Classic Eventing Nation

Who Jumped It Best? Eventing Prix Invitational Edition

By on Mar 6, 2019 9:00 am -

Chinch is high on life now that the season is in full swing. To celebrate, he’s brining you a third Who Jumped It Best? this week.

You know the drill — check out the photos below from the $20,000 Ocala Horse Properties Eventing Prix Invitational, and cast your vote at the bottom of the post to select the pair who you think presents the best overall picture.

Click here to read our coverage of the Eventing Prix Invitational.

Alyssa Phillips and Oskar. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Tamie Smith and Cambalda. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Sara Kozumplik Murphy and y Rubens D’Yseiux. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Mia Farley and BGS Firecracker. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Hannah Sue Burnett and Lukeswell. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Mar 6, 2019 12:01 am -

My view into work yesterday. Photo by Maggie Deatrick.

I’d like to think that we’ve just experienced the final snow of the year up here in Pennsylvania but somehow I know better than to get optimistic. It seems like we always get one last big blow right before April.

National Holiday: Ash Wednesday

Major Weekend Events:

Red Hills CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Southern Pines H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Full Gallop Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

 

Your Wednesday News & Notes

The Auburn Eventing team hosts an online Facebook auction every year and the one for this year just started today! This auction helps with funding for Intercollegiate Champs and hopefully more! There are already have over 70 items in the Facebook album from lessons to photoshoots to hand-painted wine glasses. [Auburn Eventing Facebook Auction]

Sometimes an off-the-wall solution can result in a story. Ann DeMichele and owner Suellen Myers went down the rabbit hole trying to figure out why Roanoke, a jumper bred by Myers, was so spooky. After realizing that bright contrast bothered him, they settled on a pair of green-tinted goggles to keep him focused in the jumper ring . [Behind the Photo]

Flying from England to Australia is a trek but doing it with horses is even more involved. Between three weeks of quarantine prior to take-off, another two weeks upon landing, a traveling vet and a heft price tag, flying horses to Australia is no easy task. [9 Things You Never Knew]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: 

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

Will Coleman Wins $20,000 Ocala Horse Properties Eventing Prix Invitational

By on Mar 5, 2019 9:58 pm -

Will Coleman and TKS Cooley. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Speed demon Will Coleman is now a back-to-back winner of the $20,000 Ocala Horse Properties Eventing Prix Invitational, this year with TKS Cooley.

A careful clear secured Will and the 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Vivaldo Van Het Costersveld x  Badgerhill Cruise, by Cruising), owned by the TKS Cooley Syndicate, a spot in the jump-off. They followed that up with a dead accurate speed round that put them out front in 41.68 seconds.

“I just had a plan for what lines I wanted to ride and how I wanted to execute the course. Anytime you get in the ring with an atmosphere like this, it’s good for you. It’s good for your horse,” Will said. “When there’s money on the line, everyone wants to win. That’s the sort of competitive thing you can’t practice enough. Personally, I really enjoy it, and I had a blast today.”

Will also led his team, “Black List,” which included Buck Davidson, Lauren Kieffer and Matt Brown, to a win the team competition.

“Then I had all my teammates behind me giving me expert guidance — showing me the way,” Will smiled. “We were just having fun. It was just a good time.”

Jennie Brannigan and I Bella. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Jennie Brannigan set out in a blaze around the Chris Barnard’s 1.30m track with I Bella, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood/Holsteiner owned by Nina and Tim Gardner. Her time of 43.61 seconds gave her second place.

Leslie Law and Voltaire de Tre. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Finishing on an identical 46.58 seconds in the jump-off, Matt Brown and Leslie Law shared the third place finish. Matt rode Bob and Valerie Fish’s Talking Point BCF, a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse, and Leslie was partnered with Tre Book’s Voltaire de Tre, a 10-year-old Selle Francais (Gentleman IV x Jasmina du Fresne, by Socrate de Chivre).

Buck Davidson and Erroll Gobey. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Buck Davidson was the final rider in the group who achieved two clear rounds aboard Natalie Sander, Lisa Darden, and Carl & Cassie Segal’s Erroll Gobey, a 9-year-old Holsteiner (Cassini II x Ulla II, Contender) . They were fifth on a time of 46.73 seconds.

Fourteen of the 35 starters jumped clear in the first round to return for the jump-off. Despite the unusually chilly day in Florida, fans still flanked the sides of the arena to cheer on their favorite pairs. A huge thank you is due to Scotty Keach and Max Corcoran for hosting what has become a favorite among competitors and spectators on the Ocala calendar.

Click here for results.

Tuesday Video from SpectraVet: Ride Around Bruce’s Field with Doug Payne

By on Mar 5, 2019 3:00 pm -

Doug Payne donned his CamBox once again at the $50,000 LiftMaster Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field. His unique helmet cam features both both first person and live stream point of view, so you can see what it’s really like to ride a showcase course.

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Watch the Ocala Horse Properties Eventing Prix Invitational Live Stream

By on Mar 5, 2019 1:30 pm -

It’s almost go time for the $20,000 Ocala Horse Properties Eventing Prix Invitational at Southern Cross Equestrian in Reddick, Florida. The action will stream live starting at 2 p.m. EST on EQTV Network and right here on EN.

A total of 35 combinations — eight teams and three individuals — will take on Chris Barnard’s 1.30-meter show jumping course. Click here to view the entry list and teams.

Check back to EN later today for a full report.

[Eventing Prix Invitational Order of Go]

New Mom, New Horse, New Goal: Meet 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover Trainer Hillary McMichael

By on Mar 5, 2019 11:00 am -

For 673 accepted trainers, the journey to the Retired Racehorse Project‘s 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover has begun! Over the next nine months, four of those trainers will blog their journeys, including their triumphs and their heartbreaks, successes and failures, for Eventing Nation readers. Today, meet blogger Hillary McMichael. 

Hillary and her daughter Beatrix with Whiskey Wu, AKA Dobby. Photo courtesy of Hillary McMichael.

First off, I want to say hi and introduce myself. My name is Hillary and I am an adult amateur eventer living in Texas. When I was 8 years old I got my first riding lesson and somehow I am even more obsessed with horses now at 28 than I was as a kid. I have been riding for over 20 years now but this last year brought the most change. I am still trying to get my sea legs back after having a baby but I am really excited to be aiming for the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover this year. On top of that I get to share that adventure with you all! I have been reading Eventing Nation for years so when the opportunity to be a contributor came up I jumped.

Hillary and LittleOrphanAnnex at Chattahoochee Hills H.T. in July 2017. Photo courtesy of Hillary McMichael.

Life with horses never seems to go as we plan, and last year I had to say goodbye to my amazing thoroughbred mare. LittleOrphanAnnex (“Annie”) was my first OTTB that I got directly off the track myself. I chose her off of a short video while I was on my honeymoon — sorry Kyle! — and  purchased her with money that my grandfather gave us as a wedding present (with the explicit instructions to not spend on “those damn horses”). Annie taught me so much and reignited my love of eventing. She carried me safely through my first Novice horse trials and gave me confidence I never imagined I could have. I didn’t think that I would be coming back to eventing as a new mom without Annie, but I carry a piece of her with me every time I swing a leg over the saddle.

When I found myself looking for another event horse I knew I wanted to get another Thoroughbred. Bonus points if he/she was Makeover eligible. My next Thoroughbred would have some huge shoes to fill, though, and I was really particular about what I wanted. After my trainer Amanda Merritt let me ride her competition horse Flat Gone, a Flatter gelding, I became pretty obsessed with finding my own Flatter. I distracted myself from the grief of losing Annie by throwing myself into the horse search. Conservatively I would say that I searched over 250 names of Flatter offspring to see if they were listed for sale anywhere. Somehow that was a bust.

Totally normal to have pedigreequery lists on your phone/

I missed out on a few horses due to timing and then things got interesting. My Flatter obsession went totally off the rails. That is when I started to search for horses that had been running in claiming races around my budget and reaching out to their trainers. I am so grateful for all of the trainers that responded to my messages. Luckily my stalking paid off, or I would just be that weird girl that was bothering everyone trying to buy their horse.

The first photo I was sent of Whiskey Wu. Photo courtesy of Hillary McMichael.

One of the messages I sent was to Susan Cooney of Cooney Racing Stables about a 2015 Flatter gelding in her barn. Susan responded with a picture (above) that had me drooling and told me that technically Dobby (Charlie to his racing connections) wasn’t for sale. I had already spent hours, seriously HOURS, searching and really didn’t want to miss out on this nice gelding. As a shot in the dark I asked her if she thought his owner would consider selling him for his last claiming tag. That was Dec. 9, the vet came out for a pre purchase exam Dec. 13, and Dobby was officially mine on Dec. 14. I am so happy that his owner decided to let me buy him. Susan was so honest and easy to work with and will definitely be my first contact if/ when I am in the market again. Heck — I have already asked her to keep me in mind for his siblings!

Dobby’s first bareback ride. Photo courtesy of Hillary McMichael.

So far I am really enjoying getting to know Dobby. We are about 15 rides in and he has proven to be pretty easy going. Like with any green horse there have been ups and downs, but we have realistic expectations. We are taking things one day at a time and trying to “stay in our own lane.”

I do occasionally feel totally insane for getting another young horse at this stage in my life. I will have my hands full between an almost 1-year-old little girl and two horses between 3 and 4 years old. Luckily I know that I have the right team in Anchor Equestrian to make the most of this exciting adventure. I literally would not be able to do this without all of the support from my friends and family. Team work makes dream work though and I am grateful to every person that is helping to make this possible for me!

We have a lot of fun things planned for this spring so I will be sure to report back soon!

2019 Fox River Valley H.T. to Bring Back CCI2*-S and CCI2*-L Divisions

By on Mar 5, 2019 9:00 am -

Area IV has lost some important international-level competition opportunities in recent years, but we are happy to help spread the word about a positive new development for the area. To explain we’ll hand the microphone over to Caroline Charette, an Area IV Eventer who sits on the organizing and fundraising committees for Fox River Valley Pony Club H.T., and Barb McMorris, head of the organizing committee. 

Photo courtesy of Fox River Valley Pony Club H.T.

Area IV’s Fox River Valley Pony Club (FRVPC) Horse Trials has very exciting news! The June 21-23, 2019 horse trials held in Barrington Hills, Illinois, just outside of Chicago, will see the return of the FEI two-star (2018 one-star) level, which will include the CCI2*-L and CCI2*-S formats.

For almost five decades the FRVPC, with the support of an entire community, has helped organize, host and support the FRVPC H.T. FRVPC is constantly working to improve the rider, horse and spectator experience at the horse trials and recognized how important international level competition is to the Area IV eventing community. Adding the FEI divisions is critical to give riders in the Midwest an opportunity to ride in qualifying competition for National and International team opportunities. As such, this year’s event will be a key qualifier for Young Riders aiming to qualify for the 2019 North American Youth Championships.

Photo by Rare Air Photography, courtesy of Fox River Valley Pony Club H.T.

The cross country course, located within the Spring Creek Forest Preserve, has been designed by Ana Schravesande and then by Ana’s daughter, Adri Doyal, for the past 11 years. Their creativity and their support for FRVPC H.T. has been outstanding, encouraging FRVPC to add Beginner Novice, then the CCI1*, and last year the Starter divisions. (The one star was dropped in 2015 but is returning this year.) This year will bring additional changes as Jay Hambly has taken over the designing of the courses from Starter to CCI2*.

For those who don’t know Jay, he is an FEI3*-4* course designer who began his career in 1995, working on the 2008 Olympics. Since then he has played an integral role in events including Bromont, Richland, Galway Downs, Rebecca Farms, and most recently was named as one of the lead builders at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. We are thrilled to have Jay add FRVPC CCI2* to his busy schedule.

Photo courtesy of Fox River Valley Pony Club H.T.

The show jumping course designer will be Brody Robertson. Brody is a top rated Grand Prix rider, trainer, judge and course designer. He is a member of the USEF Central Region Jumper committee and the USHJA Jumper Council committee. His resume over the last 15 years includes the Alltech World Equestrian Games, Longines World Cup Finals, HITS, Carolina Horse Trials, Hagyard Mid-South, Plantation Fields, Richland, Queeny Park and May Daze.

Work has begun on cross country with clearing of downed trees and limbs from our winter storms and clearing of buckthorn to widen the horse trial paths that meander through the Forest Preserve. A clean up day is planned for March 17. Its been a LONG winter, but spring will come and with it the opportunity to tend to the courses, fertilizing, seeding, aerovating, and to begin work on freshening up the jumps. So come out and play with us! Email [email protected] to get details of when and where you can help out.

Photo by Pixel Pony Photography, courtesy of Fox River Valley Pony Club H.T.

These are exciting announcements for Midwestern eventers as well as for our eventer friends from afar! In 2020 FRVPC Horse Trials will celebrate its 50th year. As a flagship horse trial for the Midwest, the dwindling opportunities for our upper level riders made the decision to bring back the FEI divisions an easy one. However, as easy as it may be to see the need of its return, instituting it is a large feat and we are calling on our entire eventing community for support!

We invite you to put FRVPC Horse Trials on your calendar to compete, to volunteer, to come watch. Take a look at www.FRVPCHorseTrials.org to find out how you can help support the horse trials and ensure its sustainability for years to come.

Mark your calendars for June 20-23, 2019 and be a part of the Legacy!

Tuesday News & Notes from Legends Horse Feeds

By on Mar 5, 2019 12:01 am -

Sharon White and Cooley On Show. Photo by Lisa Thomas/Mid-Atlantic Equestrian Services.

If you’re in the office today, pull the $20,000 Ocala Horse Properties Eventing Prix Invitational live stream up on your second monitor. We promise not to tell your boss. You can watch it right here on EN thanks to EQTV Network. Our own Jenni Autry will be behind the mic, so you’ll want to have some headphones handy. Action starts at 2 p.m. See the entry list here.

National Holiday:  Fat Tuesday

Events Opening This Week: Fair Hill International April H.T. and CCIS, Longleaf Pine H.T., Sporting Days Farm April H.T. III, River Glen Spring H.T., Holly Hill Spring H.T.

Events Closing This Week:  Carolina International CCI and H.T., Poplar Place Farm March H.T., Southern Arizona H.T.

Tuesday News:

If you struggle with lines and triple combinations in the show jumping, then you’ll want to check out James Alliston’s Grid Pro Quo. This is a helpful one, too, because once you’ve got yourself in over the first, you’re pretty set up and can take the time to focus on your own position.  [Grid Pro Quo with James Alliston]

Ruth Bley’s ‘Flaming Hot Cheeto’ aka Danito is the USEA March Horse of the Month. He won at Fresno last month, which made him and Tamie only the 20th combination since 2008 to win their first three international runs as a combination. Keep an eye on this one for the future. [USEA Horse of the Month: Danito]

Keyboard warriors are an all too frequent feature in horse sport, and Danielle Goldstein is having none of it. Known for her feather-laced hair, Danielle found herself on the receiving end of nasty comments following her recent CSI5* win. The show jumper posted a video in response encouraging individuality. [‘Stay True To Who You Are’: Danielle Goldstein Speaks Out Against Cyberbullying — And We Are Here For It]

The Endurance WEG Drama Continues: WEG Endurance fallout: A skeleton that might have been better kept in the closet

Hot on Horse Nation: The 10 Equestrians You Meet at the Horse Expo

Tuesday Video: 

Teams Named for North American Futures Team Challenge at Carolina International

By on Mar 4, 2019 6:34 pm -

Teams have been announced for the 2019 USEF/USET Foundation North American Futures Team Challenge at Carolina International on March 21-24, 2019. Established with the USET Foundation and administered by USEF, the North American Futures Team Challenge is designed to complement the Eventing High Performance Program, which recently rolled out the new U.S. Eventing Pathway Program.

Two teams of four combinations will contest an unofficial simulated team competition at both Carolina International in the CCI3*-S or CCI4*-S and at Bromont in the CCI3*-L. The teams will undergo training prior to each competition.

The following horses and riders have been named to USEF Performance Director for Eventing Erik Duvander’s team:

  • Hallie Coon and Celien
  • Sydney Conley Elliott and QC Diamantaire
  • Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan
  • Caroline Martin and Danger Mouse

The following horses and riders have been named to USEF Emerging Athlete Coach Leslie Law’s team:

  • Alex Baugh and Mr. Candyman
  • Cosby Green and Highly Suspicious
  • Chris Talley and Sandro’s Star
  • Madison Temkin and Dr. Hart

Click here to learn more about the North American Futures Team Challenge.

Go Eventing.

Rocking Horse III Intermediate Winners Show Us How It’s Done

By on Mar 4, 2019 4:55 pm -

Three divisions of Intermediate tackled the red numbered jumps at Rocking Horse III H.T. in Altoona, Florida over the weekend. Let’s meet the winners and watch video of their cross country rounds, courtesy of David Frechette a lá Horse Pesterer!

Intermediate Rider

Hannah Hawkins and Didgeridoo won the Intermediate division, moving from a tie for third after dressage into second after show jumping and finally settling into the top spot after cross country. The 12-year-old Australian-bred Selle Français gelding (Copabella Visage x Brilliant Silver, by Brilliant Invader), owned by Lauren Pollin and the rider, picked up just 3.6 time penalties on course for the win, finishing on a score of 37.8. With his lofty jump and big gallop, this athletic horse is fun to watch — he makes even the biggest tables look like a cakewalk.

Open Intermediate

Another 12-year-old grey gelding with spring-loaded feet stole the show in Open Intermediate. Sharon White and Cooley On Show leapt up the scoreboard from 8th after dressage to 1st, posting double-clear rounds to win on their dressage score of 34.5. The Irish Sport Horse (Ricardo Z x Jogantina, by Grand D’Espagne) owned by the rider was clearly enjoying his romp around the early season course. This established partnership has had some impressive finishes at big gun events, earning 13th at Luhmühlen in 2017 and 8th at Kentucky in 2018, and we’re excited to see what 2019 has in store.

Open Intermediate (1-Day Friday)

Rounding out the Intermediate trifecta was the one-day format division, which took place on Friday. We don’t have video but nonetheless wish to congratulate Melissa Boutin and EWSZ Jalando for their win. The 10-year-old Zweibrucker gelding (Daimler D’Adriers x Calanda, by Calando) owned by the rider rose from 3rd after dressage to the top spot on a final score of 44.8, thanks to a clear show jumping round and a cross country round with 11.2 time penalties. Melissa is from Quebec and this pair represented well at Bromont last year, finishing 4th in the CIC2*. Best of luck to them this season!

View complete Rocking Horse results here.