Classic Eventing Nation

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: New Year, New Opportunities

By on Jan 2, 2019 12:00 pm -

Happy New Year! It’s a clean slate, a fresh start, a blank page, and all those other clichés. This is the time of year that has everybody thinking about new possibilities and new opportunities. For sure, it’s nice to tie a fresh start to a calendar date, but in reality it isn’t really necessary. You can start afresh at any time, and there’s no better example of that than Thoroughbred racehorses looking for second careers.

Here are our three picks of the week who are looking for a fresh start of their own. Oh, and a belated Happy Birthday to them all as well!

Michazl John. Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Inc.

Michazl John (STROLL – BUSHRA, BY DANZIG): 2014 16.2-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

Here is a big-boned, handsome gelding that is surely just what many OTTB shoppers are looking for. Michazl John made just shy of $60,000 in his 26 starts on the racetrack so he’s certainly athletic, but his connections think he is ready to move on to a different career. According to them, he’s a good horse to work around and ride and the Finger Lakes volunteers who met him for his listing thought he was very classy and composed even on a very windy day. Michazl John is clean-legged and said to be sound with no vices.

Located in Farmington, New York.

View Michazl John on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds Inc.

I’m Old School. Photo via CANTER Chicago.

I’m Old School (KIPLING – W W OLD SCHOOL, BY ROYAL ACADEMY): 2010 16.0-hand Illinois-bred gelding

At 69 career starts and just over $130,000 in winnings, I’m Old School is a lovable warhorse who still has plenty of spring in his step. I’m Old School is sound with no vices or previous injuries and is being retired from his owner’s large stable to make room for some up-and-coming prospects. Like many warhorses, he’s a level-headed gentleman. He also seems very sweet and intelligent and should be a joy to have in the barn.

Located at Hawthorne Race Course.

View I’m Old School on CANTER Chicago.

Critical Thinker. Photo via CANTER PA.

Critical Thinker (ALPHABET SOUP – VEILED REFERENCE, BY LOUIS QUATORZE): 2011 16.0-hand New York-bred mare

This mare has been a good athlete for her connections and her current trainer, who she’s been with for the past three years. Her trainer says she does everything right and is easy and pleasant to be around, in addition to being very athletic. Critical Thinking hasn’t actually raced in the last year, but she does have published workouts as recently as a few weeks ago so she is eligible for the 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover.

Located in Grantville, Pennsylvania.

View Critical Thinker on CANTER PA.

Horse Math: The Case for the Minimum

By on Jan 2, 2019 9:00 am -

Photo courtesy of Laura Harris.

At home, one cannot simply have one horse. All horse people know this. Just like horses are mysteriously ingrained in our DNA, so is the longing for more horses. We crave more, nay, we need more horses for a reason. It is documented fact that one horse is just impossible. In fact, Horse Math© clearly dictates you need at least 4. FOUR?!? Your spouse indignantly responds. Yes, 4. AT LEAST. Let me explain.

One horse in a pasture is just summoning trouble. Horses are herd animals and are meant to be in a group, they need another horse to help them feel secure. One horse in a pasture can hurt himself in any number of ways. Jumping out and colic readily come to mind. The vet bill is the pièce de résistance in this argument. A lone horse is sad horse. (Or a jerk, but that isn’t the point.) A lonely, sad, stressed horse is going to rack up a vet bill that will put said vet’s Yorkie through college. Twice. Long story, and long vet bill, made short: horses are not meant to be all by their onesie.

Even a buddy in the next field is something. Everyone needs friends. Donkeys, mules, and goats are all excellent companions. However, sometimes one really just wants a friend who understands. You know, another horse. It just isn’t quite the same explaining to the donkey how you got in deep at the last table and galloped home clear. The goat just wants to eat French pastries, and the chickens just want to talk Nietzsche. Pretentious…

So you get another horse. Two is better than one! Onesie has a friend, he is forming a herd. Look how we don’t need the vet to come oil him every month. Aren’t they so cute together? They go everywhere together, drink together, roll together, ignore your attempts to catch them together. Oh, how they sing to each other while you are tacking up, that is … lovely. Two is so much better—it makes sense. All is right in the world. You could even take go on a trail ride with someone! You have a built-in extra, an auxiliary horse as it were. But wait! What happens when you travel out to a show or lesson, you are leaving Twoey all alone. See above about one horse.

So you get a third horse, so no one is ever left home alone. Phew, disaster averted. Except … you know you are going to school cross country and you’re taking Twoey for your friend since you have an extra horse, or taking the husband horse out for a trail. You have three horses, you will inevitably be called upon at some point by a horseless friend. Besides, you don’t have a one horse trailer, you have a 2h. Do the math. That leaves Trey all alone. See above about one horse.

Finally, you have four horses. No one is ever alone at home, on the road, in the house, wherever! No one is ever alone again. If one horse goes out, there are at least 2 at home, if 2 go out, there are still two at home. It is all the horse logic in the world. You CANNOT have one horse. It is a law against horse nature. You cannot have one horse, so you need 4. Get it?

See. Not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 horses is the minimum needed to have one horse. I know what you’re thinking, I can get away with 3 horses. Perhaps you even think you’ll just get a donkey. Donkey doesn’t care if she’s left alone. But, c’mon, how silly is that? The donkey is your security guard, she’ll keep the coyotes away, but you really need another horse for companionship. Or 3. It makes all the sense in the world when you look at from Horse Logic standpoint. And depending how highly skilled you are in Horse Logic, the need for a 4 horse gooseneck will be your next discussion with your checkbook.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Jan 2, 2019 12:01 am -

Beaches where I am not. Photo via Jenni Autry’s Instagram.

After a long holiday in which some people worked and did home improvements (me) while others took the time away for a quick beach vacation in the warmth and sand (not me), it’s time to get back to work! I’ll be the first admit that while I love doing nothing, I also am climbing the wall with no news happening. Ready for the new year!

National Holiday: Run up the Flagpole and See if Anyone Salutes Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Wait for it…..

Your Wednesday News & Notes

The Chronicle recaps their 10 best blogs of 2018. 

The USEA looks back at a year of eventing. 

The Chronicle presents some of their favorite photos from 2018.

The Chronicle reminisces over some of their favorite moments from 2018.

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.

Tuesday Video from SpectraVet: A Horsey Happy New Year!

By on Jan 1, 2019 5:00 pm -

Welcome to 2019! It looks like there’s no one more excited than the Internet’s newest star: Kindling. The 5-year-old Norwegian Fjord blew me away with his show stopping sparkles. He isn’t a one trick pony though, he’s got videos for every holiday (See: Christmas, Canada Day, Easter).

Go 2019. Go Eventing.

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The Benefits of Being Horse Poor

By on Jan 1, 2019 3:30 pm -

Photo courtesy of Laura Harris.

Horse Poor is the state of being penniless due to having, loving, riding, looking at horses. Perhaps one would take vacations or have cars made from the current decade if one were to not have horses. But then again, what one would really do with all that extra time and money? Sounds boring.

However, believe it or not, there are some advantages to the Horse Poor Lifestyle. Besides teaching kids about the value of hard work, blah blah blah, and reminding adults just how sore their bodies can be, lessons can be learned in the art of creativity, grit, and sacrifice. 

Creativity

One of the benefits to being Horse Poor is making something from nothing. No, I’m not talking about starting and making your horse yourself. I’m not even talking about how you sell Rodan & Fields in your sidegig. Perhaps Macgyvering is an antiquated term, but raise your hand if you have:

  •  Duct taped your boots together to make it into the ring or a lesson
  • Used bailing twine to fix a fence or gate
  • Know that if lightning struck your frankensteinian bridle, it just might come to life
  • Zip tied a blanket, halter, or bra strap
  • Crazy glued your soles back to your boots
  • Learned to sew and mend just to save your favorite breeches
  • Used a saddle pad as a make shift sling or emergency padding

To become certified in Horse Poor Creativity™, you really need to stretch the limits of your imagination to accomplish a task as affordably and effectively as possible. The non-horseperson equivalent is most likely rewashing the papertowels and plastic baggies for future use. Except, in the Horse Poor horseworld, instead of being ridiculed, you are lauded for your ingenuity. 

Grit

Another plus to being Horse Poor: Want it? Work for it. Such a luxury to have horses, but such hustle to make it happen. The grit horsemen have is undeniable and unparalleled. Broke your foot? Well, the hospital can wait until everyone is fed, turned out, and all the chores are done. Bone protruding? Reference above, duct tape and zip ties are your constant friends. 

The grit comes because our sport is an expensive one. Many outsiders think we have money because we have horses, but the insiders know how laughable the misconception is. We know exactly what the next show, clinic, lesson costs in Ramen. We work extra jobs to generate extra income and to pay off vet bills. We know how far we can push ourselves and stretch our dollars. Being Horse Poor asks you if you really want it. If you didn’t, why would you put yourself through all the drudgery? 

Having grit and hustle becomes an asset in this crazy sport. Sure, being able to put your bills on autopay and go crazy at the tack store (ahem or Finger Lakes Finest) would really feel good. Working incredibly, ridiculously, absurdly, needlessly hard at something to eventually earn a modicum of success in the nebulous future? Priceless. If ‘nothing tastes as good as skinny feels’ then nothing bought feels as good as something earned. We aren’t talking 25¢ satin here. It may be working extra hours at the store to get that lesson or nailing the lead change precisely upon turning in your homework to your instructor. Sure, there is a way to buy what you want, but when you earn it you value it more.

Sacrifice

Another benefit to being Horse Poor is it makes you prioritize. We go without so our horses, or kids, don’t have to. You know you’re broke when you feed the dogs and not yourself. Or that you wear the same pair of Target flats nearly every day all year until you’re basically walking barefoot, but Angel Muffin gets new kicks every four weeks, like clockwork. Sacrifice is unique in every situation. Everyone has a line, and as if psychic, your horse unwittingly knows how to push you to said line. 

Like Grit, Sacrifice takes deliberate and intentional toiling away. However, where they differ seems to be that grit earns the reward. Grit is not giving in and not giving up, sacrifice comes from letting go.  Sacrifice supports grit due to Opportunity Cost; every choice means letting the other option go. Sacrifice is knowing full well what you are kissing goodbye. Goodbye, retirement! Goodbye, Caribbean honeymoon! Goodbye, sanity! Hello, horses. 

Ultimately, Horse Poor is nothing to be ashamed of, rather it is a badge of honor. Maybe the world sees some silly choices, like who really needs 10 bridles, 30 saddle pads, 25 pairs of breeches, countless assorted polos, four helmets, and every bit every made for one horse? No, that’s just aposematism—a warning for those that can’t handle the equestrogen. Part of the world can’t handle us, we are strong, we are inventive, we grind, we carefully consider and select. We are intimidating and a force to be reckoned with should we so chose. Horse Poor can be your shame, or it can be your strength.

Let’s Discuss: What Are Your Goals for 2019?

By on Jan 1, 2019 9:00 am -

Each week in “Let’s Discuss” we open a different topic up for discussion. Have a discussion starter? Email it to [email protected].

Research has shown that writing down your goals substantially increases your chances of achieving them — check out this goals research study by Dr. Gail Matthews of California’s Dominican University. We all know that horses have a knack for crashing even the most well-laid plans, but fear of failure shouldn’t stop us from trying (unless, perhaps, you’re considering a front flip off your horse).

The beginning of a New Year always feels like a fresh opportunity to identify our goals and create a path for achieving them. So what are yours, and how are you going to get there? Share in the comments section below! In writing them please know that you are supported by the EN community — this is a safe space for dreams!

New Years Day News & Notes from Legends Horse Feeds

By on Jan 1, 2019 12:01 am -

Running into the New Year like… Photo by Shelby Allen.

Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe that we’re already to 2019, but here we are heading full speed into anther season. Thanks for coming along for the ride with us. Roll on 2019!

National Holiday: New Year’s Day (Or National Hangover Day)

Events Opening This Week: Fresno County Horse Park CCI & H.T.; Paradise Farm H.T.; Rocking Horse Winter II H.T.

Events Closing This Week: Grand Oaks H.T.

Tuesday News: 

2018 was an unbelievably memorable year for eventing. The Price family dominated four-stars, the Brits claimed all the fame at Tryon and we saw some up-and-coming stars shine. EquiRatings takes us through all the highlights from A-Z. [The A-Z of 2018]

The USEA has shared the sport with our country for coming on 60 years and there are many moving pieces. I worked with the USEA straight out of college, and it was such an eye opening experience. The staff and the volunteers pour their heart into it. [Past, Present, and Future: Who Are the Power Players of the USEA?]

What does a New Year’s resolution mean to you? [2019 Resolutions For Horse-Humans]

Hot on Horse Nation: Reader’s favorite stories of 2018

Sunday Video: 

Monday Video from Total Saddle Fit: One More Contender for Save of the Year

By on Dec 31, 2018 5:30 pm -

Kevin Wynne's Clerk Skills

Kevin Wynne, 75-year-old clerk of the course, might not know what all the fuss is about but we are still seriously impressed at this vision of his pre-race heroics at Cranbourne Turf Club on Friday!

Posted by Racing.com on Saturday, December 29, 2018

In case you missed it, EN’s list of Most Impressive Saves of 2018 was posted yesterday and even though the clock is ticking down on 2018, we found one more great save that certainly deserves a shoutout before the year is over.

On Friday night spectators at the Cranbourne Turf Club in Victoria, Australia were witness to a masterful display of horsemanship just prior to the fourth race as the number 11 horse, Lady Bell, dumped her jockey in the paddock, spooked, and took off at a full gallop around the course. She was chased down by 75-year-old Kevin Wynne, a former jumps jockey and outrider of nearly 20 years, who caught the filly at full speed and brought her safely back to a walk. It may have been a spectacular save, but of course to Mr. Wynne says he was just doing his job. Bravo, sir!

4 Eventers We Were Inspired By in 2018

By on Dec 31, 2018 3:30 pm -

Every year the EN team looks back on the last 12 months and tries to narrow down the many remarkable stories of hardworking, determined, passionate eventers to include in the annual list of eventers who inspired us. If it were possible to fit into one post, we’d put every single one of you on our list. You are an incredible bunch and we are so honored to follow along as you chase your dreams.

Here are the stories of four eventers who inspired the EN team this year. Go Eventing.

Jessica Thoma and Sugar at Dressage By The River, held at River Glen Equestrian Center. Photo courtesy of Jessica Thoma.

Jessica Thoma, AKA #TripleAmputeeEventer:

We were all deeply moved by the heart-wrenching yet inspirational story of Jessica Thoma, the 26-year-old Tennessee eventer whose legs and left arm were amputated in January 2018. For all her losses, Jessica’s determination to return to the saddle was unwavering, and horses have been her rock through both her illness and recovery.

“I have some really big dreams and plans and I have a HUGE support team cheering me on!,” she told EN. “I will do eventing again soon! Hopefully next year! #TripleAmputeeEventer isn’t just a tag I put on my photos — it is my dream.”

Jessica was back on the lunge line by late spring, and in August she returned to competition at a dressage show at USEA event venue River Glen Equestrian Park, scoring an incredible 8.5 on rider position in the collective marks of her Intro test. She continues to progress and we know she’ll seal the deal on her dream soon.

“It’s hard to believe that in just a few days it will be a year since my amputations,” Jessica wrote on Facebook over the weekend. “I’ve already ridden five different horses, shown Sugar in a dressage show, done three clinics, learned to walk on prosthetics, and got my job back at Tractor Supply Co. Thank you all for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”

Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin at Fair Hill 2018. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Frankie Thieriot-Stutes and Chatwin, 2018 USEF National CCI3* Champions: 

As an amateur upper-level eventer, mother of two toddlers and owner of two businesses, Frankie Thieriot-Stutes has a lot on her plate. But her hard work and focus paid off this year, when The Chatwin Group’s Chatwin became the only horse in the country to have won two CCI3* events during the 2018 season, taking top honors at both Rebecca Farm and Fair Hill.

“What an incredible year this was for me for sure,” Frankie told EN at Fair Hill. Ever humble, the Californian is always quick to credit her family and her support team for her and Chatwin’s success. “This week I was thinking how grateful I am for the people who get you where you’re going.”

If anything, having a well-rounded life has served to enrich Frankie’s involvement in horse sport — and inspire everything watching to keep the big picture in mind.

“I think when you become a mom, it puts things in perspective, good and bad,” she reflected at Rebecca Farm. “You can have the greatest day ever, but it’s even better to have your kids in the [vet] box, and they can see how excited you are and see you’re safe. It’s put a lot into perspective for me. If it goes great that’s awesome, and if it doesn’t, there are things that matter a lot more than one ride. I’ve been trying to take in the moments this week and have a great time.”

From “#MeToo: A Letter to Myself as a Young Rider,” shared on EN in December 2017.

The Silence Breakers of the Equestrian #MeToo Movement:

Last year, with the Larry Nassar case underway and the #MeToo movement dominating the news cycle, we here at Nation Media wondered why nobody in the equestrian world was speaking up about our own sport’s secrets. On Dec. 15, 2017 we shared the silence-breaking “#MeToo: A Letter to Myself as a Young Rider,” a personal account of the grooming and sexual abuse of a minor, followed by a call to action.

The Chronicle of The Horse’s April 4, 2018 issue (see “#MeToo: The Story of a Trainer, a Trophy and an All-Too-Common Betrayal” and “From Survivor To Chef d’Equipe: My Story“) was a game changer — proof that our sport’s culture of silence was changing, and affirmation that no one is above the law. It spurred a lengthy article in today’s New York Times, “The Equestrian Coach Who Minted Olympians, and Left a Trail of Child Molestation, among revelations in other media outlets and the airing of The Tale, an HBO true-story biopic starring Laura Dern that depicted sexual abuse of a minor by a riding instructor.

This mainstream attention opened the floodgates for public discourse, and for other victims to come forward or at least feel less alone. It also spotlighted the need for systemic reform. The USEF responded with a rollout of SafeSport policy and programming reform, including a new mandate effective 2019 that all USEF members must complete SafeSport training to be eligible to compete.

Correspondingly, Senate Bill 534, Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017, was signed into law, imposing a duty on amateur sports organizations, including US Equestrian and its members, to report suspected sex-abuse to local or federal law enforcement or to a child-welfare agency within 24 hours. Failure to report is now subject to criminal penalties.

We applaud the USEF’s proactive approach and commitment to protecting our sports athletes, particularly those who are young and especially vulnerable to abuse. And even more so, we salute the brave silence breakers of the equestrian world, who raised their hands and said “me too.” We heard you, loud and clear. Time is up for abuse in our sport.

Jonty Evans and Cooley Rorkes Drift go into second after their dressage test at Badminton 2018. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Jonty Evans, traumatic brain injury survivor:

The Irish eventer continues to make steady progress in his recovery from a traumatic brain injury sustained in a fall from Cooley Rorkes Drift at Tattersalls International Horse Trials on June 3, 2018. After spending six weeks in a coma, Jonty awoke to overwhelming support from the eventing family.

He spoke candidly about his recovery in this recent video interview: “The challenges you face when you are getting better are normal. As each hurdle is overcome, you doubt yourself, and it sounds odds. Physically you’re getting closer, but mentally you feel further away because you realize exactly how much there is to do, and that can be really tough.

“When I came out of the coma, some time later my mother and sister tried to express how much support there had been. I didn’t believe them. When you come out of the coma and into the real world, it’s very difficult to comprehend that level of exposure or support.”

The eventing world rallied behind Jonty after his fall, wearing green in his honor at events around the world.

Whether Jonty will return to riding and competing remains a question, but Jonty said he wants to be the one who ultimately makes that decision: “I would like above everything most of all for me to make the choice. That’s important to me — that I decide if I event again, I decide which tracks I do, I make the choice. At the moment, it’s one day at a time.”

We support you, Jonty.

Who inspired YOU in 2018? Let us know in the comments! 

Year in Review: The EN Stories You Loved the Most in 2018

By on Dec 31, 2018 11:30 am -

As you would expect with the most-read eventing news source on the internet, heavy-hitting headlines lead the way when we tabulate which stories on EN received the most views in 2018. But as we look through the posts that captured the most clicks this year, it’s worth taking a deeper dive to remember the stories that made us laugh and cry, inspired us, and ultimately made us fall even more head-over-heels in love with the sport.

Amidst the more than 7 million page views EN received in 2018, our coverage of the FEI World Equestrian Games dominated the list of most-viewed posts. EN’s coverage of the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event followed closely behind Tryon, with our coverage of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials hot on Kentucky’s heels.

It’s no secret that controversial stories dominated eventing headlines this year. Cases of visible blood  and excessive whip use on cross country clocked in as the #2 and #10 most-read stories on EN this year. Those incidents ultimately spurred the FEI to introduce new rule changes that will take effect in 2019. (While we have your attention, be sure to brush up on the new rules.)

On a lighter note, celebrating April Fool’s Day is a time-honored tradition here at EN, so we were delighted to see our bogus story about the FEI unanimously voting to ban dogs from all competitions ranking as the #6 most-read story of the year.

While contentious headlines will always garner clicks by nature, one of EN’s driving missions is to celebrate the positive in the sport, especially tales of triumph in the face of adversity. The clicks on stories about Jonty Evans’s fall at Tattersalls and subsequent recovery from a traumatic brain injury rivaled our major event coverage. The outpouring of love and support for Jonty this year truly showcased the eventing community at its best.

With that concept in mind, here are a few of EN’s most-read stories of 2018 that might not have ranked in the top 10 but are very much worthy of revisiting.

On Being a Girl: An Eventer Goes Dress Shopping: We laughed until we cried while reading Rachel Skirvin’s opus about shopping for a bridesmaid’s dress her friend’s wedding. This snippet in particular had us in stitches: “What looks good on a 5’ Midwestern sausage with man shoulders and a slowly fading farmers tan? Nothing.”

The Last Ride: Cat Hill’s post about the decision to place her horse on stall rest following an injury — all the while knowing she might never be able to ride him again — so aptly captures the raw emotion of making that agonizing call. “If I’ve had my last ride on him, I will not mourn for more. I already got more than I could have ever hoped for. But I wish I had known. I wish I had been able to say goodbye to that chapter.”

As Inmidair Retires, Jan Byyny Reflects on Her Horse of a Lifetime: From aiding her recovery from a life-changing accident to becoming the U.S. National CCI3* Champion, Jan Byyny tells JR’s emotional story with touching candor: “We never know what’s going to happen in our lives, but I’m so thankful for everything he has done for me. It was JR who gave me my life back.”

This ‘ISO Horse to Lease’ Is Honesty at Its Most Hilarious: “Seriously though, we’re not interested in your 6yo, 1.5m horse that you want to lease out for $10k a year. I wish … but not right now. I need school-master, broke to death, has maintenance issues, ugly as sin, out of shape, you really don’t care about money but want him to have a great home. Oh, and not across the continental US from GA because I only do a 6 hour radius due to sweet tea.”

6 Times the WEG Vendor Village Made George Morris Die, Just So He Could Roll Over in His Grave: When I saw Leslie Wylie’s proposed headline for this post before we published it, I nervously asked her to change it for fear of backlash from readers. She told me to trust that y’all would love it, and she was 100% right. This illustrated guide to blingy boots, browbands and helmets that George would most definitely not approve of landed a spot in EN’s top 20 most-read posts of 2018.

Robin Godel’s Save of the Day at WEG: We saw some spectacular saves and valiant recovery efforts on cross country day at the FEI World Equestrian Games, but Switzerland’s Robin Godel defied gravity in making this save — with help from his horse Grandeur de Lully CH.

What were your other favorites stories of 2018, EN? Let us know in the comments below.

Thank you for trusting EN as your go-to news source. We are humbled by your support and vow to continue covering the sport with the utmost dedication, integrity and insanity in 2019 and beyond.

Happy New Year! Go Eventing.