Classic Eventing Nation

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Nov 28, 2018 12:01 am -

Well hey there. Photo via Wallaby Hill on Facebook.

Here in the States we have giant carved fish and ducks we like to make our horses jump over at our big-time event. Down in Australia at Wallaby Hill they have, well, a wallaby. And his name is Nigel, after his creator Nigel Sardeson of Sardeson Sculpture. Nigel is the first fence on the CCI3* course at OTTO Sport Australia International 3-Day Event at Wallaby Hill this weekend. Click here for a fun time lapse of his construction!

National Holiday: National Package Protection Day (It’s about mail — get your mind out of the gutter!)

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Sporting Days Farm Horse Trials IV [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Your Wednesday News & Notes:

Pergolide has been the go-to treatment for Equine Cushing’s disease for decades, but due to its class of drug it is a prohibited substance under FEI and USEF rules. Now there’s good news for horses affected by Cushing’s! Effective December 1, 2018, horses granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for pergolide can remain on pergolide while competing. [USEF Announces New Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) Status for Pergolide Administration]

The USEA Educational Symposium is back for 2019 and has found a new home at Grand Oaks Resort in Wiersdale, Florida — just 25 mile outside of Ocala — is scheduled for February 18-21, 2019. The ICP Symposium will take place Monday and Tuesday of those dates and will feature French event rider Maxime Livio as clinician. Wednesday will focus on the YEH program with clinics also led by Maxime. Thursday will feature the Future Event Horse program with FEH judges Robin Walker and Peter Gray. Registration is open and demo riders and horses are also still needed! [Save the Date for the 2019 USEA Educational Symposium at the Grand Oaks Resort!]

Matt Brown is back with part 2 of his ultra insightful COTH blog. In this installment, Matt explores how instructors can help set their human students up for a lifetime of learning and ultimately achieving their goals by cultivating a growth mindset and helping them set process-oriented goals. [A Case For Not Focusing On Your Goals: Part 2, Students]

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), otherwise known as seasonal depression, is a common issue this time of year and equestrians are certainly not immune to it. While it might help if you have a winter escape south to Aiken or Ocala, it can be especially difficult to stay motivated and feel pretty down in the dumps during the cold and dark winter months. Here are few tips to help you take care yourself during a tough season. [Getting Through Winter: Seasonal Depression and the Equestrian]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: Let the Water Run Out

No doubt about it this has been a rainy summer for most of the East Coast, and fall is turning out to be much of the same. But no matter where you live, we have all seen the negative effects of too much rain on a poorly constructed arena.

An arena’s drainage system is your first line of defense when the skies open up. Every outdoor should have the minimum of at least one designed French drain INSIDE the arena. Why inside? So that the water does not have to go under or over kickboards to drain away, washing away your footing creating gullies and puddles.

Designing your drainage system is as important as the choice of footing you put in your arena. Ideally your drainage system should let the water leave in a steady consistent manner.

The drainage system should reflect the use of the arena. If the arena cannot have any downtime, more drainage should be incorporated which translates into more maintenance of the footing. More watering and more dragging ensures the footing stays in tip-top shape.

There are always trade offs in creating a perfect riding surface. That’s why riders like Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin turn to Attwood for their expertise and scientifically proven formulas.

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: Snow Days Off

By on Nov 27, 2018 5:00 pm -

A day off is a foreign suggestion for most professional riders, and a bit of foul weather won’t stop an eventer from getting their daily tasks finished — even it is snowing on grid day. Laura Collett is taking a snowy plunge headfirst into the offseason, and we just want to know how she keeps the snowballs out of the horse’s feet?

Go eventing.

Why SpectraVET?

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SpectraVET is committed to providing only the highest-quality products and services to our customers, and to educating the world in the science and art of laser therapy.

We design and manufacture the broadest range of clinically-proven veterinary therapeutic laser products, which are represented and supported worldwide by our network of specialist distributors and authorized service centers.

Give Back to Your Favorite Sport on #GivingTuesday

By on Nov 27, 2018 3:30 pm -

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Think about all the ways that the sport of eventing has positively impacted your life. Today is the day to pay it forward! This #GivingTuesday, consider making a secure, tax-deductible donation to the USEA Foundation to help ensure a happy, healthy future for our sport.

From a $25 “Novice” donation to a $1,000 “Four-Star” donation and beyond, gifts of any amount are welcome and can make a big difference. You can designate your donation for use where needed or earmark it to benefit your favorite program. A few options:

  • Securing the Future — Long term investments of the Foundation
  • Frangible Fence Research — Collapsible Fence Study and other safety initiatives
  • Roger Haller Officials’ Education — Funds and scholarships for Officials’ Education
  • Instructors’ Certification Program — Funds for Instructors Certification Program (ICP)
  • Equine Welfare — Funds for equine safety and welfare
  • Young Event Horse — Funds for Young Event Horse (YEH) Program
  • Future Event Horse — Funds for Future Event Horse (FEH) Program
  • Juniors/Young Riders — Funds for national Junior and Young Rider Program
  • Liz Cochran Memorial Grooms Award — National grooms award

For more inspiration, check out the USEA’s post from earlier today, “What is an Association, What is Our Association, and Why Should WE Care?“

Go give back. Go Eventing!

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Better Than Black Friday

By on Nov 27, 2018 2:00 pm -

Didn’t get the deal you were dreaming of on Black Friday? Never fear, you could still score the deal of the century on one of these black (well, dark bay) OTTBs. Think of the feeling you’ll have bursting from the start box on a former racehorse — now that’s way better than any kind rush Black Friday shopping might give you.

Caviar Czar. Photo via New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.

Caviar Czar (MEDAGLIA D’ORO – COUNTESS LEMONADE, BY STORM CAT): 2014 16.1-hand Irish-bred gelding

You don’t come across a horse like this every day when scrolling through thoroughbred rehoming sites. Caviar Czar isn’t your run-of-the-mill claimer; this four-year old has earned over $112,000 in his seven career starts. Not too shabby, indeed — so how did this high-earning, well-bred, good-looking horse end up in search of a new career? The answer is that he comes from connections with higher aspirations; connections such as big name trainer Todd Pletcher and owner Bobby Flay. Yes, that Bobby Flay, the Food Network celebrity chef!

Caviar Czar retired without any limitations to his future abilities under saddle. He’s a laid back dude who gets along with pasture mates and has no stall vices. Additionally, he is easy going under saddle and attentive to his rider. Pletcher and Flay deserve kudos for placing their horse with such an excellent organization as New Vocations and giving him a chance to succeed in another discipline.

Located in Lexington, Kentucky.

View Caviar Czar on New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.

Mammie’s Treasure. Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds Inc.

Mammie’s Treasure (TREASURE BEACH (GB) – MOMMIE’S THE BOSS, BY HOLY BULL): 2015 15.3-hand New York-bred filly

Of course, an OTTB most certainly does not need to have been owned by a celebrity to catch your attention. This still-growing filly has quite a look about her that seems to scream future sport horse. Mammie’s Treasure is lightly raced with just eight starts. She won her maiden this summer but couldn’t quite keep up with the next level of competition. With the Finger Lakes Race Track meet coming to a close this week she’s in the market for a new career before her connections head south. Mammie’s Treasure is a friendly, well-behaved filly who is sound and has no vices.

Located in Farmington, New York.

View Mammie’s Treasure on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds Inc. on Facebook.

Eva Destruction. Photo via CANTER Chicago.

Eva Destruction (U S RANGER – RUNNING CLEAR, BY CRYPTOCLEARANCE): 2014 15.3-hand Kentucky-bred mare

18 starts and just under $11,00o earned, Eva Destruction has made it pretty clear that racing isn’t her thing. In particular, she didn’t like running on the surface at Chicago’s track in the summertime. For that reason, she earned herself a nice summer vacation on the farm. “Eva” was good to handle and well-behaved on the farm and likewise she was very polite for her CANTER photoshoot even on a blustery snowy day. This filly has Danzig and Fappiano sire lines so she certainly has some good potential as a sport horse prospect. Not to mention she already has a great show name!

Located in Stickney, Illinois.

View Eva Destruction on CANTER Chicago.

Kentucky Three-Day Event Granted Five-Star Status by FEI, Names 2019 Official Charity

By on Nov 27, 2018 11:30 am -

Oliver Townend and Cooley Master Class, winners of the 2018 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event announced two items of interest this morning. The first: Kentucky has officially been granted five-star status by the FEI, in accordance with the new event classification star system that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2019. Goodbye Kentucky CCI4* … hello Kentucky CCI5*-L! This event sure does keep changing up its name on us lately. It’s OK — we’ll get used to it.

The official granting of CCI5* status is more formality than anything at this point, as all the current CCI4* competitions — Kentucky, Badminton, Luhmühlen, Burghley, Pau and Adelaide — will receive the new category designation in 2019. However, they must fulfill new requirements over a period of two years to retain the designation.

CCI5* Requirements:

  • Minimum level of prize money: €150,000 Euro ($175,000 USD)
  • Mandatory closed-circuit television for public, athletes, owners and ground jury
  • A minimum of 30 starters, maximum of 75 starters
  • 11-12 minute cross country course (6,270-6,840 meters in length with 40-45 efforts)
  • All-weather dressage arena is strongly recommended

A yearly review will take place to evaluate each CCI5* event in regards to performance against the established criteria. A pre-assessment will take place at the end of 2019, with a formal evaluation at the end of 2020.The Risk Management Steering Group will also be involved in the yearly review to assess the fall rate on cross country and other safety measures.

Starting in 2020, all CCI5* competitions will be reviewed on an annual basis, with CCI5* status renewed or revoked accordingly for the following year.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the FEI as one of the world’s elite events with the new Five Star status,” says Stewart Perry, president of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), organizer of the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. “It solidifies our longstanding position as one of the world’s leading equestrian events. A distinction we work hard to deliver on every year.”

A second announcement: The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event is committed to showing love to charities that support equine organizations and serve the local community, and names a different official charity to benefit each year. Bluegrass Land Conservancy has been named the official charity of the 2019 event. 

Bluegrass Land Conservancy’s mission is to protect land in Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region through permanent conservation easements. The organization accomplishes this through education and by promoting the preservation of land for agriculture, historic and cultural heritage, wildlife habitat, natural resources, water quality, and scenic open space, in order to sustain a high quality of life. Since 1998 it has protected over 27,000 acres of 126 farms in 24 counties across the greater Bluegrass Region.

The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L returns to the Kentucky Horse Park April 25-28, 2019. Early bird ticket prices end Dec. 6, so purchase those tickets today. (EN #protip: They make great Christmas gifts!) Visit the website for more information, and we hope to see you there!

Go Eventing.

Eventers Face Off for a New Car Plus $10,000 at Western Australia’s Equestrian in the Park

By on Nov 27, 2018 8:30 am -

Photo by Libby Law, courtesy of Equestrian in the Park.

All eyes will be on Perth, Western Australia on Saturday Dec. 1 when some of Australia’s best riders and an international Olympic legend will converge on the banks of the Swan River for Equestrian in the Park (EITP).

Perth is one of the most picturesque cities in the world, and its city skyline serves as the backdrop for this elite eventing Grand Prix and show jumping event. Presented by McInerney Ford and Channel 7, EITP combines challenging cross country obstacles with technical show jumping lines to create the 20/20 cricket equivalent of the equestrian world.

This year, Equestrian in the Park is very excited to welcome eventing legend Sir Mark Todd, who will be competing for the first time in Western Australia. Another first-timer to the Perth eventing scene will be Australian Olympic Bronze medallist and Badminton winner Sam Griffiths, and he and Mark confirm the already high standard of competition.

Sir Mark Todd rides McClaren at the 2018 Tryon World Equestrian Games. Photo by Libby Law, courtesy of Equestrian in the Park.

The event is made up of two classes, and the winner of each will walk away with a brand new Ford car from McInerney Ford. The cars are not the only incredible prizes, with each class boasting a prize pool of over $10,000.

The event, previously known as Eventing in the Park, was first run in 2013 and there are a number of well-known names on the honour board, with past winners including Chris Burton, Clayton Fredericks, Harry Meade and Jess Manson, and Bettina Hoy was runner up in 2016.

The event is a firm favourite on the Western Australian equestrian and social calendars where the excitement and action of the sport meets glamour and hospitality. There is a hotly contested Fashions on the Field, and the opportunity for spectators to walk the course and see the challenging obstacles up close.

The Grand Prix is the main class on the day, and Mark Todd will be very hard to beat having picked up the ride on two favourites: The Diamond Thief, owned by Kate Joyce, and the winner of the last event, Silver Force, owned by Tracey Diederich and ridden by Tayah Andrew.

Photo by Libby Law, courtesy of Equestrian in the Park.

He will have some hot competition from local riders including Emily Gray and Jocular Vision who will be returning from an outstanding 4th place at the tough Adelaide four-star. Winners of the Wooroloo CCI3*, Kate Ingham and Asti Aspiration, also have very good form in Grand Prix style eventing having competed at EITP in previous years.

In the Diamond Class, Sam Griffiths will be hard to beat on the proven performer Megapixel. Based in the UK, Australian rider Sam has been successful on the international stage and was selected for the recent World Equestrian Games before a withdrawal due to injury. We have also heard that Western Australia’s own Olympic Silver medallist Sonja Johnson, fresh from her 3rd placing in the four-star at Adelaide, will be catching a ride in this class to try and take home the car.

In addition to these talented and experienced Olympians, there are a number of young riders and up and coming stars who will be having their first attempt at this year’s event, including Olivia Shore, who has been highly successful at local events in the lead-up. She will be riding a horse who is no stranger to victory, Adelaide four-star winner and previous EITP Grand Prix winner Legal Star, and this combination is definitely one to watch.

Photo by Libby Law, courtesy of Equestrian in the Park.

Another rider who could be a real contender is Daisy Scott with Pico Bam, who have had success in both show jumping and eventing classes. This year will also feature a dedicated showjumping class with a starting height of 125cm, which is set to be one of the highlights of the day.

We look forward to watching Sir Mark Todd, Sam Griffiths and the talented local competitors battling it out at this prestigious event. Who will drive away with the title?

For more information on the event, or to purchase tickets visit equestrianinthepark.com.au.

Tuesday News & Notes from Legends Horse Feeds

By on Nov 27, 2018 12:01 am -

Sir Rockstar getting some love at Pine Top Farm. Photo via Erin Jarboe’s Facebook Page.

While it’s no longer the final event of the year, Pine Top’s Thanksgiving HT is always the happiest season wrap up for me. This is one of my favorite events of the year. We always went with a group of friends right after the holiday, so it felt like a family affair. Congratulations to all who had a great weekend!

National Holiday: Giving Tuesday

There are no events opening or closing this week. Countdown to the 2019 season starts… now!

Tuesday News: 

Poland has earned another Olympic qualifier at the Equestrian Festival Baborówka. This offers C group athletes a valuable chance to represent their country on the biggest stage. The event will be held May 23-26, 2019. [From Baborówka to the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020]

If you’re like me, and bummed to be missing the USEA Convention, then you’re in luck because they’re live streaming it! Some content will be open to all, and others will only be available to members, so be sure to renew your membership before next week. [USEA to Live Stream the 2018 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention]

A study in Denmark is hoping to shine more light on the issue of rider weight. Participants wore weighted vests over a period of two months, and the researchers are now analyzing the data. [Rider weight: Researchers hope study will cast light on thorny issue]

The Hill family is at it again! Last November EN profiled Katherine and Bruce Hill, a brother-sister duo from Area V for whom eventing — and volunteering — is a family affair. Now the whole Hill family has a new goal: to run to half of the L.A. Marathon in March 2019 with Team World Vision to help provide clean water for children in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Today, on Giving Tuesday, any donations made to their accounts will be doubled by Team World Vision. This means that if someone donates $50, which provides clean water for one person for life, that donation will be matched so now two people will be receiving clean water for life. Can you help the cause? [Katherine’s Team World Vision donation page]

Another way to lend a helping hand on Giving Tuesday: It’s getting cold outside, and the horses of Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation are in need of extra care. The Foundation’s goal is to raise $9,000 to purchase new run-in sheds and a round pen for the Sanctuary Herds. Make a donation today to their “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” campaign, if you can! [Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation]

Tuesday Video: 

Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: It Happens to the Best

By on Nov 26, 2018 5:00 pm -

When your horse has been doing 3*** all season and now pulls a tantrum and won’t go over a pole 🙈😂 ArcEquine Fairfax Saddles @falprorugs HIGH5 Sports Nutrition HRP Equestrian NAF SAFE RIDING TopSpecBritish Eventing Official #3dayeventing #britisheventing #eventing #eventinghorse #eventinglife #eventingnation #eventingrider #eventingstyle #threedayeventing #newyard #newhome #freshstart #gallop #horse #horseaddict #horselife #horselovers #horsemanship #horsenation #horsephotography #horses #horsesofinstagram #horsestagram #horsetraining

Posted by Will Rawlin Eventing on Saturday, November 24, 2018

Sometimes horses get the a case of the Mondays, too. We’ve all been there on a horse who’s done this or that a thousand times, but seemingly out of the blue one day they decide that they simply cannot even.

British eventer Will Rawlin recently shared this moment that we can all relate to when his horse, V.I.P Vinnie, a 10-year-old German-bred gelding owned by Miranda and Andrew Rawlin, took particular exception to walking over a ground pole during a recent school. And no, V.I.P Vinnie isn’t exactly a green bean event horse — he completed four three-stars this season at Blenheim, Chatsworth and Belton (OK, that part I can’t relate to). The next time your equine partner pulls a fast one on you and forgets ‘how to horse,’ just remember it even happens to the best!

Here he is running the Advanced at Burnham Market International Horse Trials earlier this year. No scary poles here!

Phillip Dutton’s WEG Mount Z Tops 2018 WBFSH World Rankings for Event Horse Breeders

By on Nov 26, 2018 4:00 pm -

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Phillip Dutton‘s 2018 Tryon World Equestrian Games mount, Z, has added another star to his crown: the top spot on the final 2018 WBFSH/Rolex World Rankings for Breeders of Eventing Horses.

The rankings are based on FEI results from Jan. 1, 2017 to Sept. 9, 2018. Z, a 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding (ASCA x Bellabouche, by Babouche VH Gehucht Z) owned by the Z Partnership, was bred by Bezouw Van A M.C.M in Belgium where he was developed through CCI* eventing and CSI* show jumping. The horse came stateside in 2015 and excelled in Phillip’s program, collecting myriad top five finishes at the three-star level including wins in the 2017 Ocala Jockey Club CIC3* and 2018 WEG Test Event CIC3* at The Fork. This year the pair was 4th in the horse’s four-star debut at Kentucky and 6th at WEG, the best American result.

Z’s accrual of 310 points nudged him over Tim Price‘s WEG 6th place WEG finisher partner Cekatinka (2nd with 307 points); Clarke Johnstone‘s 2017 Adelaide winner Balmoral Sensation (3rd with 294 points); Ros Canter‘s 2018 WEG gold medalist Allstar B (4th with 291 points; and Ros Canter‘s mount Zenshara, who has finished in the top 10 in all four of his four-star outings (5th with 286 points).

Other U.S. horses that made the ranking list’s top 50 are Boyd Martin‘s 2018 WEG mount Tsetserleg (21st); Liz Halliday-Sharp‘s 8th place Luhmühlen finisher Deniro Z; Marilyn Little‘s named WEG mount RF Scandalous (39th); Caroline Martin‘s successful CCI3* horse Islandwood Captain Jack (43rd); and Will Coleman‘s Great Meadow winner Off the Record (48th).

View the complete 2018 WBFSH/Rolex World Ranking List for Breeders of Eventing Horses here.

On other fronts, the WBFSH/Rolex World Ranking List for Eventing Studbooks has been overtaken by the KWPN (Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland), relegating the Irish Sport Horse Studbook to second after its stronghold at the top for several years. Leading the way for the Dutch were the top point earning Dutch Warmbloods Cekatinka, Allstar B, Zenshera, Deniro Z and Ceylor LAN. Rounding out the list’s top three is the Stud Book du Cheval Selle Français (ANSF).

View the complete WBFSH/Rolex World Ranking List for Eventing Studbooks here.

 

Got Convention FOMO? USEA to Live Stream 2018 Annual Meeting & Convention

By on Nov 26, 2018 1:00 pm -

Image via useventing.com.

Exciting news! If you can’t make the trip to New Orleans next weekend to attend the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, you can still watch many of the meetings, forums and special events thanks to a wall-to-wall live stream from RNS Video. Last year’s inaugural live stream was a big success — around 1,400 viewers tuned in over the course of the weekend — and a demonstration of the USEA’s commitment to sharing its great programming with as broad an audience as possible.

Two separate feeds from the 2018 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention will be available: an “Open Stream” with content that is free and available for all to watch, and a “Member Stream” available for viewing free to USEA members who have joined or renewed their membership for the 2019 competition season. View the full list of sessions that will be streamed across the open and members only feeds here.

If you haven’t yet renewed your annual USEA vows, here’s your carrot-on-a-stick to do so! Both new and returning members can choose from several membership options including a full competing membership or a supporting membership. Click here to join or renew your membership now and gain access to the full Convention live stream experience.

The 2018 Convention will feature a packed four-day schedule of forums, lectures, award-givings and the Hall of Fame ceremony which will induct six eventing legends: Capt. Mark Phillips, Karen O’Connor, Nina and Tim Gardner, Marty Simensen, Howard Simpson, and Kerry Millikin’s Thoroughbred, Out and About. Learn more about this year’s inductees here. The keynote speaker will be Erik Duvander. Erik was appointed to the role of U.S. Performance Director for Eventing in October of 2017 and we’re all excited to hear his reflections on his first year with the program and his thoughts for the future.

The Sheraton New Orleans Hotel will play host from Dec. 6-9. Still on the fence about a field trip? Visit the 2018 USEA Annual Meeting and Convention page for more info.

[USEA to Live Stream the 2018 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention]