Classic Eventing Nation

Team Switzerland Triumphs on Home Turf at Avenches FEI Eventing Nations Cup

By on Jul 28, 2025 12:00 pm -

Team Switzerland take the win for the CCIO4*-S FEI Eventing Nations Cup | Switzerland: Robin Godel rides Grandeur de Lully CH; Nadja Minder rides Top Job’s Jalisco; Mélody Johner rides Erin; Felix Vogg rides Cartania. 2025 SUI-IENA Avenches International Horse Trials. Photo: Libby Law Photography

Switzerland celebrated a landmark victory at the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ 2025 leg held in Avenches (SUI), leading from start to finish and securing the top podium spot in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. Hosted at the Institut Équestre National Avenches (IENA), the competition marked a pivotal moment in the Nations Cup season and underlined Switzerland’s growing dominance in international Eventing. Remarkably, the team also won this event last year with the same athlete line-up.

The Swiss team—Robin Godel, Mélody Johner, Nadja Minder, and Felix Vogg—were the same athletes selected to compete at the Paris Olympics last year. This talented quartet showcased exceptional consistency and composure across all three phases of the CCIO4*-NC-S. Their final team score of 100.4 comfortably secured the win ahead of Germany (141.7) and France (175.6), improving on their 2024 winning score of 127.7. It was also one of the lowest finishing scores recorded in the 2025 Nations Cup season so far, despite a star-studded field that included reigning Olympic champion and former Avenches winner Michael Jung of Germany, as well as Belgium’s Lara de Liedekerke-Meier, who has already claimed 14 international victories this year.

Felix Vogg and Colera. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

As is the nature of the Nations Cup Series, the event also featured several rising stars making team debuts, with nations using the series as a valuable opportunity to give emerging athletes team experience.

Felix Vogg led the way on his 17-year-old gelding, Colero. The pair were in second place behind Jung after Dressage, before delivering a double clear and picking up just 3.6 time penalties. This secured second place individually with a score of 31.2—only 0.1 behind Vogg’s other ride, Cartania, who took the individual win on 31.1.

Nadja Minder and Top Job’s Jalisco. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

Nadja Minder also delivered a double clear on her Paris Olympic mount, the Polish-bred Top Job’s Jalisco, finishing third individually on a score of 32.2 with one of the fastest Cross-Country rounds of the day. Mélody Johner and Robin Godel rounded out the team effort, placing fifth and seventh respectively. Johner’s 10-year-old Spanish-bred gelding, Erin, looks to be a very exciting prospect for the future, while Godel was partnered with his long-time companion Grandeur de Lully CH. The 17-year-old Swiss gelding has been a consistent performer at major championships and is currently the highest-rated Swiss event horse.

Avenches is a particularly stunning venue on the Nations Cup circuit. It is Switzerland’s only four-star venue and has recently been announced as the host of the FEI Eventing European Championship 2027, having previously staged the event in 2021. Since its debut in 2020, Avenches has developed a reputation for producing a tough Cross-Country test, with time playing a major role. All four Swiss athletes produced fast clears in this phase. With the FEI Eventing European Championship at Blenheim Palace (GBR) in September fast approaching, this performance firmly establishes Switzerland as medal contenders.

Melody Johner andhttps://eventingnation.com/ Erin. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

Speaking after their performance team coach Andrew Nicholson summed up their performance. “I’m very proud of them all. They all did a superb job in all phases and it’s a great pleasure to work with them. I think they are going in the right direction. Sone of our other riders- the younger ones have done a very good job in the same competition so that’s looking good for the future and I am very proud to be part of it. They are looking good for Blenheim and they will do their best for sure and it’s another step up the ladder”.

Dominique Burger is the Chef d’Equipe of the Swiss team and was equally enthusiastic with the home victory. “It is fantastic. It is very satisfying for all the work that is done. It was a compact team performance; we never had it like that that that our result not to count for dressage was 31.6. This was already fantastic and, in the cross-country, they worked fantastically. Also the showjumping was good. We think we are on a good track and we will no work to get better and better.”

Robin Godel and Grandeur de Lully CH. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

Avenches was the third leg of the 2025 Series and the half-way point. Germany leads with 170 points, followed by France on 150. Switzerland, having only competed once so far, now sits in strong contention with 100 points, the same tally as Sweden and Great Britain. The Series next moves to Arville, Belgium, from August 13-17.

FEI Eventing Nations Cup – Avenches (Switzerland): [Website] [Scores] [Live Stream Replays]

Boyd Martin and Miss Lulu Herself Win Advanced Division at 40th Annual Millbrook Horse Trials

By on Jul 28, 2025 9:00 am -

Boyd Martin and Miss Lulu Herself. Photo by Amber Heintzberger.

With one of only three clear rounds in the final phase of competition, Olympic veteran Boyd Martin, Cochranville, PA, claimed victory in the Advanced division of the of the Millbrook Horse Trials riding Bonnie Stedt’s Miss Lulu Herself (44.9). A light rain was falling as onlookers cheered from the VIP tents, many of them with connections to Martin and his horses. The spicy, 12-year-old chestnut Hanoverian mare (Stolzenfels x Noisette) looked eager to jump around and had no problem leaving the rails in their cups.

Katie Lichten and Hickstead Musterd had one rail down to make way for Brooke Burchianti and her KWPN gelding Cooley Space Gray (by Harley VDL) to finish second overall (45.4), with Lichten finishing third (49.1 on Hickstead Musterd as well as fifth with her Irish Sport Horse gelding HTS Jensen (by Tolan R) who also had one rail down (74.7). Caitlin Silliman and her big, athletic Trakehner mare Ally KGO (Hirtentanz *E* x Annabelle Lee) had one rail down to finish fourth (55.0).

Ten horses out of 19 starters completed the competition in the advanced division.

Martin said, “This is a very, very special mare, Miss Lulu Herself. We bought her as a four-year-old, sight unseen, and Bonnie was the only owner crazy enough to buy one off the video. Usually that technique doesn’t work, but we’re very fortunate that it came off with Lulu. She’s a great jumper and tries hard, and it’s a great victory here at Millbrook.”

He said, “She’s an energetic chestnut mare and she sort of pranced out of the stables this morning. I did a bit of flat work with her and she felt like a million bucks, so deep down I knew she’d jump well, but in show jumping, you know, anything can still go wrong. It was a good track, and there’s always a bit of pressure when you jump in reverse order of standing, but there was a great crowd here cheering us on.”

Brooke Burchianti and Cooley Space Gray. Photo by Amber Heintzberger.

Bonnie Stedt has owned horses for Martin since he first moved to the United States from Australia more than fifteen years ago. “Millbrook is my second home and Bonnie was one of my first supporters when I arrived off the boat and has been very generous during my career, helping me along with horses like Neville Bardos and Shamwari,” he said. “She was right there from the beginning. I wish her well; she’s a bit crook at the moment and is currently down in Aiken, South Carolina, but I’m thrilled to win this event on her horse, in her hometown.”

Katie Lichten won the Open Intermediate A division riding Fast Company (Contendro x E Blue Star), and Martin finished second riding the Annie Goodwin Syndicate’s Fedarman B (Eurocommerce Washington x Paulien B). Monica Spencer, riding for New Zealand but currently also based in Cochranville, PA, placed third on Valkyrie.

Savannah Fulton won Open Intermediate B riding Cash and Carry, a Holsteiner gelding owned by Nelson Warnell. Monica Spencer placed second with David and Karie Thompson’s Marvel, and Millbrook local Booli Selmayr finished third riding Quality Touchdown. Selmayr also won the Open Modified division riding Uptown Girl. The Modified Rider division was won by
Julie Crispin riding Magnific C’Imagination.

This was the first year that the Modified division was added to Millbrook Horse Trials, and the new cross country course was built after a great fundraising effort. The title sponsor was Millbrook Equine, who also hosted a cooling station for horses and riders after cross country. Numerous farms and individuals also stepped up to sponsor fences and make financial contributions to support the addition of the Modified level to the Millbrook Horse Trials. A total of 35 horse and rider combinations competed in the two Modified divisions.

Millbrook H.T. (NY): [Website] [Scores]

Monday News & Notes from Futuretrack

By on Jul 28, 2025 12:01 am -

Un día verdaderamento perfecto: después de 3 exitosas fases de prueba completa y el enorme trabajo de un gran equipo,…

Posted by La Finca Centro Ecuestre on Thursday, July 24, 2025

A very cool story coming to us from Costa Rica today! We’d like to congratulate Leonor Muñoz Ortiz, who’s been a strong advocate for the growth of the sport in Costa Rica through her involvement with La Finca Centro Ecuestre, achieved her Minimum Eligibility Requirement qualification that will allow her to compete in the upcoming Central American in October! This iteration of the Games will be held in Guatemala from October 18-30. You can learn more about the Central American Games here, and stay tuned as we’ll be catching up with Leonor here on EN soon.

U.S. Weekend Results

Millbrook H.T. (NY): [Website] [Scores]

Hunt Club Farms H.T. (VA): [Website] [Scores]

Stone Gate Farm Mini Trial (OH): [Website] []

Major International Events

Glen Oro H.T. (Ontario):[Website] [Scores]

Burgham International (UK): [Website] [Scores] [Live Stream Replays]

FEI Eventing Nations Cup – Avenches (Switzerland): [Website] [Scores] [Live Stream Replays]

News & Reading

It’s AEC season, and the USEA is rounding up some inspiring stories about competitors heading to Galway Downs in just under a month’s time. If you’ve competed on the West coast, chances are you’ve seen the incredibly cute pony named All That Glitters, and while she is eye-catching in her own right, the story behind her and Jenny McCann is one you won’t want to miss. Read it here (and don’t forget to let the USEA know if you have a cool “road to the AEC” story to share!) here.

Clayton Fredericks has gone from Olympic competitor to well-known course designer, and he’s gearing up for a big fall season with the USEA American Eventing Championships and the Eventing Championships at Galway Downs approaching on the West coast. “One of my strengths is my experience from all over the world,” he says. “I try to reflect that in my course design so that people and horses can experience a look they might see if they compete abroad or if West Coasters compete back East. They won’t be taken by surprise.” You can read more about Clayton’s background and philosophy in this profile.

Are you planning to attend Carolina Horse Park’s Five Points H.T., which this year (for the first time!) will include a USEA Classic Three-Day? If you are and you want some advice on how to prepare and what to expect, part two of the Park’s blogs to help competitors get ready is here! From veterinary and farrier care to fitness and everything in between, this handy primer will have you ready to compete in no time. Read the full blog here.

Video Break

Go inside the horse’s mind and learn about equine personality types in the latest Ride iQ Ask an Expert episode:

Sunday Links

By on Jul 27, 2025 12:01 am -

Riders at Burgham this weekend were treated to a “ride through” coffee service at the lorry parks — now THAT is a service worth investing in, if you ask us! No word on if that’s Tom McEwen’s standard order of a vanilla latte or not…

U.S. Weekend Events

Millbrook H.T. (NY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring]

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

Stone Gate Farm Mini Trial (OH): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Major International Events

Burgham International (UK): [Website] [Timetable] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Live Stream]

FEI Eventing Nations Cup – Avenches (Switzerland): [Website] [Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream]

Links & Reading

Emergency Preparedness Planning: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Thoroughbred Logic, Presented by Kentucky Performance Products: PPEs and PTSD

Women Innovating in Equine Health and Wellness

How AI Is Changing How Equestrian Businesses Get Found Online

Video Break

The unforgettable story of Laura Collett’s return from a life-changing injury:

Boyd Martin and Miss Lulu Herself Gallop into Advanced Lead at Millbrook Horse Trials

By on Jul 26, 2025 8:16 pm -

Boyd Martin and Miss Lulu Herself. Photo by Amber Heintzberger.

Olympian Boyd Martin jumped around clear and leapt to the top of the leaderboard in the Advanced division of the Millbrook Horse Trials today riding Bonnie Stedt’s Miss Lulu Herself. Even with 12.8 time faults, the pair moved up from 8th place after dressage and now sit on a 44.9 going into tomorrow’s show jumping. Time was an influential factor as the ground was hard after lack of rain and most riders took it easy around the course today.

Katie Lichten maintained her second placed standing, but with a different horse than she started the course with: she is now second with Hickstead Musterd, who moved up from a tie for 9th after dressage (45.1). Her other Advanced horse, HTS Jensen, had a refusal at fence 20A on course and dropped to 6th place overall (70.7).

Overnight leader Robin Walker, riding SBT Barolo, jumped clear but added 29.6 time faults to drop into 5th place (59.4). Brooke Burchianti and Cooley Space Gray had the most meteoric rise up the standings, moving up from 16th after dressage to third after cross country with the fastest ride of the day, adding 5.6 time faults for a current score of 45.4.

Out of nineteen starters in the Advanced division, eleven horses will continue on to show jumping tomorrow. Four horses were withdrawn before cross country, and there was one technical elimination, a retirement after a refusal, one fall of rider and one fall of horse.

Katie Lichten and Fast Company. Photo by Amber Heintzberger.

Martin said, “Cross country walked tremendously tough, it was a big challenge, but Lulu’s got some good miles on her now and is a top cross country horse and she zipped around in great fashion. It’s a bit early in the season for the older horses, who are running the Intermediate, and the ground is a bit dry up here, so I just coasted around on them. Both Bruno [Fedarman B] and Cooley Nutcracker are going to Pau in France this fall.”

Martin mentioned that Lulu’s owner, Bonnie Stedt, is a member of the Millbrook horse community and also lives in Aiken during the winters, where Martin is also based during the winter season. “Bonnie has been a supporter of mine since coming to America, and she also owns the horse that won the Training Rider division, The Fonz, Himself, with Jacqueline Thorne riding. So Bonnie’s two horses have had a fantastic event so far, and Lulu’s been brilliant; she recently won the Devon Eventing Showcase and we’ll figure out another big event for her after this weekend.”

Martin, who moved to the US from Australia more than 15 years ago, noted, “Millbrook has always been a special place to me; the bulk of my supporters are from this community thanks in great part to the clinics I taught for many years at Fitch’s Corner. I’ve become great friends with a lot of people from this area, so it’s both an awesome event here and it’s also fun catching up with all these people who have helped shape my career.”

Katie Lichten took the lead in Open Intermediate A riding Fast Company (43.2), and Savannah Fulton riding Cash Point lead Open Intermediate B (35.7).

The event concludes tomorrow with show jumping for the Advanced, Intermediate, Preliminary and Modified divisions. Patrons and their guests will enjoy a Sunday luncheon and watch the show jumping from the comfort of private ringside tents. The Trade Fair, Millbrook Market shops, concessions and food truck will be open to all, and general admission is free to all.

Editor’s Note: Millbrook Horse Trials also shared the tragic news that Could’ve Ben and Jerrys, ridden by Morgan McGrath in the Open Preliminary division, collapsed and died after completing cross country on Saturday. Could’ve Ben and Jerrys was a 19-year-old Zanghershide gelding who had actively competed for the better part of twelve years with both Morgan McGrath as well as Nicky Buckingham. He was taken to Cornell University’s Equine Hospital for necropsy examination. Morgan was not hurt in the incident. We are sending all of our thoughts and love to Could’ve Ben and Jerrys connections.

Millbrook H.T. (NY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring]

Halo Takes the Crown at Burgham International

By on Jul 26, 2025 5:34 pm -

Piggy March and Halo. Photo by 1st Class Images.

Piggy March boosted her chances of British team selection for the European Championships with a convincing victory on Jayne McGivern’s Halo in the Project Pony-sponsored CCI4*-S section C at Burgham International Horse Trials (24-27 July).

Piggy’s finishing score of 19.8 with the 12-year-old Holsteiner stallion is a Burgham CCI4*-S record; the pair added nothing to their dressage mark in the subsequent jumping phases, floating easily round David Evans’ cross-country track within the time allowed.

“He’s been amazing – he really has felt on top form, and I’m genuinely really excited about this weekend; I put pressure on myself because I know what a great little horse he is,” said Piggy, who has won medals at World and European Championships for her country. “I want to put him in a position to try for championships – I know that Britain is an incredibly strong nation and there are lots of brilliant horses and riders coming up and I am not in the early days of my career, but I am still very competitive and would love to try to do it still.

“Halo was put on the planet for those sorts of classes [championships] and I wanted him to come here and do a solid performance and look like the sort of horse I know he is. I wanted to make this happen and happen very well. He was very polished, very consistent and it made for a very happy day. He’s a wonderful little horse.”

Piggy and Halo clearly relish eventing in Northumberland: they won the inaugural CCI4*-S at Belsay in May.

Wills Oakden and Keep It Cooley repeated their 2024 second place in this highly competitive class, completing on their dressage score of 25.3. Their next target will be the new event at Scone Palace in Perthshire in August. Third, just 0.6 of a penalty behind Wills, were Tom Jackson and Hawkeye.

Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent, the 2024 winners, led after showjumping but cruised round the cross-country for four time-penalties and fifth place, behind Clarke Johnstone and Sparky Lad in fourth.

Tom McEwen and JL Dublin. Photo by 1st Class Images.

Tom McEwen and his 2024 Paris Olympics team gold medallist JL Dublin took the second CCI4*-S section, which this time was sponsored by local company Holme Dodsworth Metals. Tom and the Deirdre Johnston, Jo and James Lambert-owned Diarado 14-year-old were faultless in the showjumping and cross-country, completing on their dressage mark of 23.4.

Tom said: “‘Dubs’ has been fantastic. He came out very fresh for all three phases; he flew round the cross-country, and it was so nice to have such a well-built track that was really flowing to ride with a few different striding patterns. As a ‘prep run’ for the autumn – hopefully the European Championships, if we are selected – it has been perfect.”

It was Tom’s second international victory at Burgham 2025 – he had already won WL Straughan & Son Ltd CCI3*-S section A on Brookfield Danny De Muze.

Izzy Taylor and SBH Big Wall were second in CCI4*-S section D behind Tom on their dressage mark of 24.4, with Sarah Bullimore and the homebred Corimiro third on 26.2. World champion Yasmin Ingham (Gypsie Du Loir) and Laura Collett (Count Onyx) were fourth and fifth.

On Sunday, the final day of Burgham 2025, the focus turns to the two CCI2*-S classes. Willa Newton and Da Vinci are in the lead in the NIS Group Ltd and Encon Technical Solutions-sponsored section E with a dressage score of 24.8, ahead of Ros Canter (Club Class, 27.5). In the Jack-Thomas Watson CCI2*-S section F, Danielle McCormack is in pole position aboard Hildare Trust Me on 28.3, giving her a slim margin over Jago Jackson and Barrington Highlight K on 28.5. Jago, 17, is also the only rider still with a chance of winning prize-money in the Northumberland Challenge, which unites the three Northumbrian events of Belsay, Alnwick Ford and Burgham. He is in fifth place in CCI2*-S section E on Cooley Top Boy, on whom he won the CCI2*-S at Alnwick Ford in June, having already finished third in that class at Belsay in May. Jago must finish third or better at Burgham on Cooley Top Boy to take home a potential total of £8,000.

Sunday at Burgham not only offers top-class sport, but also great fun for families, friends and children. There is a fun dog shows, have-a-go dog agility, hobby horses for children to “ride”, and a Thoroughbred and Ex-Racehorse Show on Sunday, alongside grassroots eventing classes.

Burgham also features an excellent range of tradestands and lots of delicious, locally-produced food and drink and public bars. It is situated in beautiful, tranquil Northumbrian countryside not far from the A1 between Morpeth and Alnwick.

Visit www.burghaminternationalhorsetrials.co.uk to find out more and to buy tickets.

Burgham International (UK): [Website] [Timetable] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Live Stream]

We Want This Farm: Aiken’s Hidden Shangri La

By on Jul 26, 2025 11:48 am -

If you’ve ever dreamed of a life where every detail was designed with horses—and your own luxury—in mind, welcome to Shangri La (literally). Tucked away in prime horse country in Aiken, South Carolina, this 13-acre estate feels like a private resort with an equestrian heartbeat.

From the moment you turn onto the magnolia-lined driveway, you know you’re in for something special. Crepe myrtles frame the approach to the main residence, a 3,953-square-foot Tuscan-style home built in 2009 that balances warmth and elegance.

Inside, a solid wood arched door with horsehead hardware opens to a foyer featuring a stunning inlay of 11 wood species and aqua marble, lit by an artisan stone chandelier. That attention to detail continues throughout the home—6” European white oak planks underfoot, river stone fireplaces, Schonbek crystal chandeliers, and custom stained-glass windows handcrafted by Savannah River Art Glass.

The primary suite is a sanctuary in itself, with a gas fireplace, ambient lighting, and a spa-worthy ensuite bath that includes heated floors, a freestanding clawfoot air jet tub, steam shower, towel warmers, and dual walk-in closets. Even the garage was built with intention, featuring 11’6” ceilings ready for car lifts or extra storage.

But it’s not just the main home that makes this estate exceptional. The 2,500-square-foot Koi House, built in 2016, is both serene retreat and architectural marvel. Enclosed with copper screen and birnam wood beams, it features a fully automated 52,000-gallon koi pond with imported Japanese koi, plus a gourmet kitchen with Wolf and Bosch appliances, hand-forged lighting, and a cozy fire pit sitting area—ideal for quiet mornings or entertaining guests (like the EN team, which will certainly be knocking on the door after we referred you to this amazing property).

Of course, no dream farm is complete without the perfect equestrian amenities – that’s what we’re here for, right?

The 3,500-square-foot climate-controlled stable is built to impress. It includes four stalls with Nelson automatic waterers and fans, a hot/cold wash stall with heat lamps, a spacious tack room, storage, laundry with a raised dog-washing station, and even an adjoining kitchenette and half bath.

Also included: kennels for five dogs open to a fenced yard, and the two pastures and two paddocks are complemented by three matted, fan-cooled run-ins with automatic waterers and lights. The entire property is irrigated and enclosed with no-climb wire, ready to keep horses safe and comfortable year-round.

Security, comfort, and longevity were key considerations across the property. Each structure includes built-in generators, lightning rods, copper flashing and gutters, and 50-year architectural shingles. HVAC systems are equipped with purification and humidifiers to maintain ideal conditions no matter the season.

Residents enjoy access to over 30 miles of riding trails, private carriage roads, two professionally designed equestrian complexes with GGT footing, and two clubhouses. Whether you’re a competitive rider, a dedicated horse owner, or simply someone who craves privacy and natural beauty, Shangri La offers an unmatched blend of equestrian functionality and luxurious living.

Can we go ahead and start a Kickstarter campaign to make this EN headquarters? Asking for a friend.

Click here to view the full listing!

For more information:

📍 1029 Shell Bluff Drive, Aiken, SC 29803 [View listing]
💲 Listed at $4,500,000 | MLS #216062
📞 Contact:
Deirdre Stoker Vaillancourt – 803-640-4591
Alexa Bottomley – 843-540-6831
Presented by Meybohm Real Estate

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

By on Jul 26, 2025 12:01 am -

Now here’s a real blast from the past, posted this week for a #ThrowbackThursday from The Chronicle of the Horse! Would you believe there was once an event in California that had an *actual* water jump on cross country? Really, it was not a jump — more of a casual swim that counted as an obstacle on course.

“The cross-country led along the left side of the valley to the beach where obstacle No. 3 consisted of going out into the bay alongside a pier and passing underneath it between the last sections of pilings, and thence back to the shore,” the article covering this competition on The Chronicle said. “Whether the horse waded belly deep or swam depended on his size as well as his mood!”

You can dive down the blast from the past rabbithole with more photos and stories from the archives here.

U.S. Weekend Events

Millbrook H.T. (NY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Maps]

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

Stone Gate Farm Mini Trial (OH): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Maps]

Major International Events

Burgham International (UK): [Website] [Timetable] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Live Stream]

FEI Eventing Nations Cup – Avenches (Switzerland): [Website] [Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream]

Links & Reading

Fast Facts: 2025 USEA EA21 Regional Clinics

Switzerland Set to Defend Home Soil as 2025 FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ Series Returns to Avenches

British Equestrian marks the end of an era with final Young Professionals Programme workshop

Horse Owners: Conflicting Emotions and Equine Obesity

Sponsor Corner: World Equestrian Brands

Just some hilarious (and useful!) insights from World Equestrian Brands rider Rebecca Brown! Did you know you can find more tips and tricks on World Equestrian Brands’ Instagram? Click here to follow them!

Video Break

As we look ahead to this year’s Defender Burghley CCI5*, look back on the great story of Australia’s Sophia Hill from 2024:

Robin Walker Leads Advanced Division at Millbrook Horse Trials

By on Jul 25, 2025 9:00 pm -

Robin Walker and SBT Barolo. Photo by Amber Heintzberger.

Robin Walker and his 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse SBT Barolo, (Loughehoe Guy x Tentore Flight), took the lead in the Advanced division when they scored 29.8 on their dressage test at Millbrook Horse Trials in New York. Walker, 60 of Lexington, KY and Ocala, FL owns the horse in partnership with Alston Kerr and Roger Schramm and the pair have competed to the four-star level. The horse was purchased as a youngster at the Goresbridge Go for Gold sale in Ireland.

This year is the 40th Anniversary of the Millbrook Horse Trials. The event kicked off yesterday with lower-level dressage at Riga Meadow Equestrian Center at Coole Park in Millbrook. There are more than 350 total entries competing at Millbrook, from Beginner Novice to Advanced level. Today the upper-level entries competed in the dressage phase, while the lower levels went cross country.

Katie Lichten and HTS Jensen R. Photo by Amber Heintzberger.

Katie Lichten of Hamilton, Massachusetts and now based in Virginia, is placed second after dressage in the Advanced division riding HTS Jensen R, a nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse by Tolan R with 30.7 penalties. She is also ranked 9th riding Hickstead Musterd, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Stakkato out of Saleria M.

This weekend is HTS Jensen R’s first Advanced and Lichten said that he got a bit excited going into the ring today, as a storm was rolling through the area just as she started her test.

“I looked around and saw lightning in the distance and just thought, ‘I need to focus’,” she said. “He’s a pretty good boy and he tries hard, so he tried to stay with me.” Lichten said that the cross country course looks like fun, but noted that there are a few tricky combinations on course, especially the corners. “They will be challenging, especially at his first advanced, but everything looks very fair,” she said.

Lichten is a student of Allison Springer, who is placed just behind her in third place on the Connemara cross Crystal Crescent Moon, (31.1), owned and bred by Nancy Winter, as well as tied for sixth with Irish Sport Horse Monbeg Zebedee, (31.8), owned by the Zebedee Group LLC.

Boyd Martin and Fedarman B. Photo by Amber Heintzberger.

In the Intermediate divisions, Boyd Martin and Fedarman B, owned by the Annie Goodwin Syndicate, are winning Division A with a score of 25.5, and Martin is also second riding Fetiche Des Rouges, (30.5), owned by the Barney Rubble Syndicate. Katie Lichten riding Fast Company is tied for third with Canadian Lindsay Traisnel riding Bacyrouge (31.6).

Martin also has the lead in Intermediate B riding Cooley Nutcracker, owned by Liz’s Nutcrackers, on a score of 30.2.

The competition continues tomorrow with the schedule as follows:

Saturday, July 26

  • 6 am to 6 pm — Simply Gourmet Concession Tent open
  • 8 am to 4:30 pm — Stadium Jumping (Training, Novice, Beginner Novice)
  • 9 am to 4 pm — Cross Country (Intermediate, Advanced, Preliminary)
  • 8 am to 4 pm — Yellowframe Farm Waterview Tent open to ticket holders
  • 9 am to 5 pm — Trade Fair open
  • 10 am to 5 pm – Millbrook Market open
  • 11 am to 3 pm — Two by Two Animal Haven Petting Zoo open
  • 11 am to 6 pm — Food Trucks open
  • 6 pm to 8 pm — Competitors’ and Volunteers’ party sponsored by Purina

Millbrook H.T. (NY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring]

Piggy Marches to the Top at Burgham

By on Jul 25, 2025 2:28 pm -

Piggy March and Halo. Photo by 1st Class Images.

Piggy March has soared to the top of the leaderboard in CCI4*-S section C, sponsored by Project Pony, at Burgham International Horse Trials (July 24-27).

Piggy posted an exceptional dressage mark of 19.8 aboard Jayne McGivern’s lovely grey stallion Halo to overtake Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent, who go into Saturday’s showjumping and cross-country in second place on 23.9. Izzy Taylor and Barrington Alice are third on 24.5.

Piggy said: “Halo was spot on – fabulous in his body and brain. He’s really come on; he’s beginning to feel more established, stronger, with more consistency and strength to his body and his work. He’s always felt very special and I’m delighted he is starting to get the marks that correspond to what he feels like.”

CCI4*-S showjumping starts at 8am (3am EST) tomorrow morning at the Northumbrian event, with cross-country commencing at 9am (5am EST). The cross-country can be watched live on ClipMyHorse.tv.

Piggy added: “The cross-country looks very inviting with some good questions. This is Halo’s first run since the CCI5* at Luhmühlen; he feels fit and well and I am looking forward to tomorrow.”

There was no change to Thursday’s top three in Holme Dodsworth Metals CCI4*-S section D. Caroline Powell is in first place with a score of 23.3 aboard Nicholas and Fiona Lambert’s 10-year-old Legally Grey. Caroline has half a penalty in hand over Paris 2024 Olympic team gold medallists Tom McEwen and JL Dublin. Izzy Taylor is also third in this section, this time on SBH Big Wall with 24.4.

Tom McEwen and Brookfield Danny De Muze. Photo by 1st Class Images.

Double Olympic team gold medallist Tom McEwen proved he has another exciting young horse on his hands after winning WL Straughan & Son Ltd CCI3*-S section A on Brookfield Danny De Muze. The seven-year-old, who is owned by Alison Swinburn and John and Chloe Perry, added just 0.8 of a cross-country time-fault to his leading dressage score of 20.8 to stay ahead of Sweden’s Therese Viklund and Sella (22.9). New Zealander Jesse Campbell finished third on his Tokyo Olympics ride Diachello, also with a finishing score of 22.9.

Tom said: “He’s been amazing, to be honest. Piggy [March, from whom Tom has inherited the ride] has done a fantastic job producing him, as only she could do. He’s only done one intermediate and then this [three-star], which I thought was quite a strong track. I know the courses here all jump beautifully, but it was probably the punchiest one I’ve seen, so I was really pleased with him.

“He’s perfect – a really placid character at home who puts everything into it when he comes out at a competition. He did a stunning test here, handled the showjumping well and was very cool across country.”

Elizabeth Barratt and Big Boss Melo. Photo by 1st Class Images.

Elizabeth Barratt, 19, headed up AW Jenkinson CCI3*-S section B on Barratt Eventing’s Big Boss Melo. The pair completed on their second-placed dressage score of 26.5 to win the class, which also acted as the final selection trial for the British team for the European Young Rider Championships in Poland in August. They are the reigning Young Rider National Champions, having won at Bicton in June.

Elizabeth said: “He’s been amazing all week. I was sp pleased with his test, because he can get quite tense and stressy, but he was really with me and I couldn’t have asked for much more from him. He jumped like his always does – amazingly. He has his own unique technique, but he tries so hard and gets the job done. We were held at the start of the cross-country, which hasn’t happened to me with him before, so that was a new experience, but it didn’t seem to bother him at all.

Fourteen-year-old Big Boss Melo was bought by the Barratts from France a year ago.

“It took us a bit of time to adjust to each other – he had been ridden by a man over there – and he is big, strong and bold-moving, but we seem to have gelled quite now,” said Elizabeth, who is very much hoping for a first British team appearance next month.

Jemima Howden – also on the young rider squad short-list – took the runner-up spot on her father David’s Van Kaunitz on her dressage mark of 28.1, while yet another highly competitive under-21, Finn Healy, was third on Greannanstown Monbeg Joe. In fact, the next five placings in this section were all filled by British young rider team hopefuls – Isabelle Cook (Mexican Law, fourth), Josh Levett (This Ones On You, fifth and Huberthus AC, eighth), Anya Strilkowski (K, sixth) and Elizabeth Barratt, (Ride For Thais Chaman Dumontceau, seventh).

Saturday and Sunday at Burgham not only offer top-class sport, but also great fun for families, friends and children. There is a fun dog show on both days, have-a-go dog agility, and hobby horses for children to “ride”, unaffiliated showjumping on Saturday and a Thoroughbred and Ex-Racehorse Show on Sunday, alongside grassroots eventing classes.

Burgham also features an excellent range of tradestands and lots of delicious, locally-produced food and drink and public bars. It is situated in beautiful, tranquil Northumbrian countryside not far from the A1 between Morpeth and Alnwick.

Visit www.burghaminternationalhorsetrials.co.uk to find out more and to buy tickets.

All the cross-country from Burgham is being shown live on ClipMyHorse.tv.

Burgham International (UK): [Website] [Timetable] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Live Stream]