It’s one of the best times of year: vacation season for all of our hard-working five-star horses! Burghley’s social media team posted the above collection of this year’s top finishers enjoying their well-earned holidays. Eventers do it better, that’s for sure!
Cross-country took center stage on Saturday at The Event at TerraNova (Myakka City, FL), as FEI competitors tackled the venue’s expansive tracks and tested their horses’ bravery, stamina, and athleticism.
Alec Lochore’s three- and four-star courses affected the leaderboard across several divisions. While some horse-and-rider combinations climbed significantly in the standings, two held onto their dressage leads heading into Sunday’s final phase.
In the B&D Builders CCI4*-L, Alyssa Phillips and Rockett 19 extended their lead with one of only two double-clear cross-country rounds, staying atop the leaderboard with their impressive dressage score of 23.3.
Meg Pellegrini and Falcon Crown Z also delivered a double-clear round to take sole possession of the lead in The Estates at TerraNova/Laughlin Tanner Group CCI3*-L on a score of 26.8.
Meanwhile, the Leibold Irrigation CCI4*-S concluded today with Alexa Thompson and Api du Libaire reclaiming the lead they held after dressage. The pair slipped to second overnight after incurring four jumping faults and 2.8 time penalties in Friday’s show jumping. However, they delivered the division’s fastest cross-country round, jumping clear and adding just 6.4 time penalties to secure the victory on a final score of 40.7.
Sunday marks the final day of competition at The Event at TerraNova. Long-format FEI competitors will return for the final horse inspection before tackling the concluding show jumping phase, while national-level competitors will wrap up their weekend with cross-country.
With just 1.5 points separating the top three on the CCI3*-L leaderboard, and Phillips holding a 7.4-point advantage in the CCI4*-L, tomorrow’s show jumping promises an exciting conclusion to four days of international competition at TerraNova Equestrian Center.
Show jumping begins at 10:00 am EST with the CCI3*-L. You can watch for free on the TerraNova YouTube channel here.
[Subject to change – Current schedule can be found here]
Alexa Thompson and Api du Libaire Turn a Remarkable Comeback Into Victory in the Leibold Irrigation CCI4*-S
Alexa Thompson and Api du Libaire. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Alexa Thompson and Api du Libaire claimed the Leibold Irrigation CCI4*-S at The Event at TerraNova after being the only competitor making the optimum time over Alec Lochore’s challenging track.
Thompson’s victory also propelled her to the top of the 2026–2027 US Equestrian Open of Eventing series standings with 55 points.
The Event at TerraNova served as the third of 22 scheduled qualifiers in the series, which awards points to riders based on their placings in designated CCI4*-S competitions throughout the season. Each rider’s six best results count toward the overall standings.
Having earned 15 points with Api du Libaire at Bouckaert Farm in October, Thompson added another 40 points with her Leibold Irrigation CCI4*-S win. The series culminates in the US Equestrian Open of Eventing Final at Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia, in October 2027.
But this CCI4*-S victory was particularly meaningful for Thompson, as there was a time when she wasn’t sure Api du Libaire would ever return to competition.
Thompson acquired Api two years ago from her mentor, trainer and close friend, French international event rider Maxime Livio, who had campaigned the horse through the four-star long level.
However, just two months into their new partnership, an unexpected trailer accident left Api with a serious injury and an uncertain future.
“He had a trailer accident that we thought he was never going to come back from,” Thompson says. “Everything that he’s done since has been a blessing and a surprise. He jumped for the first time since his injury a year ago this month, so even having him here was a huge treat. I feel really fortunate he came back from it like he has.”
The pair made their competition debut together at Preliminary level at Rocking Horse in March of this year before progressing through the three-star level. With each successful outing, Thompson became more comfortable with Api.
“Every time we went out, things felt like they were clicking and we were getting along well, so we got to do more,” Thompson says. “We did the three-star long at Tryon, and he was really good there. I called Max afterward, and he said that it was time to give it a go at the four-star level.”
Although Api already had extensive experience at the upper levels, Thompson has spent much of the season adapting her riding style to suit him. That work paid off in Friday’s dressage phase, when the pair earned a 27.5 to take the early lead.
“Api is very much his own person,” Thompson says. “I’ve been trying to learn him, and we haven’t been together in terms of competing for very long. Our dressage at every level has slowly gotten better. At the beginning of the partnership, I was trying to figure out what to do, when, and how. It’s like flying a really nice aircraft that I don’t know what buttons to push.”
Making this weekend even more special, Livio flew in from France to help Thompson prepare for the competition. Having Api’s former rider on the ground proved invaluable.
“Dressage for Api with Max is something that comes quite easily. Max did a really good job with him and had a great record with him,” Thompson says. “For me, it’s been scoring in the mid-30s the first time out at each level and then a little better the next time, so scoring the 27 here was really exciting. Max knows Api inside and out and was able to help me put the pieces together.”
Maxime Livio (FRA) and Api du Libaire compete at the 2022 FEI Eventing World Championships in Pratoni, Italy. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
But Friday afternoon’s show jumping presented a different set of challenges. Api’s large stride required Thompson to carefully regulate his step through the related distances, making it difficult to maintain an efficient pace. One rail down on the outside line and 2.8 time penalties brought their score to 34.3, dropping them into second behind Tim Bourke and DHI Kevin G.
“He’s such a big horse, and he’s very different from any horse that I’ve ever ridden. I knew that I was going to have to really adapt my natural tendencies and style of riding,” Thompson says. “We were a little slow, and I made a goofy choice jumping down the outside line and had one rail down—it was very much my rail. But he was really good and tried really hard, and I learned from it, which is all I can ask for.”
On Saturday’s cross-country, Thompson focused on keeping her approach simple and trusting the instincts she developed during her early years of riding.
“I’m the kind of person that if I can overthink something, I will happily do it,” Thompson says. “I grew up riding in my backyard, so if I can keep things really simple and ride off of my instinct, it normally works better than if I think too hard about it. Having Max here again was really helpful because he reinforced what I already knew about Api and made me trust my gut and my instincts.”
That trust proved vital at one of the course’s questions before the final water complex, where Api’s experience helped the pair navigate a less-than-perfect approach.
“There were moments on cross country that maybe weren’t the most beautiful, and I think I almost fell off before the last water,” Thompson says. “We jumped the mound to a big table, and I didn’t really make any decision. Api, the legend that he is, really took care of us both there. Even though some things weren’t 100% perfect, it confirmed our partnership and made me trust him more. It makes me really excited for the future.”
Having first competed at TerraNova two years ago, Thompson was delighted to celebrate such a meaningful milestone victory at a venue she has come to love.
Rory Frangos and DHI Rocketman. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
“The venue is unbelievable, and the effort that everybody puts into it is truly exceptional,” Thompson says. “You see people taking care of the grounds all the time. Anything you could dream of, they have here. It’s really comfortable for the horses, and for being such a beautiful and elaborate venue, it actually feels really homey, too. The horses are really relaxed here. It’s also great for people to come, watch the sport, and enjoy it. This is what we wish every event could be like.”
Rory Frangos and DHI Rocketman climbed significantly from ninth place after show jumping to finish second on 51.6.
Emily Mastervich and Posh Quality moved up the leaderboard from sixth to third, finishing on 54.4.
Alyssa Phillips and Rockett 19 Extend Their Lead in the B&D Builders CCI4*-L
Alyssa Phillips and Rockett 19. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Alyssa Phillips and Rockett 19 extended their lead in the B&D Builders CCI4*-L today with one of only two double-clear cross-country rounds. The pair completed Alec Lochore’s track in 9:57 to keep their dressage score at 23.3, giving them a 7.4-point advantage heading into Sunday’s final phase.
Today’s cross-country performance was a significant milestone in Phillips’ partnership with Rockett 19. Throughout this first season competing at the four-star level, Phillips has focused on developing the talented horse’s confidence and strength. Their cross-country round today marked the first time the pair made the optimum time at the level.
Her goal was to put everything they had worked on throughout the season into practice.
“I really tried to lean on all the training that we’ve done and just try to have a really fluid, smooth round and save all the seconds that I can,” Phillips says. “He was fantastic, and he felt full of run. He accelerated when I asked him to and came back when I asked him to. I’m really thrilled with him, and it’s the first time he’s made the time at the level.”
Nearly every combination on the course rode as Phillips had hoped after waking the course. The one exception came at the brush table on the mound, leading to two skinnies just before entering the arena, where Phillips adjusted her plan after getting a different distance than anticipated.
“I got a little bit of a deep distance in there, and so I just ended up waiting and doing four strides instead, and it worked out well,” Phillips says. “Everything else rode according to plan.”
Alyssa Phillips and Rockett 19. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Rockett’s growing confidence at the level has also helped Phillips develop a more efficient rhythm and jump on cross-country.
“He’s a very good jumper, but he has a tendency to overjump the cross-country jumps,” Phillips says. “Now, since he’s a little bit more established at the level, he’s getting more comfortable, so he’s not skyrocketing over all of them, which is nice. That’s why I try to stay fluid and smooth, because smooth is fast.”
Heading into Sunday’s show jumping, Phillips is pleased with how Rockett is feeling and is looking forward to tackling a phase in which he typically excels.
“He’s a really phenomenal jumper, but I haven’t even thought a lick about tomorrow, if I’m being honest,” Phillips says. “But I’m excited to get out there and hope for the best. And if something happens, we’ll take away that homework and go work on it this winter.”
While leading a four-star competition heading into the final phase can bring considerable pressure, Phillips says she tends to thrive in those situations.
“I don’t really think about the pressure. I think a lot of people who know me would say that I am an anomaly when it comes to the pressure department,” Phillips says. “I ride better under pressure. I just have to do my job during the final phase, because he knows his job.”
Sharon White and Jaguars Duende. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Waylon Roberts and Fernhill Salt Lake delivered the division’s other double-clear round, climbing from fourth to second on their dressage score of 30.7.
Sharon White and Jaguars Duende held on to third place after jumping clear and adding 4.4 time penalties to bring their score to 34.9.
Meg Pellegrini and Falcon Crown Z Maintain Their Lead in The Estates at TerraNova/Laughlin Tanner Group CCI3*-L
Meg Pellegrini and Falcon Crown Z. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Meg Pellegrini and Falcon Crown Z maintained the lead in The Estates at TerraNova/Laughlin Tanner Group CCI3*-L today with a double-clear cross-country round. The pair finished in 8:56, maintaining their dressage score of 26.8 heading into Sunday’s show jumping.
After walking Alec Lochore’s cross-country course with her trainer, Will Coleman, Pellegrini felt confident the track would test their strong partnership while building on the pair’s recent successes.
“Coming off of my last few runs with Falcon, I knew that this would be a good test for his stamina and his fitness,” Pellegrini says. “I hoped that all the technical questions would jump really nicely, and thankfully, they did. He was honestly just a really good boy today, and everything rode well. The ground and weather were perfect—it couldn’t have been a better day for cross-country.”
But learning how to manage the pressure of going into cross-country as the overnight leader has been an important part of her development as a competitor. Today, however, she embraced the challenge of maintaining her lead.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve gone into cross-country day leading with this horse, and so I’ve gotten a bit used to the feeling of that pressure,” Pellegrini says. “I’ve had to learn how to take that pressure away and figure out what is the best situation for the horse I have today. And today, I went into it knowing I need to make the time. I handled that pressure on myself and on him to perform, and it was a good feeling.”
Before leaving the starting box, Pellegrini had a few familiar words during a pep talk with her partner.
“I always whisper in his ear before we go out of the box, ‘If you’re good, I’ll be good, too’” she says. “It’s a really nice feeling to know that we executed today, and he really showed up to play.”
One highlight of Pellegrini’s round was navigating TerraNova’s signature Mount Myakka combination. Although she had walked the imposing drop during last year’s competition, today marked her first time jumping it.
After watching several competitors navigate the combination, Pellegrini debated whether to ride forward for three strides or take a more conservative approach and add a stride. Falcon ultimately helped her make that decision.
“He dropped down and just saw the distance, and it was such a good feeling,” Pellegrini says. “He went down and did eight to a three, which I wasn’t planning at all. But I sort of just sat there and let him operate, and he was fantastic on that question.”
Another memorable moment came toward the end of the course at a large table to an angled brush near the barns. During their course walk, Coleman had cautioned Pellegrini not to underestimate the combination.
“Will had said, ‘Don’t let this catch you off guard, because it totally could. You’re at the end of the course. You and your horse might be a bit tired. Pay attention and really focus on this one,’” Pellegrini recalls. “As I was coming up to it, I was thinking to myself, ‘Okay, I’m good on the clock. Everything is good—I can just get through this no problem.’ Then he came up to it, and it kind of impressed him, and it reminded me to think, ‘Okay, Meg, you’ve got to just keep going and keep riding.’ But he did it really well, and then the last two jumps came up nicely.”
Heading into Sunday’s final phase, Pellegrini is encouraged not only by Falcon’s performance so far, but also by how well he recovered after cross-country and the preparation they have put into this final phase.
“He’s usually really good in the show jumping. We do a lot of show jumping practice at home, and we go to a lot of jumper shows,” Pellegrini says. “He came off the course, and he looked really fresh still. It took him about five minutes to recover, and even now he just looks like he hasn’t really done anything today, which is really exciting.”
With a one-point lead heading into Sunday, Pellegrini is looking forward to giving Falcon one final opportunity to showcase his strengths.
“I haven’t walked the show jumping course yet, but I know that they’re going to build something beautiful as always. I’ve got my fingers crossed that he is ready to jump clean again tomorrow!”
Karl Slezak and Herald de la Rose. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Karl Slezak and Herald De La Rose climbed from fourth to second with a double-clear round, keeping their dressage score at 27.8. Morgan Booth and Cold Red Rum moved from sixth to third on a score of 28.3.
With just 1.5 points separating the top three, Sunday’s final phase will leave little room for error.
One of Adelaide’s most unique features is its location in the heart of the city. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.
2027 will be the lightest five-star season the sport has seen since Covid, with earlier news of the Maryland 5 Star’s uncertain future and now the announcement of a “gap” year for the southern hemisphere’s Adelaide Equestrian Festival to allow for the completion of the Adelaide Circuit Redevelopment Project. The Project constitutes a $96 million build of a new Australian Moto GP track on the Adelaide Park Lands.
We’d had an inkling that this news was coming, but it’s certainly not all doom and gloom in the southern hemisphere. Most importantly, the Adelaide Equestrian Festival announced a landmark five-year funding deal with the Malinauskas Labor Government (the current state government of South Australia) that will commence in 2028 and ramp all the way up through the 2032 Olympics, which will be hosted in Brisbane. Adelaide Equestrian Festival and the Adelaide Park Lands are not the equestrian site for 2032 — the designated venue has been tapped as Toowoomba, located in Queensland and nearer to Brisbane itself. It’s the hope of the driving forces behind the Festival that their new funding deal and the ability to improve the event’s infrastructure will continue to drive international interest in the lead up to the Olympics.
What’s complicating things for 2027 is the construction of a new motorcycle racing track for the Australian Moto GP. Below is an image that shows the 2025 cross country track (white) and the anticipated Moto GP track (red). Please note that this map is not 100% to scale but is intended for general visualization purposes only.
I had spoken with Adelaide’s newly-designated five-star designer Clayton Fredericks at Galway Downs last month, and he’d shown me a quick sketch of what his design for 2027 would look like. One of the biggest challenges, he told me, was that the construction of the GP track was making it difficult to create crossings and otherwise work around security fencing that surrounded the build. It wasn’t a huge surprise, then, to find out this week that the event would skip a year to allow the GP track construction to finish in full. The race itself will take place in November of 2027 and will be the first modern city circuit track in Moto GP history. It’s a cool concept for racing fans, as the track will harken back to its Formula One predecessor that ran from 1985-1995.
An image showing the plan for trees to be cut down ahead of the Moto GP track construction. Source: Crash.net.
The GP track construction hasn’t been without its own controversy: the installation of the track meant the axing or relocation of nearly 400 mature trees from the Park Lands. The tree felling began just yesterday, to the ire of local environmental advocacy groups. The government has pledged to replace the trees at a ratio of 10 to 1 within the Park Lands, but a “Lungs of the City” campaign against the plans was launched in response.
As a part of this $96 million build, the equestrian portion of the Park Lands will be left with a newly-added water complex that will add more options for Clayton and his building team from 2028 on.
The 2026 Adelaide Equestrian Festival attracted nearly 40,000 spectators and drove an estimated $14.8 million in economic activity. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.
Adelaide Equestrian Festival Deputy Chair Karlene Maywald said the decision not to stage the Adelaide Equestrian Festival in 2027 was not made lightly.
“We are incredibly appreciative of the efforts of the State Government, South Australian Motor Sport Board and City of Adelaide, who have worked collaboratively with us to explore every possible option to deliver the Festival in 2027,” Karlene said in a press release. “However, after careful consideration, the Board determined that the most responsible decision was to focus our efforts on delivering an exceptional return in 2028. The State Government’s landmark five-year commitment provides the certainty to take a longer-term view of the Festival’s future. We are confident the additional planning time will allow us to deliver our most outstanding Festival yet, setting a new benchmark for international equestrian sport in Australia as we build towards Brisbane 2032.”
Tickets for the 2027 Festival had not yet gone on sale, and it’ll be all systems go from 2028. What remains to be seen is how the GP track (parts of which will also be a fixture on the grounds through at least 2032, per the contract with Moto GP) will coexist with the cross country plans going forward. The Park Lands do not host equestrian facilities year-round — the course build only happens in the days leading up to the event itself — so there will be some mobility in terms of how the land is used with both sports in play.
The Adelaide Equestrian Festival will return April 20-23, 2028.
Will Coleman and Diabolo. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.
It’ll be no surprise to the general eventing fan that Diarado tops the WBFSH Sire Rankings once more in 2026, earning the title for the fifth consecutive year. A prolific sire both in eventing as well as show jumping, Diarado is half of the breeding brilliance behind horses like this year’s Kentucky winner Diabolo (Will Coleman) and Tom McEwen’s Paris Olympic + World Championships double gold winner JL Dublin. Diarado also ranks in the top-35 of jumping sires for 2026.
Jaguar Mail returns to claim the second rung on the ladder for another year as another prolific sire who’s got quite a few progeny coming up the levels perennially. Austin O’Connor’s Colorado Blue is one famous Jaguar Mail offspring with a recent five-star win (Maryland – 2023). Moving up to third this year after earning fourth last year is Upsilon, who’s highest-ranked offspring this year was Benjamin Massie’s Filao de Perle. You can view the full rankings for 2026 here.
Eventing Horse and Rider Safety Commission, the joint safety initiative between the FEI and British Eventing, has put a call out for public comment as it works to understand the state of eventing and safety today. Please note that this survey is intended for UK residents. Have your say
Michael Mronz, longtime General Manager of the Aachen Reitturnier GmbH (ART) and a leader for much of CHIO Aachen’s equestrian legacy will step away from his position next year. A clear succession plan was laid out as a part of this decision process, and the role will pass to Phillip Erbers, who has been involved with both ART as well as the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein (ALRV) (the nonprofit that organizes the annual World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen). Read more.
Researchers at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS), in College Station, have identified a protein that could help change the accuracy of testing for strangles. Read more here.
The Equine Research Collaboration Network (ERCN) has launched its free, searchable database at equineresearchnetwork.org. The platform enables equine researchers worldwide to register, submit descriptive metadata for their studies and biological resources, and connect with colleagues whose work complements their own. Read more.
Alyssa Phillips and Rockett 19. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Dressage concluded today at The Event at TerraNova for the CCI4*-L, CCI3*-L, CCI2*-L and CCI1*-L divisions.
Horses and riders in those divisions now head into Saturday’s cross-country—where clear rounds could significantly reshape the standings.
The national-level horse trials also began today with dressage, bringing even more competitors to TerraNova Equestrian Center for a full weekend of eventing
Competitors in the three- and four-star divisions will tackle courses designed by Alec Lochore. Mogie Bearden-Muller designed the courses for horses and riders in the remaining divisions throughout the weekend.
The long-format FEI competitors will return Sunday morning for the final horse inspection before heading into the show jumping arena, where the weekend’s international long-format winners will be crowned.
In the B&D Builders CCI4*-L, Alyssa Phillips and Rockett 19 took over the lead today with an impressive dressage score of 23.3, putting them 4.6 points ahead of overnight leaders Ema Klugman and RF Redfern, who now sit second on 27.9.
Phillips, who has partnered with Rockett 19 since January 2025, moved him up to the four-star level at TerraNova this spring before competing in their first CCI4*-L at The Event at Rebecca Farm in July. After Rockett bumped his leg in his stall following dressage at Morven Park this fall, Phillips rerouted him to TerraNova for their second four-star long event.
Throughout his first season at the level, Phillips has prioritized building Rockett’s confidence.
“He’s such a careful horse that I’ve really wanted to take my time with him and make sure he’s confident,” Phillips says. “I’ve switched him back and forth between the four-star and running an Intermediate just to make sure he’s super happy, because that is my number one priority with him.”
His dressage performance this week reflected Rockett’s progress. However, a moment of excitement just before the extended canter gave Phillips a brief scare.
“He saw something during the left lead canter. He just grew five inches, and off he went down the long side,” Phillips says. “I was like, ‘Oh, no, you need to come back to me now.’ And he did. He was so obedient, and he did the most beautiful extended canter after that. He’s a very good dressage horse, but he can be a little tricky sometimes, so I’m very, very proud of him today.”
A regular competitor at TerraNova, Phillips also appreciates the venue’s continued investment in the sport—particularly the work that goes into preparing the cross-country footing.
“I come to pretty much every TerraNova event, and it’s just improved every single time,” Phillips says. “I’m super thankful and grateful to the whole team at TerraNova for making such a big effort to always strive for even more, because this place is really incredible.”
With a substantial lead heading into Saturday’s cross-country, she’s pleased with how Rockett’s first season at four-star has unfolded and looks forward to building on that experience.
“He’s gained so much strength over the year. He’s a different horse now than he was at the beginning of the year in all positive aspects,” Phillips says.
Meg Pellegrini and Falcon Crown Z Lead the CCI3*-L After Dressage
Meg Pellegrini and Falcon Crown Z. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
EN Editor’s Note: Meg Pellegrini was tied for the lead in this division with Zach Brandt and Ok Van ‘T Buxushof
After two days of dressage in The Estates at TerraNova/Laughlin Tanner Group CCI3*-L, Meg Pellegrini and Falcon Crown Z have emerged as the first phase leaders heading into Saturday’s cross-country phase.
The Event at TerraNova holds particular significance for Pellegrini and Falcon Crown Z, who made their four-star debut here last November. A year later, the pair has returned to cap off a season of growth and partnership-building.
“I’ve had Falcon for almost three years now, and we’ve really been developing our partnership together at the three-star level,” Pellegrini says. “We stepped up to four-star at this event last year, and I wanted a good qualification score at the three-star level and thought this would be a good place for it.”
Pellegrini’s journey to the upper levels has been one of patience and perseverance. After a challenging period in her riding career, she chose to slow down, rebuild her confidence, and prioritize training at home instead of rushing toward her next competitive goal.
Working with Will and Katie Coleman helped her develop a deeper understanding of her horses, both mentally and physically. That move ultimately played an important role in preparing the pair for their promising future at the upper levels.
“We spent a lot of time at the three-star level, just making sure we had all of our ducks in a row before stepping up to the four-star level,” Pellegrini says. “We had a couple of little blips in the spring, but all of it has just been a great learning opportunity for me and for him, and I think it’s only made our partnership stronger. He’s a really great friend now, to be honest. We love each other, and he’s such a good boy. Now every event is just another way for us to continue building this partnership.”
Pellegrini and Falcon Crown Z have already enjoyed a particularly strong finish to their 2026 season. The pair placed second in Open Intermediate at the American Eventing Championships. Then, they competed at Morven Park International, where Pellegrini achieved another long-standing goal: competing Falcon in the CCI4*-S there.
Their cross-country performance at Morven Park gave Pellegrini even more confidence heading into this weekend. But Saturday’s course at TerraNova will present a very different set of questions.
“He had a great run around the cross-country at Morven, and I think it just made everything clear that we’re on the right path,” Pellegrini says. “I’m excited to see how he’s going to be tomorrow because, coming off that event and coming here, it’s completely different. There’s not a single similarity—in all the good ways. I’m just curious to see how he’s going to handle it.”
A regular competitor at TerraNova’s spring and fall events, Pellegrini also sees the venue as an ideal place to end the competitive season with her horses.
“I love TerraNova. We try to come every year in the spring and in the fall. It’s just a great event to have all of our horses at,” Pellegrini says. “The cross-country is always beautiful, the rings are beautiful, and it’s so well-maintained. They do such a great job organizing it, the barns are phenomenal, and the horses just love it here. It’s a nice way to wrap up the season—and we can always rely on this event to be a great last one.”
After this weekend, Falcon Crown Z will enjoy a well-deserved break before Pellegrini begins preparing him for the 2027 season. Her goals for Falcon include a potential run in the CCI4*-S at the Kentucky Three-Day Event next spring, an under-25 championship, and a four-star event as their partnership continues to develop.
“I believe he’s got what it takes to be a really world-class horse,” Pellegrini says.
Tim Bourke and DHI Kevin G Take the CCI4*-S Lead After Show Jumping
Tim Bourke and DHI Kevin G. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
In the Leibold Irrigation CCI4*-S, show jumping significantly changed the leaderboard, with Tim Bourke and DHI Kevin G climbing from third after dressage to take the lead on their original score of 33.2 after delivering one of only three double-clear rounds.
The division also serves as the third qualifier for the 2027 US Equestrian Open of Eventing, adding another layer of excitement to Saturday’s final phase of the CCI4*-S.
Dressage leaders Alexa Thompson and Api du Libaire slipped to second after adding 4 jumping and 2.8 time penalties, bringing their score to 34.3.
Emilie Mudd-Guy and Quite Nice 11 also moved up the standings, climbing from sixth to third with a double-clear round to remain on their dressage score of 35.3. Megan Loughnane and Lynton delivered the division’s other double-clear round, jumping from 12th to fourth on 40.1 heading into Saturday’s cross-country.
A Test of Power, Precision and Bravery: Alec Lochore Previews Saturday’s Cross-Country
With dressage complete for the long-format divisions, attention now turns to Saturday’s cross-country competition. Internationally renowned course designer Alec Lochore has incorporated several new questions into this year’s three- and four-star tracks at The Event at TerraNova.
Lochore, who has also been selected to design the cross-country course for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, offered a closer look at the courses and some of the questions he hopes will test horses and riders this weekend.
With TerraNova’s predominantly flat terrain, Lochore has utilized the venue’s constructed mounds and other terrain features to create questions that require riders to adjust their pace while still maintaining an efficient gallop throughout the course.
“It’s notoriously not an easy place to make the time on cross country, particularly at the higher levels, so the riders will have to keep up the pace,” Lochore says. “I’m trying to test the rider’s control, but I also want to test their bravery. I want the horses to gallop—I like the horses to be going forward at the end.”
One of Lochore’s priorities when designing this course was establishing a forward rhythm early on. This allows horses to settle into their galloping pace before tackling the more technical questions.
The four-star track opens with several substantial fences, followed by the first combination at fence five—two large oxers, one over a ditch, set about five strides apart.
“I always like the horses to have to jump big jumps early on in the course,” Lochore says. “I want to get that flow and get the riders into a nice rhythm.”
Among the most visually impressive questions on the course is the aptly named Mount Myakka, which features a different combination this year.
While last year’s question tested horses and riders over two angled fences, this year’s design presents a different challenge. After negotiating a large drop, horses must generate enough power to clear a substantial spread fence at the bottom before tackling a narrow brush wedge that demands accuracy and control.
“They need that power and control after having done the big, scary jump off the side of the earth,” Lochore says. “The horses seem to be able to read this really well. It’s what we call a rider frightener. You always want the jump to be clear to the horses and what they’ve got to do to get across. They’re galloping toward this at 25 miles an hour for the first time, whereas the riders have likely walked the course three or four times. So, the placement of the fences and the decoration have got to make it clear for the horse.”
The water complexes will also present interesting technical challenges, with Lochore emphasizing what happens once horses are in the water rather than simply testing their willingness to jump in.
For the CCI4*-L competitors, one water question features a single narrow fence, requiring riders to establish the correct balance, energy and line without another jumping effort to help prepare the horse. The CCI4*-S competitors will approach the same fence as part of a more extensive combination.
“At this level, the horses and riders shouldn’t have a problem just jumping into water because they’ve been doing that since they were at Beginner Novice,” Lochore says. “The test is about what actually happens once you’re in the water. Here, I’ve concentrated them on a single effort to test their skills of balance and their control through the corner.”
Another new combination, situated on a mound near the VIP hospitality area, will ask riders to maintain their balance and control through three jumping efforts. After navigating the approach to the top of the mound and jumping a substantial first fence, competitors must negotiate subtle drops and a bending line to the final element.
“It’s about the power they create over the first jump and then just keeping control,” Lochore explains. “The riders have got to sit up and keep the control all the way through there, and hopefully it will ride really smoothly.”
This year, both the three- and four-star tracks will also take competitors into the main arena, bringing these questions closer to spectators in the pavilion.
Even as the finish line comes into sight, Lochore cautions that riders must stay focused through the final fences.
“An angled brush fence just three fences from home will demand particular attention from the CCI4*-L competitors after nearly 10 minutes of galloping,” Lochore says.
Above all, Lochore hopes competitors will leave Saturday’s cross-country with a positive experience.
“I wish all the riders and all the horses a safe and happy passage on course,” he says, “and I hope that they come back with big smiles on their faces!”
Seven prospective host cities have been identified by the International Olympic Committee for the 2036 Games. These Summer Olympics fill follow the 2032 edition in Brisbane, Australia.
The seven NOCs that will be considered by the IOC as potential hosts of the 2036 Olympics are, in alphabetical order: Germany, Hungary, India, Qatar, Republic of Korea, South Africa and Türkiye.
Olympic hosts are elected during a vote by the IOC Members at an IOC Session that’s yet to be scheduled. Most likely, the vote will take place in 2029 for this decision. But between now and then, more in-depth review of each bid will be undertaken and the IOC will eventually narrow down to a list of Preferred Hosts.
One legendary partner for Kirsty Chabert has passed on at the age of 23. Look back on an incredible career here.
Utah’s Department of Agriculture and Food is collecting alfalfa samples to submit to the FDA after several horses fell ill and died. More on this here.
Britain’s official Thoroughbred aftercare charity has released an ambitious strategic plan dedicated to improving lifetime traceability. Read the ins and outs of the strategy here.
Sponsor Corner: Stable View
Photo by Christine Quinn.
Today is the last day to submit your entry for the 2026 Stable View Eventing Academy Championship, taking place November 20-22! While one more Eventing Academy remains this year (December 11-13), this November edition is the one where over $20,000 in prizes will be awarded to the eventual champions. It’s a weekend of learning, development and community and you won’t want to miss out! See more and register here.
Equestrian Events, Inc. is giving fans the chance to start a new tradition or carry on a favorite with tickets to the 50th anniversary of the Kentucky Three-Day Event! Entries are currently open for a huge giveaway ahead of the 2027 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (April 22-25, 2027). Here are the packages up for grabs in this giveaway:
Saturday for Two: Two Saturday Grounds Admission tickets and a Preferred Parking pass
Saturday for Four: Four Saturday Grounds Admission tickets and a Preferred Parking pass
Four Days for Two: Two four-day Grounds Admission tickets and a Preferred Parking pass
Four Days for Four: Four four-day Grounds Admission tickets and a four-day Premium Parking pass
Members Pavilion for Two: Two Members Pavilion tickets and a Preferred Parking Pass
Additionally, if you’ve already purchased 2027 tickets via the pre-sale or the Early Bird period, you’re eligible for one additional entry into the giveaway! Learn more and submit your entry here.
Fear is a human concept. Experiencing it doesn’t mean there is something fundamentally wrong with you – it’s a part of our genetic make-up. Coach Daniel Stewart explains more here.
A stirrup designed for junior riders has been voluntarily recalled by its manufacturer, LeMieux, due to safety concerns. The stirrup was found to be liable to catch a rider’s boot even when the safety mechanism was detached. The adult version of the stirrup is reportedly not affected. Read more.
Ever been curious how stunts involving horses are pulled off? Well if you’re going to attend the London International Horse Show next month, you’ll get to learn from some of the best in the business. The Devil’s Horsemen have appeared in works like Game of Thrones and will be putting on a Stunt Riding 101 Masterclass on December 19! Read more.
Noseband tightness seems to be trending downward after one study involving over 500 horses competing at British dressage competitions was completed. Find out more on the results here.
A lengthy horse abuse saga involving Canadian dressage riders Evi Strasser and Tanya Strasser-Shostak has ended up a decision from FEI to suspend one and reinstate the other. Both had faced charges involving horse abuse going back to 2018. Read more.
Morgan Booth and Cold Red Rum trot up for The Estates at TerraNova/Loughlin Tanner Group CCI3*-L. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
The Event at TerraNova officially began Wednesday afternoon at TerraNova Equestrian Center in Myakka City, Florida, as immaculately groomed horses and elegantly dressed riders gathered for the first horse inspection ahead of four days of international eventing competition.
The first horse inspection marked the start of competition preparations for the CCI4*-L and CCI3*-L divisions, with horses presented before veterinary officials and the ground jury for a final fitness assessment ahead of Thursday’s dressage phase.
With the opening inspection complete, competition gets underway with FEI dressage on Thursday, November 12.
Long-format competitors will then tackle cross-country on Saturday, November 14, with the 3* and 4* courses designed by Alec Lochore, who has also been selected to design the cross-country course for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Competitors will return Sunday morning for the final horse inspection and concluding show jumping phase.
Behind the Cross-Country Course: Balancing Safety and a Unique Design at TerraNova
While Alec Lochore designs the CCI4*-L and CCI3*-L cross-country courses, fellow course designer Mogie Bearden-Muller oversees the CCI2*-L, CCI1*-Intro, and national-level courses, from Preliminary down to Starter.
She offered insight into the extensive planning, creativity, and safety considerations behind TerraNova’s cross-country tracks.
Unlike venues that incorporate significant natural elevation changes, TerraNova’s predominantly flat terrain requires designers to find creative ways to challenge horses and riders.
Over the years, the venue has invested in an extensive inventory of fences and constructed terrain features, including mounds and the aptly named Mount Myakka, to introduce additional technical questions.
“TerraNova is traditionally not an easy cross-country course at any level,” Bearden-Muller says. “There’s not a lot of terrain, so we use more turns. We’ve done a lot of groundwork here, building mounds and a mountain to create new and unique questions for the horses and riders.”
The venue’s expansive layout also provides opportunities to continually develop new tracks. This year, Lochore is incorporating a lengthy loop of the property in both directions for the three- and four-star courses, while Bearden-Muller has continued to find creative ways to utilize the remaining terrain for the other divisions.
However, one of the venue’s most impressive features may be less obvious to spectators: its extensive use of frangible safety technology. Bearden-Muller believes TerraNova may have one of the largest inventories of frangible fences in the world—something that recently caught the attention of international officials.
“I was walking the four-star course with the technical delegate, Christian Steiner, and two members of the ground jury from Europe, and they’d never seen courses with this many frangible safety fences,” Bearden-Muller says.
Beyond incorporating safety technology, Bearden-Muller emphasized the importance of designing courses that encourage horses and riders to think, build confidence, and maintain a natural rhythm throughout.
“I really want them to come away feeling more confident,” she says. “Something might look really scary and difficult, but because the flow is very good on the course, that helps the horses digest and understand the questions as they’re laid out. For me, designing flow into a course is super important.”
Yet some of the most important safety considerations involve details that spectators—and even experienced riders—might never notice. One particularly interesting example is Bearden-Muller’s work examining how horses perceive colors and contrasts, which has influenced the appearance of TerraNova’s ditches.
A glimpse at the cross country courses at TerraNova. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Because horses perceive colors differently than humans, a ditch that looks clearly visible to a rider may be much harder for a horse to distinguish.
Bearden-Muller has advocated painting ditches a nearly black shade of brown, allowing horses to better identify the edges and understand the obstacle ahead.
“I’ve been on a campaign to get ditches painted different colors at more and more venues,” she says. “I really started looking at it more from the perspective of what colors the horse is seeing and what it’s looking like to them. It’s a big safety consideration.”
The change has now been implemented throughout TerraNova, where the ditches are painted in the dark shade Bearden-Muller recommends.
“There was no pushback when I made the suggestion. They said, ‘You want those painted? No problem.’ And they went out and painted them right away. They are happy to make any changes that help ensure the horse and riders’ safety.”
Another consideration is how changing daylight conditions affect what horses see as they approach an obstacle. Bearden-Muller explained that she makes a point of evaluating fences at the same time of day competitors will encounter them—particularly in the fall, when the sun sits lower in the sky.
During a previous TerraNova competition, she even removed a Trakehner fence from the one-star course after determining that the afternoon sun and long shadows made it too difficult for horses to see clearly after efforts to improve the obstacle’s visibility with decorative elements.
“I really try to see each jump and the approach to each jump at the time of day that level is going to ride,” she says. “At this time of year, it’s really important to look at that late evening sun and the effect it has on visibility.”
Bearden-Muller also encourages competitors to communicate any concerns they notice while walking their courses.
“If riders are out there walking the course and they notice something, let us know,” she says. “Maybe they’re seeing something that we’re not, or maybe they’re out walking the course at a time of day that we’re not.”
Beyond the competition, The Event at TerraNova welcomes a variety of equestrian vendors and exhibitors throughout the week, offering riders and spectators opportunities to shop and explore products and services from businesses within the equestrian community.
This year’s on-site vendors offer an assortment of equestrian apparel, equipment, horse-related products and services, including:
Gallors Boots
SynNutra Equine
Blackbird Equestrian
Albion Saddlemakers (Vendor & Sponsor)
I Love My Horse Eventing Boutique
The Estates at TerraNova / Laughlin Tanner Group at Premier Sotheby’s International Realty (Vendor & Sponsor)
Visitors can also connect with representatives from The Estates at TerraNova, Laughlin Tanner Group at Premier Sotheby’s International Realty to learn more about real estate opportunities in the area. Both The Estates at TerraNova and Albion Saddlemakers are also supporting this year’s event as sponsors.
Mia Farley and Invictus. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
The application deadline is rapidly approaching for this year’s cycle of the American Horse Trials Foundation’s “Chasing the Gold” Grant program. Since Chasing the Gold was introduced in 2024, three athletes (Sharon White, Cosby Green and Mia Farley) have received grants to be used for high performance development on the pathway to representing the USA on the global championship stage – and winning medals. For its third cycle, funding has once more increased and for 2027 a total of four grants will be awarded.
Here’s the breakdown:
Option 1: European Travel Grant ($30,000)
Three riders will receive this award of $30,000 each, intended to cover associated costs for travel, competition, and training to any European destination with the goal of competing at a CCI4*-L or CCI5* competition in the 2027 calendar year. The minimum criteria include athlete/horse combinations who have completed a CCI4*-L with no cross country jumping penalties within the last two years.
Option 2: North American Travel Grant ($10,000)
One rider will be awarded a $10,000 grant to cover associated costs for long distance travel, competition, and training to any North American destination with the goal of competing at a CCI4*-L or CCI5* competition in the 2027 calendar year. The minimum criteria include athlete/horse combinations who have completed a CCI4*-S with no cross country jumping penalties within the last two years. The Foundation will also give priority to combinations that have not been previously selected for an Olympic or World Championship Team. This is a great option to tick if you’re West coast based and hoping to make a trip to Kentucky or an East coast 4*-L, or if you’re keen on hitting up an event like MARS Bromont in Canada, Rebecca Farm in Montana or Galway Downs in California, for example.
Here are the nuts and bolts for applying:
In the application we ask that the applicants put forth a clear road to their success by sharing their understanding of and commitment to the training, competition, and business plan they will pursue to achieve their success.
Athletes need to submit an application via email for consideration no later than November 22, 2026 to [email protected]. The chosen athletes will be announced at this year’s USEA Convention Awards Ceremony in Arlington, VA (December 11-13).
Interested parties can download the full application here.
The American Horse Trials Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation established to assist Three Day Event Riders and Organizers in raising tax deductible financial support for national and international competition.
We have at least our first hint on the 2027 Defender Burghley cross country track as course designer Derek di Grazia makes his initial visits to the English property. The track, which has run clockwise for the past two years (more or less) will once more flip around to run counterclockwise next year. This will set famous elements like the Burghley Leaf Pit earlier on course and will also create opportunities to move fences around and add new challenges for the horses and riders. Burghley ran in this counterclockwise direction for several years before spending 2025 and 2026 reversed.
Defender Burghley will take place September 2-5, and while tickets are not on sale yet you can keep an eye on more updates here.
Today is the day! The Goresbridge Go for Gold Select Event Horse Sale will kick off its live auction at 3 pm local time, which is 10 am EST. Live streaming of the auction is available and if you’re registered ahead of time you can also bid virtually. More information here.
Join Boyd Martin and Lillian Heard Wood for a special virtual clinic tomorrow (November 12) at 7 pm EST! More information here
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An English innovator has been recognized with the Tail Blazer Award at HAPPA’s Hoof and Hearts Awards for her efforts to create safety products for equestrians of all disciplines and backgrounds. Read more.
Preserving equestrian sports and connections with horses requires the efforts of all of us. The East Sussex & Kent Equestrian Access Group is making headway in the UK to bring access to horses to more people – and it’s working. Read more.
What’s involved with filing a medication report with USEF? If you compete, this is need-to-know information so that you don’t find yourself sanctioned for something you weren’t familiar with. Read more.
Here’s an interesting question to ponder: does “handedness” affect our riding position? Canada’s University of Guelph dove into this topic. Read more.
Strangles has been reported in two incidents located in Marion County, Florida, as reported by TheHorse.com. Read more.
Dates have been confirmed for all six of the 2027 five-star events. The Maryland 5 Star will once more miss a year as its future as the second North American five-star remains uncertain. Read more.
