Classic Eventing Nation

Louise Romeike Maintains Her Lead in the CCI4*-S at Marbach

By on May 17, 2025 2:02 pm -

The following press release has been translated from German; please forgive any translation errors!

Louise Romeike and Caspian 15. Photo via Eventing Marbach.

On Saturday, 34-year-old Louise Romeike defended her top spot during the cross country phase of the Marbach International Eventing competition in the CCI4*-Short, presented by iWEST Animal Nutrition. Although the Swede collected 3.6 time penalties on course with her gelding Caspian, she remained in the lead with a total score of 28.6 points after her closest competitor, Ingrid Klimke, withdrew from the competition.

Romeike’s fellow Swede Frida Andersen made a major leap up the leaderboard from 11th after dressage to second place. Riding her mare Stonehavens Baby Blue, she jumped clear and now sits on a score of 32.5 points. Austria’s Lea Siegl, riding the Brandenburg-Anhalt-bred gelding van Helsing P, picked up 4.8 time penalties on cross country but held onto third place with a total of 32.8 points, the position she earned in dressage.

German national coach Peter Thomsen (Lindewitt) praised the event during a press conference, saying, “We had excellent conditions today—the footing has never been this good!” He added that spectators had witnessed top-class sport: “I’m just really happy!” He concluded by complimenting course designer Bernd Backhaus: “He built very safely, with good distances that required accurate riding.”

Malin Hansen-Hotopp (48) from Gransebieth in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern currently sits fifth (33.4 points) after cross country with her Holsteiner gelding Carlitos Quiddith K. She confirmed, “That was a great and fairly built course today! I’ve competed here three times and am totally impressed with Marbach! I love coming here for early-season prep and always have a great time. A big thank you to Danièle Vogg and her team!”

Anna Haag from Ansbach, riding her homebred Hanoverian gelding Little Caterpillar, picked up 23.2 penalties in cross country and is currently in 18th place with a score of 53.5 points heading into show jumping. Nevertheless, she was enthusiastic about the Marbach event: “Today was amazing for all riders, even us amateurs—so many spectators and truly excellent conditions—and we got lucky with the weather, too.”

Course designer Bernd Backhaus (Gladenbach) was also pleased with how the day went: “The course crew did an outstanding job, and the riders were happy!”

Holger Sontheim (Veringenstadt), chair of the organizing group IGV-BW (Association of Event Riders in Baden-Württemberg), noted that ticket prices had been lowered this year, although exact attendance figures weren’t yet available. He said 1,000 tickets had been sold in advance. Dr. Astrid von Velsen-Zerweck, director of the Marbach State Stud, commented, “There were more spectators than last year.”

Marbach CCI4*-S (Germany): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scoring] [Live Stream on ClipMyHorse.TV]

Capital Square Returns as Presenting Sponsor of VHC Eventing

By on May 17, 2025 12:00 pm -

Louis Rogers, founder and co-CEO of Capital Square, is an avid amateur eventer who will be competing at VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square

The Virginia Horse Center Foundation and VHC Eventing are thrilled to announce that Capital Square will return as Presenting Sponsor of VHC Eventing for the 2025 season. Capital Square’s generous support will once again power the highly anticipated Beginner Novice through Intermediate Level Horse Trials, including the CCI1-L, CCI2-S, CCI3*-S, and CCI2*-L**, taking place May 22–25, 2025, and October 30–November 2, 2025.

Roxanne Booth, VHC Eventing organizer and President of the Virginia Horse Center Foundation Board, shared, “Capital Square’s continued support of VHC Eventing is a tremendous asset to our community. Their commitment enables us to offer a world-class experience for competitors and spectators alike. We are honored to partner with such a forward-thinking and community-minded organization.”

Capital Square is a national leader in tax-advantaged real estate investment solutions, offering:

● Section 1031 exchanges to defer taxes from the sale of farms, ranches, and investment properties,

● Opportunity zone funds to enable tax deferral and exclusion following the sale of any asset, and

● A real estate investment trust (REIT) providing steady income and growth through investments in premier multifamily communities across the Southeast.

Capital Square builds legacies for investors, team members and communities – enabling the discovery and implementation of tax-advantaged real estate investments with unwavering integrity, developing best-in-class multifamily communities synonymous with value and managing multifamily properties with a drive for excellence. The firm’s full suite of services includes acquisition, due diligence, loan sourcing, asset and property management, and disposition for a broad range of clients, from individual investors to major institutional partners. Since its founding in 2012, Capital Square has completed more than $7.5 billion in real estate transactions.

The company’s rapid growth has been recognized nationally, earning a place on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies for eight consecutive years.

Keep an eye out for Louis Rogers, founder and co-CEO of Capital Square — and an avid amateur eventer — who will be competing at VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square, in both the May and November events!

“This is a rare opportunity,” according to Rogers. “To compete in and also sponsor VHC Eventing is a dream come true.”

To learn more about Capital Square, visit www.CapitalSq.com.

“Essex Is Happening – But We Need You”: Essex Horse Trials Rallies Support as Entries Approach Close

By on May 17, 2025 9:30 am -

Isabelle Bosley and Paper Doll compete at Essex Horse Trials. © AK Dragoo Photography

It’s not every day a legend like Marilyn Payne personally picks up the reins to save an event — but that’s exactly what she’s doing for the much-beloved Essex Horse Trials, which have undergone a myriad of changes in recent seasons but now looks ahead to its upcoming Horse Trials June 1-2. This year’s event will be fully held at Moorland Farm in Far Hills, NJ (previously, some phases of competition had been held at USET headquarters in Gladstone, NJ).

“When the organizers said they were done, I thought, ‘We can’t lose Essex,’” Marilyn, who is now the organizer of the event, says. “So I stepped in. I’m not getting paid. I’m just doing this because I want Essex to happen.”

The historic horse trials are a beloved staple of Area II’s summer calendar. But as entries prepare to close on an extended late date of May 27, Marilyn has a simple message for the eventing community: “We need you.”

For Marilyn — an Olympic judge, lifelong horsewoman, and veteran competitor — Essex is more than just another competition. “Out of all the events I’ve ever done in my life — and I’ve done quite a few — I’ve never gone to a one-day or even a two-day horse trial that is as good as Essex,” she says. “It’s world-class, even at the lower levels.”

It’s easy to see why. With top-notch footing at the iconic Moorland Farm, a fully sponsored Riders’ Tent with free food and drinks all day, generous prizes through sixth place, and the kind of enthusiastic tailgating you’d expect from a world-class sporting event, Essex offers a truly special experience—for riders, owners, and spectators alike.

And this year’s edition will be no exception.

Ryan Wood and Ruby. Photo by i{mpack}t studio courtesy of Mars Essex Horse Trials.

What’s New in 2025

  • Among the upgrades for 2025:
  • A Starter division at 2’3” height to welcome newer riders and young horses
  • Tailgating at the water jump, which brings spectators right into the action
  • A 20-page special printed program celebrating competitors and community
  • A vibrant vendor village and multiple food trucks
  • Continued support for Life Camp, the event’s beneficiary nonprofit, which brings hundreds of inner-city kids from New York to experience horses up close

“We raised $20,000 for Life Camp last year,” says Marilyn. “And the kids come—about 200 of them. They get to be around the horses, learn something new. It’s magical.”

Juli and Welbourne at Essex. Photo courtesy of Juli Hutchings-Sebring.

But First: We Need Entries

“As of now, we’ve only got about 30 riders entered,” Marilyn says. “We need at least 150 to break even. Last year we had 125. I know people want to come — they just need to enter.”

She stresses that entries will remain open after the May 22 closing date, and the team will accept late entries wherever possible. “It’s a beautifully run, welcoming event, and it can only keep happening if people show up,” she says. “If you’re thinking about it — do it. Bring a green horse. Try the Starter. Come see what makes Essex so special.”

Whether you’re a rider, spectator, or supporter, there are plenty of ways to be part of the Essex story:

  • Enter now (Starter through Prelim levels)
  • Encourage your barn friends to sign up
  • Plan a tailgate or come out to spectate
  • Donate to Life Camp or bring a first-time fan to the event

“When someone like EN puts out an article, it makes people say, ‘Hey, this is a big deal,’” Marilyn says. “It’s a third-party endorsement that makes all the difference.”

Let’s make a difference—for Marilyn, for Essex, and for the future of the sport.

📝 Entries close Thursday, May 22. Visit this link or visit the Essex website here to sign up or learn more.

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

By on May 17, 2025 12:01 am -

As we approach the year anniversary of losing one of our own in British rider Georgie Campbell, who passed away after an accident at Bicton last May, a special commemoration has been placed at Bicton ahead of their Nations Cup leg next weekend.

The team at Bicton will be scattering purple throughout their May International next week, remembering Georgie through floral displays and bouquets. The money raised from a Pony Club course walk with Tina Cook on Saturday on May 24th will go directly to the Georgie Campbell Foundation. Tickets for this course walk and the event in general are available here.

U.S. Weekend Events

Spokane Sport Horse Spring H.T. (WA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Otter Creek H.T. (WI): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Kentucky May-Daze Horse Trials (KY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Hunt Club Farms H.T. (VA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Bouckaert Equestrian H.T. (GA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Fair Hill International Recognized H.T. (MD): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Spring Gulch H.T. (CO): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Course Brook Farm Spring H.T. (MA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring]

Major International Events

Marbach CCI4*-S (Germany): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scoring] [Live Stream on ClipMyHorse.TV]

Belsay International CCI4*-S (UK): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scoring] [Live Stream on H&C+]

Links & Reading

USEA Events A-Z: Hunter’s Run Farm Horse Trials

Updated Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings Represent A Step Forward In Testing

Ride Clear Cross-Country Rounds with Ryan Wood

Ambulance Rides & OTTBs: The Plot Twist I Didn’t See Coming

Sponsor Corner: World Equestrian Brands

“I teach the horses that doing their best is good enough for me.”
– Sahar Daniel Hirosh

A thought for us all to strive for in our riding. Learn more about Sahar’s small habits that add to significant results in this edition of 1% More from World Equestrian Brands.

Video Break

The Martin boys do Kentucky:

Virginia’s Spring & Summer 2025 Eventing Preview, Presented by the Virginia Horse Industry Board

By on May 16, 2025 3:00 pm -

With spring in full swing and summer waiting in the start box, Virginia is rolling out a season full of can’t-miss eventing action. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or someone just getting their feet wet in eventing, there’s something for everyone in Virginia this year.

Behind the scenes, the Virginia Horse Industry Board is helping make it all happen. Their mission? To keep Virginia’s thriving horse industry thinking forward by supporting local competitions, investing in youth development, and backing the programs that keep horses (and the people who love them) moving in the right direction. These spring and summer events don’t just showcase great athleticism—they highlight the communities, venues, and partnerships that make Virginia such a standout on the national equestrian stage.

🐎 May 17: Hunt Club Farms Horse Trials – Berryville, VA
📍 huntclubfarms.net

Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hunt Club Farms is a true grassroots eventing hub. The May Horse Trials offer Intro through Modified levels with inviting yet technical courses designed by Mogie Bearden-Muller. Known for its friendly atmosphere, excellent footing, and picturesque countryside, Hunt Club is the perfect place to kick off the season in style.

🐎 May 22–25: VHC Eventing at the Virginia Horse Center – Lexington, VA
📍 vahorsecenter.org

A major fixture on the Area II calendar, the spring VHC Eventing competition features levels from Beginner Novice through Intermediate, as well as FEI levels. Riders enjoy the Horse Center’s top-tier amenities, including permanent stabling, expansive arenas, and a galloping cross country course with Blue Ridge views. Recent course updates and a dedicated team make this a standout event on Virginia’s circuit.

🐎 June 7–8: Middleburg Horse Trials – Middleburg, VA
📍 mocpony.club

Held on the historic Glenwood Park grounds, the Middleburg Horse Trials offer an iconic setting steeped in tradition. Run by the Middleburg Orange County Pony Club, this event provides a challenging cross country course and classic hunt-country terrain that tests horse and rider while drawing in spectators for a weekend of community and competition.

🐎 June 21–22: Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Summer Horse Trials – Leesburg, VA
📍 loudounhunt.ponyclub.org

The summer edition of LHPC’s long-standing Horse Trials takes place at Morven Park, offering levels through Training. Known for producing strong young riders and pony clubbers, this show emphasizes learning, horsemanship, and camaraderie. Morven’s open galloping tracks and iconic stone walls provide an authentic Virginia eventing experience.

🐎 July 17–18: Youth Equestrian Festival – Virginia Horse Center, Lexington, VA
📍 Event Listing

Designed to celebrate and develop young talent, the Youth Equestrian Festival features team-style competition and educational elements in a format that encourages mentorship and connection. Hosted once again at the Virginia Horse Center, the festival is a celebration of youth participation in equestrian sport and a summer highlight for many junior riders.

🐎 July 25–27: Hunt Club Farms Horse Trials – Berryville, VA
📍 huntclubfarms.net

Back for its second event of the season, Hunt Club’s July Horse Trials offer a warm and supportive environment with rolling cross-country tracks that make smart use of terrain. Known for its hospitality and strong community support, this event often draws a loyal group of competitors and volunteers—and is a great tune-up before the late summer and fall campaigns.

Get Involved

Whether you’re competing, volunteering, spectating, or exploring Virginia’s countryside, this season is full of ways to engage with the sport and the broader horse industry. These events reflect the spirit and strength of Virginia’s equestrian community—a thriving part of the state’s cultural and economic fabric.

For more on how the Virginia Horse Industry Board supports the growth of equestrian sport across the Commonwealth, visit www.vhib.org.

Millar and ‘A Real Showman’ Top CCI4*-S at Belsay (1)

By on May 16, 2025 1:51 pm -

Aaron Millar and KEC Deakon. Photo by Athalens.

Aaron Millar and KEC Deakon are in pole position in Belsay’s inaugural RBC Brewin Dolphin-sponsored CCI4*-S after the first day of dressage at the Northumberland horse trials.

Cirencester-based Aaron, who is making his first trip north to Belsay, scored 25 on Heidi Bates’ 15-year-old, a son of Chacoa.

Aaron said: “He was really good. He’s an older horse; he’s used to working at these big events, and we are hoping to use this as a final prep for the CCI5* at Luhmühlen in Germany next month. I always think that in their calendar running up to CCI5* they need one significant run, and this is it.

“He’s quite a character. He loves an atmosphere; he’s a real showman. Out of all the horses on the yard, he’s the one that watches the lorry go out and wants to be on it and to go to events. He genuinely lives for it. He’s a real businessman – he comes in and gets the job done.

“This is the first time I have been to Belsay, and I love it. It has got atmosphere, but there’s also a really nice vibe about it – I think it’s amazing. The cross-country is a proper track, a proper test.”

Second in the CCI4*-S on a score of 27.5 are Izzy Taylor and SBS Big Wall, while Hayden Hankey is in third with 28 penalties on Fools In Love.

Suffolk’s Bubby Upton is in the lead after day one in the Forsters LLP CCI2*-S with a dressage mark of 27.5 on her own Auckland 7, an eight-year-old by A La Carte. Australian rider Isabel English is second on 28.6 with Cil Dara Dynamic, while John Westmore is third on Oughterard Quality with a score of 29.1.

Storm Straker and Temeraire. Photo by Athalens.

Two qualifiers for the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Finals at Defender Burghley Horse Trials took place today at Belsay.

Local rider Jack Mantel, fresh from a successful CCI5* debut at Badminton Horse Trials last week, won the five-year-old class on Krista Brown’s Adonis Couture, a son of Joris Couture.

“I had him last year as a four-year-old and he won the Burghley Young Event Horse class at Bramham and went to the final at Burghley,” said Jack. “He’s been back with his owner over the winter and only came back to me two days ago. But he hasn’t forgotten much and he was brilliant. He’s got such good movement, is a real showman and I think he’s an exciting horse for the future.

“It was a very good track today and it’s a great series. It’s great to get these young horses out and about without putting too much pressure on them.”

North Yorkshire-based Storm Straker won the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse qualifier for four-year-olds on her own Temeraire, who is by Timolin.

Storm said: “I’ve had ‘Thor’ since he was a two-year-old, and have produced him myself. I really like bringing young horses to Burghley Young Event Horse qualifiers; I think it is a great introduction to their competitive career. This is his first competition, and it has been such a great atmosphere for young horses. I’m delighted to have brought him here. To have such a great result was unexpected, but I couldn’t have asked for anything more from him.”

Dressage for both international classes continues tomorrow (Saturday, 17 May), and the showjumping and cross-country phases of the Forsters LLP CCI2*-S also take place. Showjumping and cross-country for the feature RBC Brewin Dolphin CCI4*-S will take place on Sunday (18 May).

To purchase tickets for Belsay and to find out more information, please visit www.belsayhorsetrials.com.

All the cross-country at Belsay (1) May 16-18 and Belsay (2) May 28-June 1 will be shown on Horse & Country TV’s live streaming platform H&C+.

Belsay will host two events in 2025: Belsay (1) 16-18 May will be the Chatsworth replacement fixture with international classes at CCI4*-S and CCI2*-S level and Advanced and Novice national classes. The cross-country courses for this event will take a completely different route to that of Belsay (2) 28 May-1 June, which features the British Junior and Pony Championships, CCI2*-L, CCI3*-S, CCI2*-S and CCI1* international classes and BE90 to Open Intermediate national classes.

Belsay International CCI4*-S (UK): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scoring] [Live Stream on H&C+]

British Eventing CCIO4*-S Nations Cup Team Confirmed for Bicton

By on May 16, 2025 10:30 am -

Laura Collett and London 52. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

British Eventing is pleased to announce the team that have been selected to represent Great Britain at the CCIO4*-S Nations Cup competition at Bicton Arena International (1) between 22 – 25 May is as follows:

Barnie Brotherton from Broadway, Worcestershire with the 10-year-old gelding DHI King Nelson owned by Naomi Brotherton.

Laura Collett from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire with the 16-year-old gelding London 52 owned by herself, Karen Bartlett and Keith Scott.

Selina Milnes from Clevedon, Somerset with the 11-year-old gelding Cooley Snapchat owned by Mr & Mrs William Rucker.

Gemma Stevens from Horsham, West Sussex with the 15-year-old gelding Chilli King owned by Christopher and Lisa Stone.

The team will be accompanied by Chef d’Equipe Richard Waygood.

The British Eventing teams are supported by the British Equestrian Federation’s World Class Programme, funded by UK Sport through the National Lottery. The Programme focuses on identifying talent, developing potential and maximising medal-winning performances on the world stage.

For further information on the event, click here.

More information on the FEI Nations Cup, including the full calendar, is available here. The U.S. team heading to Bicton can be viewed here.

Yasmin Ingham and Gypsie du Loir. Bicton Arena press photo.

Olympic gold medallists, 2022 Badminton winners and British Nations Cup team members Laura Collett and London 52 head up an international field for the showpiece TopSpec CCI4*-S class at the Bicton International Horse Trials in Devon, running May 22-25 which also incorporates the British leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™.

Alongside Laura, who brings forward four rides in this class, the British entry includes cross country supremo Harry Meade, fresh from a string of brilliant five-star runs, riding Jet Fighter; Gemma Stevens with another son of Chilli Morning, Chilli King, plus Jalapeno III who has been re-routed from Badminton; and world champion Yasmin Ingham on Goliath du Loir and Gypsie du Loir.

Bicton has attracted a strong international entry with riders from Ireland and the US forming teams for the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™, plus individuals from the Netherlands, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, including Tayla Mason, who made a great impression on her Badminton debut.

This fixture is known for fostering the eventing stars of the future, as is evident not only from an exciting line-up of riders intending to contest the prestigious British Young Rider National Championships sponsored by Succeed, but also from their presence in the TopSpec CCI4*-S too. All three of the riders who earned a podium position in this Championship last year, Joshua Levett, Isabelle Cook and Anna Price are back again for 2025, so competition at the top is bound to be tight.

With its stunning parkland setting, breathtaking views and exhilarating cross-country tracks, the beautiful Bicton estate provides the perfect backdrop for cross-country viewing. Plus, with the action taking place out on course on both Saturday and Sunday, the event promises to offer a full weekend of equestrian excellence.

Course Designer and Co-Director, Helen West commented, “We’re thrilled to be hosting such a talented field at Bicton for what promises to be a spectacular weekend of high-level competition and enjoyment for the whole family.”

Beyond the sporting action, this year sees an evolution of the attractions on offer with displays on both weekend days from the thrilling Knights of Middle England. There is also a vast array of activities on offer including the hugely popular family dog show on Saturday and Sunday, as well as a display from 2024 Crufts Champion Lorna Hayes with her canine partner Nora.

Get your tickets for just £10 and 12 and under go free. Full entries list and live results can be found at www.eventingscores.co.uk. Live action is being streamed by Clip My Horse www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_GB/

Top International Eventing Talent Coming to Poland’s Equestrian Festival Baborówko Next Weekend

By on May 16, 2025 9:30 am -

Photo courtesy of Equestrian Festival Baborówko.

From May 22 to 25, 2025, the 17th edition of the international eventing competition – the Equestrian Festival Baborówko – will take place in Baborówko, Poland. The start lists for the international classes feature 250 horses and riders from 16 countries, competing in five international competitions at the following levels: CCI4-L, CCI4-S, CCI3*-S, CCI2*-S, and CCI1*-Intro**. Among the participants are riders from Germany, Italy, Poland, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Australia, India, and even Turkey.

The highest-level competitions, CCI4-S and CCI4-L**, will showcase top athletes from the international scene, including: Julia Krajewski (GER), Olympic Champion from Tokyo; Felix Vogg (SUI), Olympian; Lara de Liedekerke-Meier (BEL), currently ranked 10th in the FEI World Rankings; and a strong Polish team featuring Paweł Warszawski, Mateusz Kiempa, Daria Kobiernik, and Wiktoria Knap.

In total, more than 300 horses will appear at the event, thanks to high interest in the national CNC100 class, a new addition to the Equestrian Festival Baborówko program. There’s also plenty to take in as a spectator, and you can get a full feel for eventing in Poland in our preview article here.

Photo courtesy of Equestrian Festival Baborówko.

The schedule of competition is as follows:

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Arena A
 10:30 – Dressage CCI3*-S for the ENERGYS Trophy
Arena D1
 12:10 – Dressage CCI1*-Intro for the Gatusos Trophy
Arena D2
 12:00 – Dressage CCI2*-S for the Duon Dystrybucja Trophy

Friday, May 23, 2025

Arena A
 08:30 – Dressage CCI3*-S for the ENERGYS Trophy
 11:10 – Dressage CCI4*-L for the KUHN Agricultural Machinery Trophy, under the patronage of the Wielkopolska Region Government
 14:00 – Dressage CCI4*-S for the Patron of the Event Roman Roszkiewicz Prize
Arena D1
 08:45 – Dressage CNC100 & CNC100-18
Arena D2
 09:00 – Dressage CCI2*-S for the Duon Dystrybucja Trophy

Saturday, May 24, 2025

Cross Country

09:20 – CCI3*-S Cross Country for the ENERGYS Trophy
 13:00 – CCI4*-L Cross-Country for the KUHN Agricultural Machinery Trophy, under the patronage of the Wielkopolska Region Government

14:45 – CCI4*-S Cross Country for the Patron of the Event Roman Roszkiewicz Prize

16:45 – CCI1*-Intro Cross Country for the Gatusos Trophy
Arena A
 08:00 – Show Jumping CCI1*-Intro for the Gatusos Trophy
 10:00 – Show Jumping CCI2*-S for the Duon Dystrybucja Trophy
 17:30 – Show Jumping CNC100 & CNC100-18

Sunday, May 25, 2025

10:00 – CNC100 & CNC100-18 Cross Country

12:15 – CCI2*-S Cross Country for the Duon Dystrybucja Trophy

16:00 – Driving Marathon (Water Obstacle) for the Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture Trophy
Arena A

09:30 – Show Jumping CCI3*-S + Prize Ceremony for the ENERGYS Trophy

12:30 – Show Jumping CCI4*-L + Prize Ceremony for the KUHN Agricultural Machinery Trophy, under the patronage of the Wielkopolska Region Government
 — Prize Ceremony CNC100 & CNC100-18
13:30 – Relay: Carriage & Car Challenge

14:45 – Show Jumping CCI4*-S + Prize Ceremony for the Patron of the Event Roman Roszkiewicz Prize
 — Prize Ceremony CCI2*-S for the Duon Dystrybucja Trophy —

The live stream for this event will be available on ClipMyHorse.TV here. Full entries for the FEI divisions can be found here.

Equestrian Festival Baborówko (Poland): [Website] [Entries] [Live Stream]

Friday News & Notes from Stable View

By on May 16, 2025 12:01 am -

In the midst of all the schedules, scores, and saddle time, here’s your reminder not to lose sight of why we do this: the joy of being with horses. That joy is worth protecting — which is exactly the mission behind the Full Moon Farm Eventing Foundation’s upcoming virtual event.

Join them TODAY, Friday, May 16 at 6 p.m. ET, for a special Mental Health Awareness Month session with Rylee Powers, LGPC from Golden Counseling Services, focused on managing anxiety and showing up as your best self — in and out of the saddle. Equestrians are athletes, and that means tending to our mental strength, too.

You can find the event information here.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Spokane Sport Horse Spring H.T. (WA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Otter Creek H.T. (WI): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Kentucky May-Daze Horse Trials (KY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Hunt Club Farms H.T. (VA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Bouckaert Equestrian H.T. (GA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Fair Hill International Recognized H.T. (MD): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Spring Gulch H.T. (CO): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Course Brook Farm Spring H.T. (MA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring]

Major International Events

Marbach CCI4*-S (Germany): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scoring] [Live Stream on ClipMyHorse.TV]

Belsay International CCI4*-S (UK): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scoring] [Live Stream on H&C+]

News & Reading

“Humbling” is the word Boyd Martin often uses to describe his tenure with Liz Halliday’s Paris horse, Cooley Nutcracker — but the belief has always been there from Liz and her team that Boyd would be able to do right by her should something ever happen to her that impacted her riding. As Liz continues to fight her way through recovery from a traumatic brain injury sustained in 2024, The Chronicle of the Horse caught up with Boyd and Liz’s team. Read the piece here.

Behind every success story is a bustling village of humans who all share a common goal: love the horse, love each other, and stick together no matter what. Badminton champion Ros Canter’s husband, Chris McAleese, embodies this idea. “You have faith in someone, and you can see their talents more than they can,” he says. “I don’t come from any kind of horse background, but you can tell when there’s a bunch of people around and you can spot your wife or partner and the difference in how they present themselves and how they do their job.” Read the full story about Chris and Ros here.

The last time the U.S. won a team gold medal in eventing at the Olympics was in Los Angeles during the 1984 Games. Now, as the next Olympics preps to come through the West coast once more in 2028, let’s dive into a throwback of American Golden Age here.

Horses are always teaching us something, if we’re willing to listen. In her latest column, dressage rider Lauren Sprieser muses on some recent “epiphanies” she’s had both in and out of the saddle. Read them here.

Sponsor Corner: Stable View

Want to read all about the latest from the crew at Stable View? Each month, the team on site puts out a newsletter that catches us up on all of the happenings — horsey and otherwise — at this popular Aiken, SC venue, and you can view it for free here.

Video Break

Preview the new cross country course set by Adrian Ditcham for the CCI4*-S at Belsay International (1) this weekend! Live stream links, etc. can be found in the link list at the beginning of this post.

The 4* course is revealed!

Here it is… a flyover of the much-anticipated CCI4*-S track at Belsay International Horse Trials 💥

All four courses are now open for competitors and connections to walk, spectators are welcome to walk from Friday morning but please stay outside the string where possible.

The courses will be on the CrossCountry App tomorrow!

#belsayhorsetrials

Posted by Belsay International Horse Trials on Thursday, May 15, 2025

Sweden’s Louise Romeike Leads Marbach CCI4*-S After Dressage

By on May 15, 2025 3:00 pm -

The following press release has been translated from German; please forgive any translation errors!

Louise Romeike and Caspian 15. Photo by Jan Frohne for Eventing Marbach.

At precisely 9 a.m. on Thursday, the opening day of the 2025 International Marbach Eventing, 33-year-old Fouaad Mirza entered Dressage Arena 1 aboard his Holsteiner gelding Camouflage. The arena, known as the “Marbach Stallion Parade Arena,” was inaugurated in 1978. The Indian rider, who won both individual and team silver medals at the 2018 Asian Games, is trained by Sandra Auffarth of Ganderkesee-Bergedorf, a 2012 Olympic team gold and individual bronze medalist in London. Mirza and Camouflage earned 37.7 points, placing them 26th after dressage.

Louise Romeike of Sweden topped the leaderboard in the CCI4-S*, sponsored by iWEST Tiernahrung. Out of 32 starters in the CCI4*-S, Romeike, who lives and trains in Fockbek near Rendsburg, rode the 11-year-old gelding Caspian, registered with the German Horse Breeding Federation, to a score of 25.0 points. She now leads heading into Saturday’s cross country phase. At last year’s Olympic Games in Paris, Romeike and Caspian were part of the Swedish team that finished sixth, alongside teammates Sofia Sjöborg and Frida Andersen. At Marbach, Sjöborg is currently 10th with Govalent, while Andersen is tied for 11th with both Box Leo and Stonehavens Baby Blue, each on 32.5 points.

Currently in second place is two-time Olympic team champion Ingrid Klimke (Münster), riding the 13-year-old Westphalian mare Equistros Siena Just Do It, on 26.9 points. She is followed by Lea Siegl of Denmark, who posted a 28.0 aboard a 13-year-old gelding from the Brandenburg-Anhalt breeding association.

With his second horse, the 14-year-old Holsteiner mare Dajara, Fouaad Mirza sits in fourth on 28.7, narrowly ahead of Michael Jung (Horb), who is fifth with fischersolution, a 9-year-old gelding of Polish breeding, on 28.9.

Michael Jung Leads CCI2*-S

Michael Jung and Ginster. Photo by Jan Frohne for Eventing Marbach.

Following the dressage phase of the CCI4* competition, two additional dressage tests took place on Thursday in the “Marbach Stallion Parade Arena”: the first part of the CCI2-S*, sponsored by Outletcity Metzingen, and the CCI1-Intro*, sponsored by fischer.

In the CCI2-S*, after 22 of the total 72 starters on the first day of the International Marbach Eventing, Michael Jung holds first and second place. The four-time Olympic champion from Horb earned 24.7 points with his seven-year-old stallion Ginster, and 26.3 points aboard the nine-year-old Polish-bred gelding Safran.

Currently sitting in third place is Libussa Lübbeke with the 14-year-old Holsteiner mare Darcy on a score of 27.8. Lübbeke, from Warendorf, was the winner of the U25 Förderpreis at Marbach in 2024.

In the CCI1-Intro*, after 18 of 73 total competitors, Sophie Grieger (TG Haupt- und Landesgestüt Schwaiganger) is in the lead. With her Bavarian mare Confetti, she scored 28.8 points, putting her ahead of Vanessa Bölting (Münster), who earned 29.4 points with her Westphalian mare Lady Giacomo.

The second part of the dressage phase for both divisions begins tomorrow, Friday at 9 a.m. local time. Full scores, scheduling, and live stream access can be found below.

Marbach CCI4*-S (Germany): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scoring] [Live Stream on ClipMyHorse.TV]