I guess the same thing could be said of their riders — although hopefully with significantly less hair.) And sometimes we are able to capture that weirdness in a photo and share it on social media for all the world to see.
Exhibit A: your latest batch of #EventerProblems …
I drool a little bit into my computer each week putting together this column, but this week’s batch made me especially weak in the knees. Sanctify’s “look at me” presence, Elusive Talmo’s smart dapples, Keen on Green’s sweet eye … I would take all three home with me if I could!
The horses are located in New York and are available through ReRun Thoroughbred Adoption, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to giving retired racehorses the very best care so they can thrive and have meaningful and fulfilled lives after the racetrack. For more information on them or to fill out an adoption application click here.
Photo via ReRun.
Sanctify (Pulpit – Averymerrymoment, by Distorted Humor): 2011 16-hand New York-bred gelding
Sanctify has perhaps turned more heads on social media than any other horse ReRun has posted in the past six months. Running 17 times, he won $175,000 before retiring a few months ago to be actively marketed as a stallion prospect. Ultimately no viable option arose and so he was donated to ReRun. Having been gelded just three weeks ago, he will require an experienced home and handler and would benefit from a lot of turnout. He is not suitable for 24/7 turnout at this time, cannot be turned out with other horses and cannot be stalled close to mares.
He is clean-legged and suitable for all pursuits. Good to handle in all respects including clipping and farrier. He has no vices; however, he is not a “child friendly” horse nor suitable for beginners or those lacking experience with colts and stallions. This is a stunning opportunity to own a Thoroughbred that on the private market would price at over $5,000 and he is RRP eligible. Adoption fee: $1,000.
Elusive Talmo (Elusive Quality – Jesse’s Justice, by Lear Fan): 2012 16.2-hand New York-bred gelding
Elusive Talmo is clean-legged with no vices and is in search of a new home. He was adopted prior to Christmas; however, while his adopter tried to organize shipping their barn burned down, so he now finds himself in need of another home.
He is good to handle in all respects, and although not an A mover, he is suitable for all pursuits including jumping and would be an ideal project. He’s had a couple of training rides and was very easy, laidback and uncomplicated. Adoption fee: $600.
Photo courtesy of ReRun.
Keen On Green (Bustin Stones – Ivory Handled, by Personal Flag): 2011 15.2-hand New York-bred mare
Keen is ReRun’s very special princess. At 6 years old, she stands 15.2hh but is quite robust and roly poly. An easy keeper, she has no vices, tight legs and good wind. Racing 32 times, she won over $80,000 and came to Rerun last summer spending the past six months letting down and hanging out with their other mares. She is great to handle in all respects including clippers and farrier.
She has been started back under saddle and was all business — did exactly as was asked and behaved impeccably. She has untold potential in a variety of pursuits and ReRun would love to see her with her own special person as she really does deserve her own happy ending. She is RRP eligible and if adopted to enter, ReRun would consider sponsoring her and waiving her fee. Adoption fee: $400.
Where there are horse people, there are dogs — and we love showing them off! Here’s your latest batch of canine Instagram pics, plus a few other assorted friendly barnyard creatures because we’re equal opportunity like that.
Be sure to tag your ‘Grams with #DogsOfEN for inclusion in a future edition!
Equestrians are so fashionable! We walk around looking like we just stepped off a page of the SmartPak catalog, like, all the time.
Haha just kidding. We are ragged-out, mud-splattered, hoarder tack store addicts, and all our horses want to do in the world is run around naked covered in their own filth.
As our friends on the other side of the pond gear up for a brand new season of eventing, British Eventing takes one last look in the rearview of the year that was 2016.
Many thanks to British Eventing TV for sharing — they’re already ramping up content offerings in anticipation of the new eventing season, including a live stream scheduled for the JAS championship finals on Feb. 19.
In the spirit of Throwback Thursday let’s rewind to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Leslie Law was representing Team Great Britain on Shear L’eau, one of two striking grey ISH full brothers upon which Leslie achieved a string of successes in the early 2000s, the other being Shear H20 who was his 2000 Olympic mount in Sydney.
Leslie and Shear L’eau performed a personal best dressage test in Athens, a 43.2, which put them in the top 10 heading into cross country. They had a sticky moment at the water but blasted around the rest of the course, coming home clear with 1.2 time penalties, then turned in one of only two double clears to ultimately clinch individual gold and team silver.
Watch highlights from the pair’s Olympic performance on this video from British Eventing TV. Many thanks to BETV for sharing — they’re already ramping up content offerings in anticipation of the new eventing season, including a live stream scheduled for the JAS championship finals on Feb. 19.
What’s the secret to perfect quarter marks? How do you get every last speck of dirt and hay out of a barn aisle? British super groom Alex Van Tuyll, who spent a decade working for William Fox-Pitt, shared her secrets with Ellie Kelly in this video.
Alex was a presenter at the 2017 International Eventing Forum, held yesterday at Hartbury College in Gloucester, England. The annual forum aims to deliver insight, opinion and knowledge beneficial to riders and trainers seeking to up their eventing game. Britain-based California eventer Sophie Hulme was in attendance and will be bringing us a recap on Thursday so be sure to check back.
For more “Tips from the Top” videos, featuring advice from leading riders and professionals in all equestrian sports, visit Ellie’s website here. And be sure to follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
Go Eventing.
Why SpectraVET?
Reliable. Effective. Affordable.
SpectraVET is committed to providing only the highest-quality products and services to our customers, and to educating the world in the science and art of laser therapy.
We design and manufacture the broadest range of clinically-proven veterinary therapeutic laser products, which are represented and supported worldwide by our network of specialist distributors and authorized service centers.
Lindsay Gilbert, shown here competing Rebel Annie in the 2016 Thoroughbred Makeover, has a 2017 entry as well! You can follow the journey of Lindsay and her new OTTB, Hot Java, via their "Making It to the Makeover" blog on EN's Bloggers Row. Photo courtesy of Lindsay Gilbert.
Of that 578, 182 trainers cited eventing as their primary discipline, with another 40 listing it as their secondary discipline, for a potential total of 222 entries. Eventing was followed by show hunter (126), show hunter (126), show jumper (77), dressage (63), barrel racing (31), competitive trails (27), field hunters (20), polo (19), working ranch (17) and freestyle (16).
The event, which this year will take place Oct. 5-8 at the Kentucky Horse Park, had a huge number of trainer applications. Approval was based on skill, experience and demonstrated ability to introduce a fresh-off-the-track Thoroughbred to a new career.
“We were overwhelmed, not only by the number of applications, but also by the quality,” said RRP President Steuart Pittman. “The performances on the first weekend of October could be more awe-inspiring than what we saw last year, and the selection of carefully chosen, well-started Thoroughbred sport horses for sale will be vast. People should pencil this weekend in on their calendars now.”
The eventing entry list ranges from talented young riders to four-star eventers and stars from other disciplines, such as top female jockey Rosie Napravnik. The field of trainers is comprised of 49% professionals, 39% amateurs, and 12% juniors hailing from 44 states, two Canadian provinces and England.
A few upper-level competitors and trainers that jumped off the list: Cathy Wieschhoff (KY), Mandy Alexander (KY), Jessica Bortner-Harris (NC), Jennifer Coleman (KY), Dorothy Crowell (KY), Elissa Gibbs (KY), Brittany Kart (GA), Emily Kocubinski (PA), Nick Larkin (KY), Clare and Tom Mansmann (VA), Julie McElhaney (OH), Susan Moessner (MI), S. Kelly Plitz (ON), Tate Reynolds (PA), Ian Roberts (ON), and Elisa Wallace (GA).
Two hundred-thirty trainers have registered their horses already, which means there are still more than 300 trainers shopping for horses to use in the competition.
“Everybody should attend the Makeover,” said Lauren Turner, 2016 winner on Fairway King of the dressage division and overall title of America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred. “It is the most diverse gathering of horse trainers in the competition industry. I learned so much last year from trainers in other sports and am looking forward to reuniting with them and their new horses this October.”
When it comes to politics, the sovereign state of Eventing Nation has no dog, er, chinchilla in the fight. We respect and appreciate the fact that our citizenship is vast and ideologically varied — we even believe that’s part of what makes us such an amazing community. Because at the center of it all, we share at least one thing in common: We’re all bananas about the sport of eventing. And in these divisive times, common ground is a sacred gift indeed.
Among EN’s founding principles, however, is a commitment to “insanity in the middle,” and maybe a splash of clear-the-air ridiculousness would do us all a little good right now. Thus, from the bottom of our hearts, we present: “America First, Eventing Nation Second.”
If we can’t be #1, at least we can be a distant #2. Here’s what the People’s Republic of Eventing Nation has working in its favor:
In addition to showcasing top international eventing talent, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day event is committed to showing love to charities that support equine organizations and serve the local community.
This year’s official charity, Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, is more “local” than ever. Based in the Kentucky Horse Park, Equestrians Events, Inc., producer of Rolex Kentucky, selected the 35-year-old non-profit on the basis of its strong mission: to improve the quality of life and the health of children and adults with special physical, cognitive, emotional and social needs through therapeutic activities with the horse.
EN recently had the opportunity to speak with Pat Kline, Executive Director of CKRH, about its values and what it means to be chosen as Rolex Kentucky’s official charity:
Photo courtesy of CKRH.
EN: CKRH is located on site at the Kentucky Horse Park. What is is like to be in that setting?
PK: Our location inside the Kentucky Horse Park has given our program an added dimension that goes back to our inception in 1981. The power of the horse surrounds us daily in many different formats. The environment is rich for our educational endeavors, inspiration abounds from the competitions and the tranquility of our particular setting provides the safe feeling necessary for achievement.
Photo courtesy of CKRH.
EN: Does this make it special to you that you have been selected as this year’s Rolex charity?
PK: It is very special to us because of our long history with Rolex. Our organizations were neighbors for several years when CKRH was located in the black tobacco barn. Rolex and the Kentucky Horse Park have always supported our program. To be named the Official Charity for the 2017 Rolex here at the Kentucky Horse Park is a great honor. It will give awareness to the wide variety of services provided by our program. And, CKRH will be able to share the “magic” of the horse-human interaction and the difference it can make in changing lives.
Photo courtesy of CKRH.
EN: What does Rolex mean to CKRH?
PK: Rolex represents a world class event to us. It gives horses, riders and the equine community a chance to shine even brighter. The level of the competition is both educational and inspiring.
Photo courtesy of CKRH.
EN: What are CKRH’s goals for 2017?
PK: CKRH finished construction of our state-of-the-art facility in 2012. Thanks to many generous donors the facility is now debt free as of last year. For 2017, our number one goal is to kick-off an endowment to make sure this wonderful program will survive into the future. CKRH relies greatly on our community for donations. While we will always need and appreciate that support, an endowment is paramount for future sustainability.
Photo courtesy of CKRH.
EN: How can people help support CKRH?
PK: There are many different ways to help CKRH. First, monetary donations are the backbone of our funding sources. Contributions can be made through www.ckrh.org or mailed to us at P.O. Box 13155, Lexington, KY 40583. Planned Giving offers many ways to ensure that your legacy enables future generations to benefit from our services. Contact Pat or Jessica at 859-231-7066 for additional information.
The gift of time is also very valuable at CKRH! If you live locally, come join our more than 500 volunteers who make our program happen daily. Or consider making a tax deductible donation of tack or equipment. A Wish List of our most needed items can be found at www.ckrh.org.
Didn’t catch the $100,000 Land Rover Wellington Eventing Showcase live stream? Check out a distilled version of the weekend’s action via this two-minute highlight reel.
This week’s edition of OTTB Wishlist features two special horses available through Thoroughbred Athletes, Inc. Located in Guthrie, OK, their mission is to rehabilitate, retrain, and rehome off track Thoroughbred horses and afford community youth the opportunity to experience the process.
We’ll them them tell you a little bit about themselves:
The organizations handpicked two of its Thoroughbreds to share with Eventing Nation as potential eventing prospects! For information on either, please visit the Thoroughbred Athletes website.
Photo courtesy of Lucy Greenawalt Photography.
Photo courtesy of Lucy Greenawalt Photography.
Photo courtesy of Lucy Greenawalt Photography.
Photo courtesy of Lucy Greenawalt Photography.
Dusty Okie (Cavvy – Dynafine, by Dynaformer) is a 2009 bay gelding who ran 18 races to win $198,095 over three years. He was then responsibly retired into the Thoroughbred Athletes program where he has blossomed. Dusty has personality to spare and the drive to work hard and love his job. He has been on an adventure to school a cross country course and showed our team that he can be brave and bold when faced with the new challenges of a course. We can’t wait to see how he continues to progress!
Photo courtesy of Lucy Greenawalt Photography.
Photo courtesy of Lucy Greenawalt Photography.
Photo courtesy of Lucy Greenawalt Photography.
Photo courtesy of Lucy Greenawalt Photography.
Kesh (King of Scat – Port of Texas, by Wajir) is a 2011 dark bay gelding who was responsibly retired into the Thoroughbred Athletes program in July of 2016. Kesh is full of personality and kindness with a great attitude towards life and work. He thoroughly enjoys any and all attention he can get. Kesh is not only quite the package with his temperament, but he is also a beautiful mover! On his first ride since the track, he trotted and cantered quietly like the true class act he is.
While the Wellington Eventing Showcase may have hogged the spotlight, there were other horse trials taking place across the great Eventing Nation as well. From sea to shining sea, California to Georgia to South Carolina, eventers everywhere were out getting their fix.
Here are a few of your snapshots from the weekend that was!
Woodge Fulton and Captain Jack. Photos by Kate Samuels.
“Like a hardcore spider monkey” is the phrase EN eyewitness Kate Samuels used to describe Woodge Fulton’s save-of-the-day at the $100,000 Land Rover Wellington Eventing Showcase. When Captain Jack tipped the top of fence 6 the situation looked grim, but through a feat of athleticism and sheer grit Woodge managed to keep the horse between herself and the ground.
Way to stick it, Woodge!!! #spidermonkey
Posted by Dana Merrill on Saturday, February 4, 2017
The pair rallied and made short work of the rest of the course. Here they are jumping through the VIP tent:
Cross country for the 2017 $100,000 Land Rover Wellington Eventing Showcase is ON!
They ended up finishing clear with time and — most importantly — a big grin. Woodge’s mental and physical tenacity impressed us all, including John Nunn from Bit of Britain, who offered her a sponsorship! It just goes to show that anything can happen when you refuse to give up and just keep kicking!
All eyes are on the Land Rover Wellington Eventing Showcase this weekend, where a stacked field of 38 horses are vying for a slice of the $100,000 cake. Among them: Doug Payne and Vandiver, who are back for more after a 12th place finish in 2016.
Vandiver, a 13-year-old Trakehner owned by his breeder Debi Crowley alongside Doug and Jessica Payne, is just outside the top 10 after the dressage phase of this year’s event on a penalty score of 30.2.
As we eagerly await the jumping phases, let’s rewind to last year, when Doug and “Quinn” took us for a spin around the cross country course. As is Doug’s style, he dubs over his helmet cam with commentary and analysis of his ride and the course — a super way to learn about each question and the horse Doug is on. We hope he’ll be sporting a helmet cam this year, too!
Jim Koford may inhabit the world of Grand Prix dressage but he knows a thing or about “insanity in the middle.” He’s dabbled in eventing — and by “dabbled” I mean run around Rolex (for the full, wildly entertaining story about that, check out Samantha Clark’s 2011 interview with him here.)
These days he plays patron dressage saint to a number of top event riders, who seek him out for coaching. He has a gift for explaining stuffy dressage concepts in “eventerspeak,” breaking them down in a way that is more palatable to the run-and-jump set: “I want you to canter like you’re approaching a cross country bounce! Up! Up! Up!”
On Wednesday his insanity came out to play at Wellington’s annual Dressage Under the Stars Cancer Challenge at the Palm Beach Polo & Country Club. Presented by Invictus Farm & Sport Horses and hosted by Partners for a Cure, the event showcased costumed freestyle performances by several Grand Prix riders. In addition to putting on a show for the crowd, proceeds from the event were donated to cancer-related charities for research.
Jim showed up as Aladdin, gold harem pants, blue body paint and all. His magic carpet was Adiah HP, a 10-year-old Friesian cross owned by Sherry Koella, and he rode in memory of his longtime groom and friend Crystal Lee, who died of cervical cancer last year.
“With event horses, at most you jump once a week, so sometimes I like for a session to just jump from the walk, one session I will only jump from trot, maybe for another session I’ll just trot a few skinnies. You shouldn’t always do course work, you shouldn’t always canter fences. Trotting and walking fences is important for horses to learn to sort it out. We don’t like trotting fences because invariably when it goes wrong or we fall off it was from trot.”
Photo courtesy of Laura Szeremi.
Um, yep. But do go on, William:
“But trotting fences forces the horses to figure it out and if they kneel on a small oxer from trot they learn something. If they kneel on a 4-foot oxer at a show they don’t learn from that.”
And then today, I saw this video (of unknown origin — if anyone has the 411 please fill us in!) being passed around on YouTube:
Posted by Sang Wuk Song on Thursday, January 21, 2010
Go next-level crazy jumper people. And, of course, Go Eventing!
…
The feeling you get when you cross the finish line.
It’s why we do what we do.
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Rocking Horse Winter I H.T. was a walk in the park for Edith Lee and Prince Halory. It was a warmup outing for the pair, who have successfully competed through the two-star level.
Edee and the 14-year-old Thoroughbred stallion have a long and special partnership. She bought him as a yearling, broke him and brought him up the levels herself. In addition to competing, he is the standing stallion for Wake Robin Farm in Mayer, MN.
Edee has successfully competed Prince’s his offspring in the sport of eventing as well. Among them: Prince’s son Leviathan, who was also at Rocking Horse in the Prelim/Training division.
A photo posted by Edith Lee Eventing (@el.eventing) on
Best of luck to Edee and her crew in 2017!
Why SpectraVET?
Reliable. Effective. Affordable.
SpectraVET is committed to providing only the highest-quality products and services to our customers, and to educating the world in the science and art of laser therapy.
We design and manufacture the broadest range of clinically-proven veterinary therapeutic laser products, which are represented and supported worldwide by our network of specialist distributors and authorized service centers.
