Classic Eventing Nation

#EventerFailFriday: Bottoms Up!

By on Feb 22, 2019 9:00 am -

Happy #EventerFailFriday! Congratulations on making it through the workweek — and if you happen to be competing this weekend, we wish you the best of luck finding the finish flags of that, too. Remember, when the going gets tough whether on the cross country course or on the course of life, keep your leg on, your shoulders back and your eye on the prize.

Here’s some inspiration :

That’s what you call “red on right, white on left, insanity in the middle.” Way to get the job done! Here are a few more of your finest strugglebus moments … well sat, all of you!

Go Eventing.

Friday News & Notes from World Equestrian Brands

By on Feb 22, 2019 12:03 am -

Sometimes I do fun pony photoshoots. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Yesterday I met with a local event rider friend of mine (haaaay Lara) about the two of us taking over the organization of an unrecognized combined test that a farm down the road hosts every year in March. I’m doing the dressage judging and helping with the organization and promotion and stuff, and woah, I’m already impressed with how much work it is just to put on a little local show! Seriously, god bless people who do this for big shows and do this professionally, hug your local organizer and bring him/her flowers and chocolates next time you go to compete.

National Holiday: National Margarita Day (MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY)

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Pine Top Advanced H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Three Lakes at Caudle Ranch H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

You want a heartwarming story of a girl finally realizing her dreams and getting a giant puppy dog OTTB despite the odds? Noelle Floyd knows what you want, and they’ve got you covered. Sarah McGovern is a delightful young lady who lives right down the road from me in Charlottesville, and has been dreaming of owning a horse and living her horsey daydreams for her entire life. Despite battling cystic fibrosis every day, Sarah manages a local eventing barn and is competing her enormous sweet Thoroughbred gelding, Leo. [Noelle Floyd Feature: Sarah McGovern]

Before Todd Minikus was a household name in the show jumper world, he was just another guy riding a $1,000 OTTB. The difference was, he was riding that thousand-dollar Thoroughbred and winning all the grand prix classes with him. Thrilling was a 1980 grey Thoroughbred gelding that Todd bought sight unseen as he was out of the same mare as his previous grand prix mount. The gelding won enough in prize money for Todd to buy a truck, a trailer and go on to become a professional rider. [An OTTB Named Thrilling]

Ponies have officially hacked the system: they’re now traveling by human drawn carriage. That’s right, humans pulling ponies. And no, I’m not joking. This spring, Emma Massingale will be pulling two mini ponies across Europe in a specially adapted tricycle, from Switzerland onwards. Stanley and Percy the ponies will be in the back, along with the dachshund. [Human Drawn Pony Carriage Across Europe]

Repping for RRP: Meet 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover Trainer Clare Mansmann

By on Feb 21, 2019 5:00 pm -

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 Clare Mansmann. Check out Clare’s 2018 series, “So You Want To Get an OTTB,” here. 

I know what you’re thinking. If you’ve met me in the past couple of years you’re thinking, “Why is she writing for Eventing Nation? I thought she rode show hunters.”

Clare Mansmann and Noosh’s Tale at the 2017 Thoroughbred Makeover. Photo by GRC Photo.

I’m not mad at you. Not much, anyway. I swear we aim to train every horse like a pre-green hunter, but that’s another post.

But I’m here for EN, repping the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP), because despite my killer eq (er, my valiant efforts), my roots run deep in eventing, and my heart will always belong on cross country. I spent my Young Rider years traveling around the east coast in my F250, my Advanced horse, Sunday’s Thrill, in a little Featherlight bumper pull, and my Florida ditch dog, Charlotte, riding shotgun. Marriage, mortgage and two children later, “Jake” and Charlotte only recently passed and that same truck and trailer just helped move my family into a new house. I’m not sure it was a perfect circle, but things really do come back around.

My husband, Tom, and I are gearing up for our fourth year at the RRP’s Thoroughbred Makeover. Each year, we have gone with a horse, or two, or three, that has fallen into our laps, each one completely different from the other. Each year, one of us has wound up in the Eventing division, but after placing in Field Hunters and Ranch Work as well, Tom has a new goal of succeeding in each of the 10 disciplines offered. (Look out Polo and Barrels!)

Tom Mansmann and Tiz Solo Vino at the 2018 TB Makeover, courtesy of Lucky Clover Photography.
Sidenote: Only Vino would just trot through a darned covered wagon for the first time like this. What the
what.

Why we are such big proponents of the RRP and the Makeover is for the people, and for the horse. We owe our careers, our riding, our knowledge, largely to the Thoroughbred, and it started well before they were off the track.

Clare at the Middleburg Training track a long, long time ago. Photo courtesy of her mom.

The on-track Thoroughbred taught me to ride. As so many of the old-format event riders, back in the day, I was sent out as a junior to gallop on the track. There’s no better place to learn to gallop and become accustomed to speed. Over and over, around and around, on everything from goofy baby horses to seasoned pros who know your exact experience level and how best to take advantage.

The on-track Thoroughbred taught me perseverance. I learned to sit quietly, with strength. I learned that you don’t move your hands on an experienced racehorse unless you want to roll, no matter how cold/tired/cramped/raw they may be. I learned to breathe.

The on-track Thoroughbred taught me humility. I learned to respect the power beneath me. I learned how small I was. I learned to laugh at myself, while others laughed more than a little, as well.

The on-track Thoroughbred taught me to partner with him, through necessity, but that can be the best way to learn.

The on-track Thoroughbred got me ready to ride around some of the heftiest courses in North America, as a teenager. Jury’s still out on whether or not that was a good idea.

Clare and Sunday’s Thrill at the Leaf Pit at Morven Park Advanced H.T., circa the Age of PolyPads. Photo by her terrified mom.

If the on-track Thoroughbred can do all of that, then maturity brings about the question: what can I do for the off-track Thoroughbred?

This year, we have not obtained all of our horses for the Makeover yet. We each have reserved two entries to the competition, because #noragrets. Tom and I discussed going out and looking for a particular kind of horse, but what we really found is that we love when they fall into our laps. We aren’t training these horses for ourselves, but educating them in such a way that they will succeed in their futures, whatever that may be. It doesn’t much matter the type, but the brain. These are nice horses.

In 2018, we participated in the first Makeover MasterClass, where four trainers drew straws to choose a not-yet restarted off-track horse, and give a demo on a first training session, in the coliseum, at the Kentucky Horse Park. We used Tom’s Makeover competitor, Tiz Solo Vino, to demonstrate the ponying of Alarming, a stunning specimen from MidAtlantic Horse Rescue. We knew from that day that he would end up at our farm in Middleburg, and he did. We’re not upset.#noragretsagain

Tom Mansmann, riding Tiz Solo Vino, ponying Alarming at the 2018 TB Makeover Masterclass. Photo by Justine Howell.

Alarming and Clare Mansmann at home at Pacific Farms. Photo by Tom Mansmann.

We had such a wonderful experience with MidAtlantic, that we knew we would do it again.

When Make It Right was first posted on their page, with an honest and detailed description of a properly rehabbed, non-displaced knee fracture, we asked for x-rays and flexions. We spoke with vets and came to the conclusion that this horse is sound, flexes perfectly, is cleared for all work with no limitations, and is a total beefcake. He’s the score of the century, and his x-rays are so cool. #noragretsathird

Clare on Make It Right (Peter), along with MAHR representative Jacqui Sharp. Photo by Lynn Bowers
Pennypacker.

Next I got a call from a trainer who is friends with a friend I used to gallop with who has a horse who isn’t competitive and is ready to move on and as a non-competitive person myself, I identify with this horse and so he’s coming after the snow storm. I saw some sort of conformation picture and a short video of what I think was him galloping. He’s a bay gelding, so he’ll fit right in and no one will be the wiser. #idontknowifiragretbuthistorysaysno

Clearly, we have a few potentials to go to the Makeover, more are sure to come, and we are happy about all of them. But what is even more fun is the fact that we have five or six (I lose track) horses in training at our farm who are working towards the Makeover with their owners, not us, in the irons. We are keeping the transition process smooth and comprehensive, with the goal of bringing horse and rider together safely and positively, and we are already seeing tremendous rewards.

OTTBs! OTTBs everywhere! Photo by Tom Mansmann.

Brigand Moon stealing treats from small children. Photo by Allison Howell. Photobomb: Dimple.

It doesn’t matter if the horse seems destined to be a hunter, they will go cross-country. If they want to event, they’ll go to hunter shows. If they live for fox hunting, they’ll be in a dressage ring. They will see chickens and cattle, ride western and english, bareback and backwards, bridle and bridleless. Every week they will be fed treats by a gaggle of children riding bikes and scooters through the barn. They’ll get muddy and they’ll be bathed. They will eat the best alfalfa and have the best shoeing job around. They will pull shoes. They will trailer and they will tie. Everywhere. They will be scruffy and weedy. They will shed and begin to glow. They will make mistakes and learn. We will make mistakes and learn. It’s all allowed.

Working with these horses has given us an opportunity to grow, and to meet an incredible community of people, and also to give back to the horses who give their all. But no matter how much we give them, they continue to return the favor tenfold. We’ll never catch up, but we will keep trying.

I hope you’ll follow along on our journey to the Makeover with, quite honestly, a plethora of nice horses. There is so much discovery on the way. And if the on-track Thoroughbred could do all it did for me, including marriage and family (needs its own post), just think what the OFF-track Thoroughbred can do.

Thursday Video from SmartPak: Have You Started the 2019 Horse Health Challenge Yet?

By on Feb 21, 2019 3:00 pm -

It’s not too late to start the challenge, unlock special offers and rewards, and get entered in the grand prize of a $2,000 package — plus, learn and review a ton of great horse health information!

Want to be rewarded for learning more about horse health? Of course you do! Take SmartPak’s Horse Health Challenge, learn new ways to keep your horses as healthy and happy as they can be, and earn rewards and special offers for new products and supplements.

Here’s a recent new-for-2019 challenge I recently tackled:

Challenge #8: Change up your routine

Just like you can fall into a rut in your everyday life or job, you and your horse can get bored doing the same exercise routine every day, too. That’s why this year, we’re challenging you to change up your routine and try something new with your horse. Not sure what to try? We’ve got a few ideas to get you started:

Take a lesson in a new discipline No matter what discipline you normally ride in, giving a new discipline a try can be fun, challenging, and help you and your horse develop new skills that you can incorporate into your regular riding routine.

Head out on the trails If you spend most of your days in the arena, consider heading outside the ring. Whether you just take a stroll around your farm or hit the nearby trails, you and your horse will both enjoy the change of scenery.

Try clicker training Clicker training can be used to teach a good habit or skill or behavior, or discourage or remove a bad habit. If you’ve got a horse who kicks or bites or doesn’t trailer load or moves away from the mounting block, all things we would consider negative, you can clicker train. On the other hand, if you want a horse to do some positive behavior like drink water, you can also use clicker training.

Whether you tackle one of these challenges or change up your riding routine in another way, learning a new skill will be fun and engaging for both you and your horse!

Take the quiz at SmartPakEquine.com and earn 20% off SmartPak polo wraps! Plus, there are 19 other challenges, each with their own special reward. Take all of the challenge quizzes and you’ll be entered to win the $2,000 grand prize.

Go Eventing.

Junior Eventer Spotlight: Anna Fitzhugh Follows Her Fire

By on Feb 21, 2019 1:30 pm -

Today we shine the spotlight on Maryland-based junior rider Anna Fitzhugh. Anna competes at Training level and impresses us with her organized, hardworking, goal-oriented approach to both riding and schoolwork, as well as the team mentality she demonstrated at Pony Club Championships and while grooming for the Area II team at the 2018 NAYC. 

Want to nominate a junior for this series? Email us at [email protected]. 

Photo courtesy of Anna Fitzhugh.

Anna Fitzhugh’s secret to success is her ability to stay focused. As a 17-year-old eventer from Area II, she sometimes has tunnel vision when it comes to her goals of becoming a professional rider, which isn’t a bad thing, because she knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go into the unknown to get it.

“I’m very focused. I’ve always thought, after that week in Kentucky [at Pony Club Championships], there’s no turning back now,” says Anna. “I could never do anything else. And then I just went all in. Even my own family members were like, ‘Don’t you think you should do something else?’ Still, even after a year or so, they say, ‘You could always be a vet!’ I can be kind of stubborn, but I am very focused. I know this is what I want to do.” 

Her parents, Dawn and Bill Fitzhugh, as well as her trainer Morgan Cillo, all point to Anna’s intense planning habits as the reason she is on track to meet her goals.

“One funny thing about Anna and riding is her extreme organization and scheduling,” Dawn says. “She has a huge dry erase board and will plan her time down to the minute. Just looking at that dry erase board tires me out, but Anna loves horses and likes to be busy and work hard so, for her, that’s what makes her happiest.” 

Anna has been riding for eight years and has three horses: her first pony, Penny; her Training level gelding, Ripley; and her new green mare, Lucy, whom she hopes to bring up the levels.  

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img_0051-1-e1550380226520.jpg

Anna extensively maps out her day at a competition on her white board. Photo by Dawn Fitzhugh.

An Early Love of Dressage Sparks Interest in Eventing

Not many eventers can say this, but Anna’s interest in eventing came through her early love of dressage. But once she got a taste of the thrill of cross country along with the attitude and mindsets of eventers, she knew she’d found her sport. Morgan Cillo, an upper-level eventer with whom Anna has trained since the beginning, was able to nudge her in the right direction.

“I always loved dressage, ever since the beginning,” Anna says. “Because I started riding with Morgan, I always did little bits of dressage and hunter stuff, but as soon as I did my first event, I just loved that feeling. The feeling you get when you’re in the startbox, and you know you’re prepared, but you get that adrenaline and you get all tingly — that’s my favorite feeling.

“I like that it’s not so much about ‘How much money do you have?’ or ‘What color breeches are you wearing?’ Instead, it’s more about ‘Are you and your horse prepared?’ and ‘Did you do all your homework?’ It’s more about hard work, and less about the money.”

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img_0014-1-e1550406834367.jpg

Anna with her childhood pony, Penny. Photo by Caught By A Flash Photography.

Success In and Out of the Saddle

Even though her career is just beginning, Anna has already had some great accomplishments. She’s been to the North America Youth Championships as a groom, competed at Pony Club Championships, completed the Waredaca Training Three-Day Event, traveled south to Aiken, and competed in countless events all over Area II.

One of her most memorable experiences is when she got to be a part of the Area II Young Riders team when they won team gold in 2018.

“Riding has taken me a lot of places, and not just on a horse,” Anna says. “I have a couple favorites, but one of them is when I groomed at Young Riders. I was walking Tayler Stewart and Taz into the ring, standing next to Mr. Medicott who’s an Olympian, and Olivia Dutton, holding both of them as the national anthem played and they got their gold medals. That was so surreal and I will always remember it. Mr. Medicott leaned over and nosed me, like he was saying ‘Wake up, this is real!’ and it was so surreal.”

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img_0037.jpg

Anna with Mr. Medicott at the awards ceremony for Young Riders after Area II won team gold. Photo by JJ Sillman.

Anna qualified for the first time in 2017 to compete at Pony Club Championships, which took place at the Kentucky Horse Park, and the experience solidified in her mind that she wanted to pursue horses as a career.

“I always knew I wanted to ride, but after that week I just fell so in love with the sport that I thought, ‘Well this is definitely what I [want to] do.’ I didn’t have a great run there, but I got to experience being on a team. I had never been on a team before, and I just knew that this was it, this was what I wanted to do,” says Anna. “In Kentucky, as I was walking Ripley down [the chute that leads into the ring] and I show jumped him in that Rolex arena, my dad was up in the stands, according to my trainer Morgan, bawling his eyes out and saying, ‘One day she’s going to be here for the real thing.’ So that was really cool being in the grandstand arena, and hearing the announcer with the same British accent that the real announcer [at the Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event] has.”

Neither of her parents were horse people before Anna started asking for riding lessons. Anna’s dad Bill has become immersed in the horse world through his daughter, and it has created a special connection between them.

“Her riding opened a world up for me that I never would have known. I have met so many wonderful people through Anna’s riding. Through Anna’s riding we have bonded on our many road trips early in the morning. We have our favorite places to stop on the way to shows. Each season we have favorite songs we like to listen to on the way to shows,” said Bill.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img_0017.jpg

Anna (middle) with her dad Bill (left) and trainer Morgan (right) before they traveled to Pony Club Championships. Photo courtesy of Anna Fitzhugh.

‘You Should Join Pony Club’

In addition to eventing, Anna has been greatly involved in Pony Club throughout the years, even though she originally didn’t want to join. Her mom encouraged it, but being an obstinate and determined third grader, she didn’t want her mom to be right. Six months later, after going to a meeting with Elkridge Harford Hunt Pony Club, Anna gave in and ever since then she has been hooked on Pony Club. She now has her C-3/H-B rating.

One of the reasons she loves Pony Club is because of the learning opportunities. Just a few life skills that Anna has learned are to pay a greater attention to detail, ask questions, and do lots of research.

Because of the opportunities and education she’s acquired through Pony Club, she strongly encourages other riders to join.

“I tell any person I meet, ‘You should join Pony Club,’ no matter who they are, how much they ride, or how much they want to do. Maybe I’m a little biased because I’ve met all my greatest friends through Pony Club, but I’ve loved it and have had so many opportunities, and met so many people. All of the opportunities that I’ve had have been through Pony Club,” said Anna.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img_0052.jpg

Anna with her teammates and coach Morgan at Pony Club Championships. Photo courtesy of Anna Fitzhugh.

Lessons Learned from Setbacks

Despite the many highs and accomplishments of Anna’s riding career, she has also had some setbacks.

A few years ago, on a rainy day while competing Ripley in the show jumping phase in a grass arena, she experienced what could have been a serious fall when Ripley lost his footing over a jump.

“At Shawan Downs, he slipped and fell in show jumping and crashed onto the jump, and then he wouldn’t jump for the next couple days. I went to take him cross country and he would not jump a single jump, because he was so scared,” says Anna.

To overcome the challenge of getting Ripley’s confidence back, the pair went back to basics and schooled cross country every chance they had in order to build his trust back up.

What matters more than the setbacks is the mindset that a person has to overcome their failures. For Anna, this is as simple as always focusing on the positives of a situation.

“I always look on the bright side in everything that I do, because with horses, no matter what, they’re going to get hurt, you’re going to fall off, have a bad day, or have stops, but no matter what, there’s always something you can learn. So, even if I have a stop somewhere and it was my fault, I learned that next time I have to pay more attention or do something differently,” says Anna.

Planning for the Future

As for her future goals, she has her mind made up that she will make a career out of riding, and it’s no surprise that she has a plan to get there.

“I would like to ride professionally, so my plan is to run my own horse business in a training center a couple years after I graduate college, preferably in Aiken because I love South Carolina. Until then my plan is to be a working student at Morningside since I’m graduating early from high school,” says Anna. “I’ll be a working student for [Skyeler Icke Voss] and then start college in the spring semester of 2020 at Wilson College.”

Trainer Morgan, a professional herself, believes that Anna has all of the traits and skills necessary to be successful as a professional.

“I think Anna will be successful as a professional for many reasons,” Morgan says. “For one, she’s a well-rounded person. Outside of horses, she’s an excellent student who loves to spend time with her family, travel and read. To be a successful professional, it takes so much more than being a good rider or trainer. You have to be articulate, solve problems quickly, and balance a hectic schedule. You have to be a proficient writer and be able to market yourself and your business. Anna easily has all of these skills. She is not only great with horses, but great with people. This skill is going to really help her professional career.

“Last but not least, Anna possesses an outstanding work ethic. I know how hard she works each and every day. Being any type of professional horse person requires an incredible amount of dedication, practice and work.”

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img_0012.jpg

Both Anna and Ripley appear to be having a blast on cross country with her smile and his ears pricked! Photo by GRC Photo.

It’s Not All Fun and Games

On the path to becoming a professional, it’s not just all riding and training. Schooling and education are very important parts of riding, which Anna understands. She makes sure to keep up with her grades on top of riding, which is no easy task.

Anna’s secret to balancing horses with school work is simple: she uses every spare second she has in school to finish all of her homework.

“I will work through lunch, I’ll do my homework in homeroom, I’ll do it on the bus, I’ll sit in the car on the parking lot and do it before school, I will do anything to not do it at home. So when I leave at 2 o’clock, I have no school work. Usually after school I’ll go and ride probably four horses for different people, and then I come home and ride my two. I can balance riding pretty well despite having school all day,” says Anna.

As for her future plans with school, Anna’s current goal is to go to Wilson College for its equine programs.

“Wilson College has an equine business major, as well as equine journalism classes, which combine two of the things I love,” she says. “I’ve always loved to write, I’ve always loved to ride, and I really want to get a business degree, and in addition to that, they’re in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. This means they’re pretty central to all of the things that are happening. They’re two hours from the Virginia Horse Park and Fair Hill, so everything is in a manageable distance. They have a farm on campus, and they have a January term. That’s why I chose to go there, and they gave me a scholarship, which helps pay for horses.”

Be on the lookout for Anna this year at events. Her plan is to move her horse Ripley up to the new-for-2019 FEI one-star level at the Maryland Horse Trials. She took her horses in Aiken this month to contest Paradise Farm H.T. 

Despite Anna’s intense focus and rigorous schedule to meet her goals, in the end she goes the extra mile for her horses because of her genuine love for them and her sport. Riding is what she turns to for solace when all other aspects of her life may seem uncertain. Anna’s mother remembers when Anna was about 10 years old, she told her that “riding makes me forget about anything bad in life and only focus on the good.” Seven years later, Anna still has the same mentality, and she always will as she pursues her aspirations of creating a career out of her passion.

Read more from Grace at her blog, murphyslawofriding.wordpress.com.

4 Things You Need to Know About The Fork at Tryon

By on Feb 21, 2019 9:00 am -

Phillip Dutton and Z, winners of The Fork at Tryon CCI4*-S in 2018. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Entries are now open for The Fork at Tryon, which will run three FEI divisions (CCI4*-S, CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S) and USEA National levels from Beginner Novice to Advanced on April 4-7 at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina. There are a few key things to know about the event this year, so we’ve compiled a handy list.

1. All of the cross country courses — from Beginner Novice through CCI4*-S — will run on turf galloping tracks and not in the arenas. All FEI levels, as well as the Advanced, Intermediate and Preliminary, will run on the White Oak course, which was used for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games. The Modified, Training, Novice and Beginner Novice will run on the gallop tracks on the TIEC side of the property.

2. The FEI divisions are offering $30,000 in prize money.

3. The CCI4*-S at The Fork will serve as an important event when it comes to selection for the 2019 U.S. Pan American Games team. USEF released an addendum to the Pan Ams selection procedures earlier this month, explaining that the course map at the Pan Ams venue in Lima, Peru “appears to be a very twisty course on what we know is flat ground.” Click here to read the full addendum.

“The Fork at Tryon is a competition that may be a test similar to what we will face at the Pan American Games. While it is not mandatory to attend this competition, the belief is that it will be a similar test to what the athletes/horses will face in Lima. With that in mind, and with the historical knowledge we have of the design and preparation of the cross country course at the Fork at Tryon, the CCI4*-S appears be an appropriate test and preparation for athletes/horses who believe they will be in contention for the Pan American Games.”

4. There is a jam-packed schedule of social activities. A riders’ welcome reception will be held on Thursday, April 4. The ladies champagne luncheon to benefit The Brooke Foundation will be held 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday, April. 5 Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online. Comedy club night is 8:30-10 p.m. on Friday. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online. The competitors’ party is Saturday, April 6 from 7-10 p.m. Riders get two tickets and there is a cash bar. More tickets are available online.

Are you going to The Fork at Tryon this year? Let us know in the comments below! Go Eventing.

The Fork at Tryon Links: Website, Omnibus, Volunteer

Thursday News & Notes from Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS)

By on Feb 21, 2019 12:03 am -

Cutest photo EVER of Reggie in his retirement job. Photo by Kathleen Murray.

Honestly, I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head around the new FEI level labels. Every time I see an event or a result posted, I read the number of stars, and immediately have to mentally check myself and convert it into the old star system. I feel like I’m not alone in this, and it will probably persist for at least a year if not more. It just feels … weird? I’m very resistant to change in this way, I need things to be the same, you guys!

National Holiday: National Sticky Bun Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Pine Top Advanced H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Three Lakes at Caudle Ranch H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

How does Maxime Livio choose a young horse to be a potential CCI5* winner? He has five requirements (listed in order of importance) in order to consider putting a young horse into his barn. The top three are elements that you can’t control or change, and the last two are things that can be influenced or improved by training and riding. Follow the link to find out more about the French mastermind. [Top Five Requirements for Young Event Horses]

Looking for a classic three-day for your 2019 calendar? Area II has two scheduled this year, from Beginner Novice through Preliminary! Loch Moy Farm has a delightful BN classic three-day event in September, and Waredaca is hosting their regular Novice through Preliminary three-day in the fall as well. Waredaca has been holding this combination educational and competitive event for over two decades, and it’s a destination event for riders and horses of all levels. [Plan Your Hylofit Classics Three Day Event]

Doesn’t matter what kind of riding you do, this winning round from Victoria Colvin and Private Practice in the $100,000 Hunter Spectacular is incredible. This horse can jump, y’all! And this girl can ride. It’s a real accomplishment to win this class in Wellington, but Tori has won it an astounding five times. She made this course look like a hot knife through butter, but I assure you it wasn’t that easy.  [Winning Ride of the Week]

In every horse owner’s winter nightmare, two Clydesdales escaped their field and fell into a frozen over lake earlier this week. Gunther and Wilhelm broke out of their pasture in Pennsylvania and travelled over a mile from home before both falling through ice in a frozen lake. They subsequently had to be rescued using chainsaws to cut a path back to shore. Their mule friend, Janey, escaped as well but wisely declined to adventure to the frozen lake, proving once and for all that mules really are smarter. [Chainsaws Needed to Free Clydesdales from Frozen Lake]

 

US Equestrian E25/E18 Athletes Reflect on Winter Training Sessions

By on Feb 20, 2019 5:00 pm -

Photo by Zib Thieriot courtesy of US Equestrian.

The U.S. Team riders of tomorrow are in our midst today. The US Equestrian (USEF) Emerging Athlete Lists seek to identify these rising stars and provide them support on their path, as outlined in the 2019 Strategic Plan.

Training sessions are a key component of the plan. Last month young eventers named to the 2019 USEF Emerging Athlete Eventing 25 (E25) and Emerging Athlete Eventing 18 (E18) lists participated in intense three-day winter training sessions with USEF Eventing Emerging Athlete Coach Leslie Law.

Leslie reflected on the sessions: “The [E18 and E25] sessions were very positive and I saw some good kids doing good work across the country. We’re identifying athletes that will become the future team riders for the U.S. in world championships. Talent, temperament and longevity are all a part of that. And we’re seeing how [the program] is making a difference as past participants like Jenny Caras, Hallie Coon, and Caroline Martin are taking steps up.”

In addition to mounted lessons, training sessions on the East Coast and the West Coast also included a variety of lectures from industry experts on business and stable management, training practices, horse nutrition and digestive health, horsemanship, and communications training. Additionally, Daniel Stewart presented a scholarship opportunity available through the USET Foundation for the training sessions he runs.

The East Coast training sessions took place at the Florida Horse Park in Ocala, Florida. The E18 training session was held Jan. 7-10 and the E25 training session was held Jan. 14-17. In addition to lessons with Leslie, sessions included unmounted lectures with Max Corcoran, Chris Barnard, Dr. Lisa Casinella, Katie Wentz and David O’Connor.

The West Coast training sessions were hosted by Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California, from Jan. 28-31. Guest lecturers included Jennifer Myers, Derek di Grazia and Dr. David Bogenrief.

Photo by Zib Thieriot courtesy of US Equestrian.

The educational opportunities provided to these young riders are immeasurable. Here is what a few of the 2019 program participants had to say about their experience:

Cornelia Dorr, E25 (Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass.): “The Eventing 25 [program] has given me not only mentors to learn from and look up to, but also a group of fellow riders my age to relate to. It can be hard to move from the Young Rider age group to the more competitive, older group. To have relationships with other riders in the same transition as I am, as well as mentors to help guide you, has been the biggest takeaway for me every year!”

Dylan Philipps, E18 (Pittsboro, N.C.): “The seminars stressed the importance of good horsemanship and the need for a good team of farriers, vets, and even nutritionists behind you. The program was intensive and inspiring, working alongside and watching the other like-minded and goal-oriented riders.”

Mallory Hogan, E25 (Belvedere, Calif.): “I’ve been fortunate enough to participate in the Eventing 18 program before and this year in the Eventing 25 program. It’s beyond a clinic, and really a time to delve deep into conversation about the future of the sport and what roles we could potentially play in that future. I always come home from the sessions with plenty to work on and think about, and it gets me excited for the upcoming season. This program that the USEF generously offers is really taking the education of the younger generation of riders to a whole new level, and I feel my own riding and horsemanship growing tremendously.”

Brianna Maroney, E18 (Portola Valley, Calif.): “The Emerging Athlete training session was one of the most educational and inspirational [weeks] of my career. Leslie [Law]’s lectures on athlete mentality and the future of the sport left the riders feeling extremely motivated. He did an exceptional job helping me to establish a new warm-up routine for my show jumping, and, because of this, I am feeling more confident than ever to begin the 2019 season. Leslie regards all his riders as young professionals and was so helpful in sorting out our short-term and long-term goals.”

Learn more about the Eventing 25 Program, the Eventing 18 Program, and follow USA Eventing on Facebook.

[Emerging Athlete Eventing 25 and Eventing 18 Program Participants Complete Intensive Training Sessions in Florida and California]

Boyd Martin/ETB Equine Construction Schooling XC Course Now Open at Stable View

By on Feb 20, 2019 4:00 pm -

Photo courtesy of Christine Rhodes/Stable View.

Practice makes perfect, and Aiken area riders now have a new venue at which to perfect their game. The Boyd Martin/ETB Equine Construction Schooling Cross Country Course at Stable View opened at the beginning of February 2019, and is now open from dawn until dusk Monday through Friday and on Saturday/Sunday by appointment.

The schooling field consists of 10 acres located on Springfield Church Road and is fully irrigated with water cannons. The sandy soil has been seeded with the Celebration variety of Bermuda grass as well as winter rye. The course is geared to horses competing at Preliminary and up; because some of the turf is new, this will spare some traffic, and after the footing is more established, more lower level jumps will be added for next winter.

Eric Bull explains that the Celebration Bermuda grass puts down more roots and gets thicker than the usual variety of Bermuda grass: “You can tell the difference when you walk across the new grass, even with your eyes closed; it’s remarkably cushier and thicker than the previously existing turf.”

Photo courtesy of Christine Rhodes/Stable View.

The course features water, a sunken road, numerous ditches and portable jumps including corners, triple brushes, tables, offset brushes, cabins and more. Boyd will move the jumps around each week, creating new combinations for riders to school. Most of the jumps themselves are simple and straightforward, so the challenges will change with the setup.

Boyd says, “I’ve been around the world competing over some of the toughest modern eventing courses. To be competitive in eventing these days you really need to school combinations typical of these courses, and that is what we are aiming to bring to the Aiken horse community.”

All of the portable jumps are offered for sale by ETB Equine Construction. You can either order an identical jump to be delivered to the farm, or arrange payment and take home a jump directly off the course (and then ETB will bring in a replacement for schooling).

Riders can just drop in, no reservation required. The course will be monitored by closed circuit video camera for safety. The schooling fee is $60, which can be paid by the honor system with a mailbox on-site which will also contain Emergency Release forms.

For more information, contact Stable View at [email protected] or 484-356-3173. Visit the website here.

Watch Phillip Dutton and Lillian Heard schooling the course via these videos courtesy of Boyd Martin and Amber Heintzberger: 

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Five-Star Horses Stretch Legs at Rocking Horse

By on Feb 20, 2019 1:30 pm -

It’s fun to see five-star horses (will I ever get used to typing that?!) out knocking the rust off at early season horse trials, and we got an eyeful at Rocking Horse Winter II H.T. over the weekend.

David Frechette, a.k.a HorsePesterer, was out and about with his video camera filming the action. Speaking of David, we are thrilled to report that with YOUR help, he has been able to fundraise enough for not only a new camcorder, but also funds toward Amanda Gardiner’s Rebecca Farm Young Rider Fund. Now any additional money donated (visit his GoFundMe here) will be given out as either prize money or a scholarship. “This is what motivates me to video eventing!” he says.

We truly appreciate your service to the sport, David. It’s the least we can do.

Here is some cross country video of the five-star veterans spotted in Advanced divisions. We hope to see them at Kentucky and/or beyond later this year!

Buck Davidson and Carlevo posted the lowest Advanced dressage score of either division, a 25.7, and added 4.8 cross country time penalties to finish 2nd in the Advanced Test A division. Carlevo was 20th at Kentucky last year in his debut at the level. Watch part 2 here.

Buck and Copper Beach led the Advanced Test B dressage on a score of 26.7, adding a rail and 8.4 time to finish 5th in the Advanced Test B division. Copper Beach has completed three CCI5*s, most recently finishing 10th at Kentucky last year. Watch part 2 here.

Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me added nothing to their dressage score of 31.6 to finish 3rd in Advanced Test A. Honor Me has thrice completed Kentucky and also represented Canada at the 2018 WEG in Tryon.

Ashley Johnson and two-time Kentucky finisher Tactical Maneuver finished 8th in Advanced Test B.

Other CCI5* veterans: Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High won Advanced Test B on their dressage score of 28.3; Ellen Doughty-Hume and Sir Oberon were 4th and Sydney Elliot and Cisko A were 12th in the same division. Buck Davidson had Park Trader out but withdrew before cross country. Another handful of CCI5* horses were seen cruising around the Intermediate course.

And … we’ve got one helmet cam! Elisa Wallace and Simply Priceless added a couple rails to their dressage score of 27.7 to finish 3rd in Advanced Test B. This pair has finished Kentucky three times and also finished 14th at Burghley in 2016.

View complete Rocking Horse event results here. Go Eventing.

JointWise TM

Need to preserve healthy joints?

Ask your vet about JointWise™.

JointWise:
• Maintains a balanced immune response within the joint, decreasing damaging inflammation
and the development of osteoarthritis.
• Preserves fluid motion and flexibility.
• Supplies the building blocks necessary to support normal cartilage growth and the
regeneration of damaged tissues.
• Sustains ample high-quality synovial fluid, which lubricates and nourishes the joints.

For more information, visit KPPusa.com..