Classic Eventing Nation

Ocala Jockey Club CCI3*/CCI2* Cross Country Live Updates

By on Nov 17, 2018 12:39 pm -

Fence 23ABC – Clubhouse Water. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Welcome, EN, to cross country day at Ocala Jockey Club! We’re pleased to be bringing you all the action from both the CCI3* and the CCI2*.

Kristen Bond and Liz Bond’s Enough Already are your three-star dressage leaders, and they are slated to run at 1:23 p.m. Meanwhile, Alex O’Neal and Fury H lead the two-star group.

Both the CCI3* and the CCI2* are streaming live on EQTV Network with commentary from our own Jenni Autry, and we’ll be bringing you live updates here, so keep updating this page for all the latest.

Update 2:04: We’re about to get started with the CCI2*, so If you missed the CCI3* keep scrolling to the bottom to catch up on the action.

#OJC3DE Links: Website, Cross Country Start Times, Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Katherine Coleman and Monte Classico have taken over the lead of the CCI3*, and Alex O’Neal kept his lead of the CCI2* with Fury H. Stay tuned for the report soon!

CCI2* Live Updates 2

4:13 The time was easy to catch, and the top of the CCI2* remains relatively unchanged.

4:13 Nilson is home clear with Cash.

4:12 Little close for Nilson at the corner out of the final water, but the horse’s shoulder was inside the flags.

4:11 John Holling and Dushi Terma finish clear inside the time.

4:10 Nilson Moreira Da Silva and Cash having a runout at the angled brush. They’re the final pair on course.

4:09 Dushi Terma gives Jon Holling a wild ride into the water, but they’re clear through the corner out.

4:07 Final rider, Allie Knowles has fallen from Business Class at fence two. Arden Wildasin also had an issue there, so we are suspecting that the light is making that tricky.

4:06 Don Dante again with a bold jump into the final water.

4:05 Leslie Law and First Class home 5 seconds inside the time.

4:02 Jon Holling and Dushi Terma off to a good start! We’re nearing the end of this division.

4:00 Don Dante with a big beautiful jump into the first water. He looks very keen!

4:00 Leslie did the angled brush in a beautiful two, where many have done three.

3:58 Leslie Law just loosing his balance into the first water with First Class, but to be fair to him, he’s ridden a lot of horses out here today!

3:58 Will Coleman off and away with Don Dante

3:57 Jade Anderson and Fernhill Oreo with a beautiful three strides in the angled brush.

3:55 Katie Ruppel has decided to retire Greek Empire on course.

3:55 Leslie Law is on course with First Class.

3:53 Katie Ruppel and Greek Empire have had a runout at the brush at 13.

3:52 Alex O’Neal and Fury H are clear! They’ll hold their lead into the final phase.

3:51 BT Just a Rebel is happy to just lave one out at the Elephant Trap. Hang on Lila!

3:51 Alex is clear through the final combination. He’s one from home and is looking good on the time.

3:50 Lila Gendal and BT Just A Rebel are sailing around this track

3:49 Katie Ruppel and Greek Empire are off and away.

3:48 Arden has a very positive ride through the final water. You can see the shadows changing on course, so it’s possible the light affected visibility where she had her early stop.

3:46 Kim Liddell is home clear inside the time.

3:46 Lila Gendal and BT Just A Rebel have a great ride through the elephant trap.

3:44 Kim Liddell hasn’t gotten a lot of screen time, but the snippets have been very impressive riding.

3:43 Overnight leader Alex O’Neal is on course with Fury H. He has to make the time to keep his lead.

3:42 Robin Walker and SBT Barolo are continue to have a very confident round in the horse’s debut at the level.

3:41 Hallie is home clear. She’s had a super cross country day in Florida.

3:40 Arden Wildasin has picked up a stop at the second fence with Il Vici.

3:38 Robin Walker and SBT Barolo take the long route at the first water.

3:36 Hallie Coon has a super ride through the offset hedges, and she’s been pulled up on a hold as they repair the frangible pin at 19.

3:34 Ashley Johnson and Firefly have picked up 11 penalties for activating the frangible pin at the Elephant Trap.

3:34 Hallie Coon and Cooley SOS have a big jump into the first water.

3:33 Lindsay has a great ride through the final water.

3:31 Ashley Johnson and FireFly making the double wedges look easy.

3:29 Lindsay has had a runout at fence 13, those have caused a lot of issues today.

3:27 Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge clear through the first water.

3:25 Joe Meyer shares a few reminders with Gortglas Crazy Love, and they’re clear through the first water.

3:23 Allie and Casarino have continued to go clear. I should add that this grey horse is absolutely sparkling! Shout out to her groom!

3:21 Stephanie Goodman and Drs Resolute have had a runout at fence 7. She’s clear on second attempt.

3:20 Maya has a super ride through the final water.

3:19 Allie Knowles is back with fifth-placed Casarino.

3:18 Maya Black and FE Black Ice clear through the offset hedges.

3:17 MGH Heartbeat looking full of running for Justine.

3:17

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@lkieffer has her hands full with this one 😂

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3:15 We’re getting out first sighting of Justine Dutton and MGH Heartbeat, who has quite the incredible gallop.

3:13 We can confirm that Doug and Starr Witness did make the time, so he’s our provisional leader. Alex O’Neal is the only rider who could beat him now.

3:12 Uprising does a flyby at the offset hedges with Waylon.

3:10 Gabrielle Ruane has jumped clear, and becomes the provisional leader as we wait for confirmation on Doug’s time.

3:10 Hang on there Waylon! Uprising jumps like a rocket into the first water.

3:09 Starr Witness plops a big into the final water, but makes it to the corner out easily.

3:07 Rebecca Hoos and Little Cruz are clear through the tricky combination at 13.

3:06 We’re watching Doug cut corners in his usual style to gain some time.

3:05 4.4 time penalties for Lesley and Lady Chatterley.

3:05 Will Coleman currently leads, but Gabrielle Ruane and Doug Payne, who are both on course, could go ahead of him with a clear round.

3:03 Lesley and Lady Chatterley keep looking more and more confident after each fence. A really great round!

3:01 Second-placed Starr Witness and Doug Payne are off to a good shot with a textbook performance through the first combination.

2:59 We finally get a view of fence 13 that’s caused so much trouble, and we saw Lesley Grant-Law and Lady Chatterley tackle it easily.

2:58 Crimson has put the breaks on at the jump in of the final water. She and Shelby are clear on second attempt, but now have 40 penalties.

2:56 Oh no! Clark Montgomery and Caribbean Soul have had a run out at fence 13. He decided to call it a day.

2:54 Shelby and Crimson have had a stop at those pesky brushes at 13.

2:52 Shelby Brost and Crimson just skip through the first water.

2:52 Clark Montgomery off to a super start with this exciting Thoroughbred Caribbean Soul.

2:50 Natasha has been eliminated with a third refusal at fence 17.

2:49 Natasha has had a second runout at fence 14.

2:48 Natasha Erschen and FE Gran Torino become another pair to have a runout at the brush at 13.

2:47 Now we’re hearing Arden game home clear 41 seconds inside the time. I would agree with our commentators, she didn’t look too fast, so I think the time is proving easy today.

2:46 Arden Wildasin is having a very efficient round.

2:46 Sinead Halpin has picked up 20 jumping penalties with Cutty Sark. Not sure where yet.

2:45 A beautiful ride for Briggs Surratt and Bright Water at fence 14.

2:42 Sinead gets a great shot over the running rails.

2:41 Will Coleman and TKS Cooley come home in an incredible 9 minutes and 31 seconds. The optimum time is 10 minutes.

2:29 Arden Wildasin and APOGEE get just a little quick to the B element of fence four.

2:38 Sinead Halpin is clear through the first water with Cutty Sark.

2:37 La Paz jumping the high side of the angled brush, but getting it done.

2:36 Sara Mittleider and La Paz have a runout at 13, the same spot where Leslie had his runout.

2:35 Jon Holling and Dalanteretto finish 20 seconds inside the time.

2:25 I missed this earlier, but now can confirm that Allie Knowles and Princess B did make the time. With two already going double clear, we can expect many more to do the same.

2:33 We haven’t seen much of her, but Dalanteretto looking really super through the water with Jon Holling in the mare’s CCi2* debut.

2:30 Sara Mittleider  and La Paz shows off his impressive scope over the third fence.

2:29 Nilson Moreira Da Silva  and Rock Phantom are off and away. They’re clear through the first combination.

2:27 Jade Anderson and Fernhill Q home 14 seconds inside the time.

2:26 TKS Cooley is looking very game at the first water!

2:24 Unfortunately Leslie Law and LCC Vogue have had a runout at fence 13. They were placed third after dressage, so we may be looking at a leaderboard shuffle today.

2:23 Allie and Princess B are home clear. Will Coleman and TKS Cooley have started.

2:22 Jade Anderson and Fernhill Q are making their CCI2* but have been looking brilliant around this track.

2:20 Third-placed Leslie Law and LCC Vogue are on course.

2:19 Allie and Princess B with a confident ride through the Elephant trap.

2:17 Jade Anderson and Fernhill Q are now off and away.

2:17 Allie gets a little stuck at the first water, but definitely responds afterward with forward riding.

2:24 We’re looking at a 10 minute course for this division, which is on the longer side for the two-star level, but with the ground being so good I am looking forward to seeing how that may affect times.

2:13 Pathfinders Allie Knowles and Princess B are off onto Clayton Frederick’s cross country course.

CCI3* Live Updates 

2:03 Your CCI3* Top Ten after cross country:

1:54 What a great day for the three-star riders! We’re just waiting on Lauren’s official time. Stay tuned as the two-star will start at 2:10!

1:52 Probably 10 or so seconds above the time for Lauren. That means Katherine Coleman and Monte Classico are your new CCI3* leaders!

1:51 Lauren has an absolutely beautiful ride through the final water, but she’s not looking like she’ll be quite fast enough to take the lead.

1:50 Lauren goes for a long one at the angled brush, and Paramount Importance steps up for her.

1:49 Joe Meyer and Johnny Royale pick up 5.6 time penalties.

1:47 Johnny Royale is another to hang a leg at the final water, and again his rider, Joe, sits strong to go clear.

1:46 Joe Meyer takes a careful look at his watch after the log to skinny brush combination at 22. He’s sitting on a Thoroughbred, so we’re hoping he can make the time.

1:46 Just lovely through the first water for Lauren Kieffer and Paramount Importance.

1:45 Kristen Bond seemed to be taking a bit of a detour before the last combination. It’s unclear if she took a wrong turn or potentially was having control problems.

1:44 Now the only rider who could take the lead from Katherine Coleman, Lauren Kieffer, is on course. It will be a race against the clock for her.

1:43 Ugh! A devastating runout for Kristen Bond at the brush at fence 20B. Katherine Coleman now currently take the lead in the division.

1:42 Joe Meyer and Johnny Royale taking a flying leap into the water. This horse is very keen!

1:41 Kristen sees a great shot through the Elephant trap, but she’s got to put the pedal down a little more to keep her lead.

1:40 Kristen is clear with the double corners.

1:39 We’ve only seen a few shots of Kristen and Enough Already, but they’re clear so far and looking quick!

1:39 Leslie Law has a runout at the angled brushes, the same fence where Jacob had a runout.

1:38 Jacob and Atlantic Domino clear through the final combination. We’re so bummed for him having that runout on course.

1:36 Hallie Coon and Lansdowne pick up just 4.4 time penalties. They’ve got the fastest ride of the day so far.

1:36 Oh dear. A runout at fence 20 for Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino.

1:35 Overnight leaders Kristen Bond and Enough Already are on course!

1:35 Leslie has a beautiful ride through the first water!

1:33 Lansdowne is yet another horse to hang a leg in the clubhouse water. Hallie hangs on and jumps the C element with no stirrups. Good save!

1:32 Atlantic Domino proves how clever he is through the first water. They’re off to a great start.

1:31 Olympian Leslie Law now comes forward with Voltaire De Tre

1:30 Erin Sylvester and Paddy The Caddy have definitely had the best ride through the final water by the clubhouse so far.

1:29 Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino are off to a very strong start!

1:28 Hallie Coon and Lansdowne looking scrappy, but super through the first water.

1:27 Oh dear. London Town hangs a leg over the middle element of the final water, and trips after, nearly unseating Alexis. They save it to go clear over the C element. Way to get it done!

1:26 Erin and Paddy The Caddy get a little too close for comfort to the middle element of the first water, but they get it done.

1:25 Official time in for Katherine Coleman. She and Monte Classico add 4.8 time penalties for a score of 34.5.

1:25 Hallie Coon is away with Lansdowne

1:24 London Town made the Elephant Trap look easy.

1:22 We’re also seeing our first sighting of Erin Sylvester and Paddy The Caddy. This is the only pair in the group who have previously won a CCI3*.

1:22 West coasters Alexis Helffrich and London Town clear through the first water, though just a little underpowered.

1:21 Katherine and Monte Classico home in what I’m expecting to be a quick time.

1:20 Kate Chadderton coming to grief at the corner at 13A with VS McCuan Civil Liberty. She retires after two run outs.

1:19 Monte Classico gets a little tied up with the middle element at the final water, but recovers very quickly.

1:18 Ellie and Zeta finish 39 seconds over the optimum time of 10 minutes.

1:17 Ellie is clear through the final water, but down on the clock at the moment. Meanwhile, Katherine is speeding up toward the end.

1:16 Beautiful going for Monte Classico! Easily tackles the double brush at 15ABC.

1:15 VS McCuan Civil Liberty is making his return to the CCI3* level for the first time since 2015 with Kate Chadderton riding.

1:14 Katherine kept a beautiful quiet balance through the first water. She’s clear so far.

1:12 Ellie is clear through the double corners at 13AB. This was a hugely influential combination last year, taking out some of the best.

1:11 Ellie and Zeta have a textbook performance through the first water at 11ABC.

1:11 Wow! The gallop on Monte Classico is enough to make you drool!

1:10 Katherine Coleman is circling the box now with Monte Classico, who is making his CCI3* debut.

1:08 Ellie makes quick work of the Turf Table Combo at fence 6ABC.

1:07 Ellie and Zeta are looking super across the first few fences.

1:05 Ellie O’Neal and Zeta are circling the box! Here we go.

1:01 Jenni Autry and Karen O’Connor are leading the way on the live stream with brilliant commentary. Check it out for some cool drone footage of the course as we await the start.

12:58 Looks like we’re just a few minutes delayed as we wait for the live stream to pick back up!

12:40 p.m. Click here for an order of go. First horse is off at 12:55 p.m.

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Take a Gamble with Finger Lakes Finest

By on Nov 17, 2018 11:00 am -

Ain’t no rest for the weary. After the Thoroughbred Makeover in Kentucky one weekend and Rocking Horse H.T. the next, Elisa Wallace headed back up north to the Finger Lakes Racetrack with her friend Rebecca Bowman to pick up a couple prospects for the 2019 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover. What happens when two horse professionals head to the track with an empty six horse trailer? Needless to say, the pair travelled back to Georgia with a full load for themselves and their clients.

Elisa herself has two new prospects, Frosty Martini and Play Big. Prior to heading up to New York, Elisa had found and purchased “Frosty” via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds online. In her latest vlog she takes us to the backside of Finger Lakes Racetrack where she picks up Frosty and to a nearby farm where another prospect, whom she’s calling “Gamble”, catches her eye. It’ll be a treat to watch her bring along these two 2019 RRP hopefuls!

Frosty Martini (left) and Play Big (right). Consider these the “before” pictures. Photos via Elisa Wallace Eventing on Facebook.

The meet at Finger Lakes will be wrapping up in a two and a half weeks so many horses who are retiring from racing are looking for new homes and careers before their trainers head south for the winter. Finger Lakes Finest volunteers saw 21 horses this past weekend who’ll be looking for new homes and they’ll be listing them on their Facebook page. If you’re ready to take a gamble on your own OTTB, now is an excellent time to do so. Here are three from Finger Lakes ready to move on to their next career:

Candy Road. Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Candy Road (SOCIANO – RUNINTHEFASTLANE, BY PIKEPASS): 2014 16.1-hand New York-bred mare

Hmm, notice any similarities between this lovely lady and Elisa Wallace’s Frosty Martini above? The resemblance is uncanny, and it makes sense considering they are half-siblings out of the same mare! Candy Road additionally has a Fappiano sire line, making for a truly covetable sporthorse pedigree.

This four-year-old is nicely put together and has beautifully clean legs. Her jog video shows a lovely floating trot with good reach. According to her trainer, she can get a little strong when she’s in full race training, but when she’s off the track and on the farm she’s a mellow sweetheart.

View Candy Road on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Bellelarama. Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Bellelarama (GIROLAMO – BOCA BELLE, BY SILVER DEPUTY): 2014 16.1-hand New York-bred mare

There is a lot to like about this solidly-built mare — her lovely shoulder, strong hindquarters, and proudly-set neck just to name a few things. With some hoof care to remedy that long toe/low heel often seen in racehorses, she could possibly be the perfect prospect!

As it is, Bellelrama has done decently for herself on the track earning just shy of $68,000 in 26 starts but that’s not quite enough for her trainer to bring her back for next season. Bellelrama trotted politely for her groom who couldn’t trot very well himself due to a recent injury, but she showed promising movement and was sound without hind shoes. In addition to having good ground manners even on a blustery chilly day, this sweet mare also enjoyed being adored and groomed in her stall.

View Bellelarama on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Funny Surprise. Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Funny Surprise (GIANT SURPRISE – EMILY HA HA, BY BRIGHT LAUNCH): 2014 16.1-hand New York-bred mare.

Funny Surprise is described by her trainer as “a sweetheart with wonderful ground manners, a classy mare and just an all around good egg.” She also did decently for herself as a racehorse with just over $86,000 earned in 32 starts. Those 32 starts included 13 second place finishes, which meant she brought in a steady paycheck for her connections and could keep running in some of the easier conditions throughout her career. Her success also means she’s a talented athlete with a good work ethic. Now that the racing season in New York is ending, she needs to find a new home and a career where she can excel.

View Funny Surprise on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds on Facebook.

Amanda Pottinger Leads Adelaide CCI4* After Dramatic Cross Country

By on Nov 17, 2018 9:24 am -

Amanda Pottinger and Just Kidding. Photo courtesy of the Australian International Three-Day Event.

Amanda Pottinger and Just Kidding lead the Adelaide CCI4*after an exciting and somewhat controversial cross country day at the Australian International Three-Day Event.

Coming off the course, Amanda and the 12-year-old Thoroughbred (Fusaichi Pegasus x Gypsy Princess, by Sadler’s Wells) had 50 penalty points added to their score for jumping outside of the flag on fence 9C, a  brush corner, according to a report from New Zealand Horse & Pony. Second-placed Hazel Shannon was also given the same penalty at the same fence.

After reviewing video, the Ground Jury ultimately decided to remove the penalties for both riders giving us a sense of déjà vu after last year’s penalty controversy.

Four-star debutants, Amanda and “Ferg,” who is owned by the Pottinger Family, were in 8th place yesterday after scoring a 34.8 on the flat. The kiwi pair picked up 12.4 time penalties to go (almost) straight to the top as the second fastest of the day. They carry a score of 47.2 into the final phase.

Hazel Shannon and Willingapark Clifford. Photo courtesy of the Australian International Three-Day Event.

2016 winners Hazel Shannon and Willingapark Clifford, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred owned by Terrence Snow, are looking confident in second place on a current score of 51.5. They added 17.6 time penalties around Mike Etherington-Smith’s track to move up from fifth.

Emily Gray and Jocular Vision. Photo courtesy of the Australian International Three-Day Event.

Though they didn’t finish the day in the very top spot, Emily Gray and  Jocular Vision, a 14-year old Warmblood/Thoroughbred (Jubliee Bay x Pocohontas, by Domingo) made the incredible leap from last place to the top three after a challenging cross country test. They were the very fastest pair of the bunch in 11 minutes and 51 seconds for a two-day result of 67.3.

“I knew this wasn’t going to be a dressage competition for us, we were definitely looking ahead to the Cross Country,” Emily said. “I had my plan in my head. It was a tough track, I didn’t know what had happened out there, and I wanted to stick to my own plan.”

Mike Etherington-Smith’s track received rave reviews from competitors and fans. If you missed it, check out a fly-by at this link. Only half of the 24 starters finished. None finished within the time, but Emily Gray was the closest to the optimum time of 11 minutes 27 seconds.

Adelaide Links: Website, Cross Country Results, Dressage Results, Schedule

[What a difference a day makes (4* Cross Country results)]

Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on Nov 17, 2018 12:01 am -

Halt, salute, snack. Photo by JJ Sillman.

Week by week, the number of horse trials dwindle as fall creeps towards winter. It’s pretty hard to deny Winter is Coming and that 2018 really is waning now that much of the East Coast (and beyond – I see you Texas and Oklahoma) has had their first snowfall. Even sunny Florida can’t escape the cold front; spectators are bundled up in puffy coats in all the pictures I see from Ocala!

National Holiday: National Take a Hike Day

Major Weekend Events:

Ocala Jockey Club CIC & CCI: Website, Entry Status, XC Start Times, Schedule, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Action:

Fresno County Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Saturday Links:

Ringside Chat: Sinead Halpin Is Juggling Motherhood And Career Aspirations

‘It Restores Your Faith In Humanity’: How Equestrians Showed Up For California Wildfire Evacuees (And How You Can Help, Too)

30 Years of Equine Nutrition Research: What Have We Learned?

Plans For Horse Park In West Virginia Put Into Action

Before You Breed Your Horse: Costs and Considerations

PODCAST: Unpack the New FEI Star System + Preview the 2018 USEA Convention

Five Things The Great British Baking Show Has Taught Me About Riding

Saturday Video: Ah, eventers in the off season!

Snow Day at Bourke Eventing! #offseason

Posted by Bourke Eventing on Thursday, November 15, 2018

Kristen Bond and Enough Already Top Ocala Jockey Club CCI3*

By on Nov 16, 2018 5:45 pm -

Kristen Bond and Enough Already. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Kristen Bond and Liz Bond’s Enough Already delivered the best dressage score of the horse’s entire international career today at the Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event to lead the CCI3* on 27.8.

“Drake,” a 10-year-old KWPN gelding (Winningmood van de Arenberg X Zandora, by Landor S), finished fifth in his first CCI3* at Rebecca Farm over the summer, and Kristen said he came away from Montana a different horse.

“He keeps getting stronger and stronger,” she said. “Today the warm-up felt the same as the test. He was able to carry it through and actually came up a little bit more in the test. He’s very consistent and he tries really hard. He enjoyed the atmosphere and was really rideable and stayed quiet.”

Kristen came to Ocala with a goal to go faster than she did at Rebecca and joked that she would have preferred to score something closer to 20.0 to give her more breathing room for time penalties tomorrow. But she made it clear she plans to put the pedal down.

“He’s fitter than he’s ever been, and the course looks really good. It’s a really good course for him in particular. … There’s no reason not to go out and really attack it. I like that the first part is pretty galloping. It gets you in a rhythm. I think (course designer Clayton Fredericks) used the terrain really well,” Kristen.

“I know what I need to do to save a bit more time this weekend. I need to be better with my lines and get away from the fences better and not set up quite so early. I think if I do all those things, it will take a lot of time off.”

If you missed EN’s exclusive interview with Kristen over the summer, it’s a must-read. She returned to the Advanced level this year following a six-year hiatus while she started a family with her husband, Andrew. Her children, Beckham, 3, and Berkeley, 18 months, adore Drake, who is an extremely kind horse and very gentle with them.

“He has been a very special horse to me because he can do all three phases but he’s a really sweet guy. He’s a pet in the barn. … He would be really difficult to replace for sure. He’s really special. He’s really kind. He’s really safe. He’s only bucked me off once when I tried to ride him bareback at Rebecca.”

Kristen also jumped her first 1.40-meter Grand Prix on him last weekend in Tampa. “It was the coolest thing I’ve done in a long time. I absolutely would recommend it because it makes everything seem so much more doable.”

Katherine Coleman and Monte Classico. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Katherine Coleman and her own Monte Classico scored 29.7 to sit in second place after dressage in the horse’s CCI3* debut. “Monte,” a a 9-year-old German Sport Horse gelding (Monte Bellini X W-Sally, by Saami xx), just missed matching his personal best from Blenheim (29.2) and is a serious horse for the future. Keep an eye on this one!

Lauren Kieffer and Jacqueline Mars’s Paramount Importance, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Pasco X Gesche II, by Louis), scored 33.1 for third place in their first CCI3* together as a combination. “Louis” last competed in a CCI3* at the 2017 European Championships at Strzegom, where he finished 15th with Ludwig Svennerstal.

Lauren Kieffer and Paramount Importance. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Leslie Law and Voltaire de Tre’, a 9-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Gentleman IV X Jasmina du Fresne, by Socrate de Chivre) owned by Tre’ Book, scored 33.8 for fourth place. “Splash” finished fourth in his first CCI3* at Jersey Fresh in May and is making his second appearance at the level here at the Ocala Jockey Club.

Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Dunlough Striker X Atlantic Amanda, by Glidawn Diamond) owned by Jacob and Frank Fletcher and Fletcher Farms, scored 34.1 to round out the top five after dressage.

Click here to view full scores in the CCI3*. You can also rewatch the live stream from dressage here.

Alex O’Neal and Fury FH. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Looking to the CCI2*, Alex O’Neal and Fury H snuck into the lead on the second day of dressage today, scoring 29.5 to just best Doug Payne and Starr Witness’s day one leading score of 29.6.

“Marvin,” an 8-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Sally Cox, was sourced through Flynn Sport Horses two years ago and originally purchased as a ride for Ellie MacPhail O’Neal, Alex’s wife.

But the horse ultimately grew to nearly 18 hands, earning the moniker of “Large Marve” along the way, and Ellie opted to hand the ride to Alex this season.

“He turned out to be a much bigger horse than she usually rides and not really her type. She was really nice to let me have a shot at him. We suit each other really well,” Alex said.

“We’re both a little bit arrogant and like to do things our own way, and I think we respect that about each other. I just leave him alone and let him do his thing, and I don’t put too much pressure on him schooling. He always goes in the ring and does a really nice test for me.”

Alex and Marvin have had a successful year together since starting their partnership, winning the CIC2* at Chattahoochee Hills and finishing ninth in the Stable View CIC2*.

The Ocala Jockey Club is serving as Marvin’s inaugural CCI2* run, and Alex said he really likes the track Clayton Fredericks has laid out for the horses and riders.

“I think Clayton has done a great job, and I think the distances are really nice. I think it’s a long way around but it will suit my horse,” Alex said.

“I think the terrain will be really tough. I think you’ll see a lot of horses that looked good coming into this that struggle at the end, but I think Clayton did a good job of putting the right fences at the end.”

Doug Payne and Starr Witness, a 7-year-old KWPN mare Doug owns with Catherine Winter and Laurie McRee, sit in second place on 29.6 in her debut at the level. Leslie Law and Beatrice Rey-Herme’s JKF Vogue sat in second following the first day of dressage and now sit in third place on 29.7.

Tamie Smith and Danito. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

A massive 71-horse field came forward for the CCI*, and Tamie Smith and Ruth Bley’s Danito ultimately prevailed following two intense days of dressage. Their score of 22.6 has them soundly sitting in first place by a healthy 3.4-penalty margin.

Ruth originally purchased the Hanoverian gelding (Dancier X Wie Musik, by Wolkenstein II) as a 4-year-old sales prospect, but when he came to Tamie to sell she thought he was a serious horse for the future. Better known as “Cheeto” and/or “Burrito” at home depending on the day, the horse is proving he has what it takes — and Tamie suggested he is an even better mover than Mai Baum.

“At our first event together I didn’t know him, and I kind of surprised him going out of the start box at the (American Eventing Championships). I rode him just a little too strong there, “Tamie said, “but then after that I learned a lot about him.

“I think being on the East Coast has really helped us develop a great bond. … He’s been phenomenal. I had a blast in the whole test today.”

With Ruth’s blessing, the plan for Danito is now to see just how far he can go up the levels. “He’s got a big jump in him. You never know until they do it, but I think he will be a type who wants to do it because he trusts his rider.”

Looking to the rest of the CCI* leaderboard, Ellie MacPhail O’Neal and Sally Cox’s Zick Zack scored 26.0 for second place. Liz Halliday-Sharp and Pru Dawes’s Gorsehill Cooley sit in third place on 26.9.

The schedule has been adjusted slightly for cross country day tomorrow. Click here for start times. The CCI* starts at 9:15 a.m., followed by the CCI3* at 12:55 p.m. and the CCI2* at 2:10 p.m. All of cross country will stream live on EQTV Network and here on EN. Click here for a fence-by-fence preview of Clayton Fredericks’s CCI3* cross country course.

CIC3* show jumping will also take place at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow. It’s going to be a bit of a mad day tomorrow at #OJC3DE and we’re glad you’re along for the ride. Go Eventing.

#OJC3DE Links: Website, XC Start Times, Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Friday Video from World Equestrian Brands: Appreciating the Unique Talents of Horses

By on Nov 16, 2018 5:30 pm -

It’s World Horse Appreciation Day, apparently, although I only discovered this a few minutes ago (cheers to the Burghley Instagram page for enlightening me; I feel like a sufficiently dreadful equestrian journalist). Anyway, it made me feel a bit better about the full twenty minutes I spent in the feed shop earlier, debating whether or not it might be a bit much to buy my horse her own advent calendar this year. I’m just appreciating my horse, while she appreciates the (presumably) agonisingly long wait for Santa Claus, and also extra treats.

There’s plenty of reasons to appreciate the horses in our lives: they put up with us attempting to school them, after all, and they often take a hell of a lot of jokes where choosing a stride is concerned. On bad days, they’re a sweet-smelling and nonjudgmental shoulder to cry on, and on good days, they’re our very best partners in crime. Most of all, they teach us something — about riding, or about ourselves, or, at the very least, about failing graciously.

But enough with all the serious stuff. Today, I vote we appreciate horses for their rather more individualised sets of skills. Skills such as…

Weeing elegantly

Offering convenient dismounting options

One Way To Dismount 😂😂

One Way To Dismount 😂😂

Posted by Renault Master Horsebox on Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Accepting others, despite their differences

I forgot to post this picture from the Swedish Warmblood Inspection, in Colts Neck, NJ. Foals are presented with their…

Posted by Hope Hill Tack Shop on Thursday, October 4, 2018

Artistic jumping

Teamwork

(For licensing or usage, contact [email protected])

Funniest. Thing. Ever. 😂


#catridingapony

Posted by Becky Yank on Saturday, December 30, 2017

Early education

 

Today: My first trot up 😍

Posted by Arville Sporthorses on Monday, October 16, 2017

Roof

 

First snow ⛄️ President & Mini Cooper ⛄️ #capitalweather #capitalhorses #af1 #minicooperpony

Posted by Kama Godek LLC on Thursday, November 15, 2018

Has your horse got any, um, unique skills that you’re feeling extra appreciative of today? Drop the story — or, even better, a pic or video — in the comments, and let’s all appreciate these ridiculous creatures together. Go weird horses, and Go Eventing!

Walk (or Fly!) Around the Adelaide CCI4* Course

By on Nov 16, 2018 2:34 pm -

The Gillian Rolton Olympic Memorial fence at #5AB. Photo courtesy of CrossCountryApp.com.

Imagine a four-star cross country course ribboning its way through New York City’s Central Park and, less some skyscrapers, you’ll have a sense of the venue that hosts the Australian International Three-Day Event. Relocated in 1997 to the scenic East Parklands of South Australia’s cosmopolitan capital, Adelaide, the event is quite literally in the middle of the city. Among the Parkland’s gum trees and green expanses there are lakes, playgrounds and cafés, and for one week each November, it becomes a stomping ground for horses as well as people.

An urban cross country oasis. Screenshot via CrossCountryApp.com.

Thousands of spectators are expected to turn out to watch Saturday’s cross country action, and thanks to our friends at Cross Country App we can enjoy a virtual tour of Mike Etherington-Smith’s course. We have a few changes to look forward to this year, including a revamped water jump and a new track back to Stag Corner thanks to a completed road tunnel.

CCI4* dressage leader Katie Taliana, who scored a 31.0 with Trevalgar II, her own 14-year-old British Sport Horse gelding (Fleetwood Opposition x The Wexford Lady, by Fire Blade), says of the 2018 track, “The cross country course is tougher than last year, but she’s going to have to be confident and stick to her plan. Cross country is Trevalgar II’s favorite, so she’s looking forward to it.” See our dressage report here.

Many thanks Mike Etherington-Smith, assistant course designer/CIC3* course designer Sylvia Roberts, and course builder/assistant CCI2* designer Mick Pineo for the commentary. The photos are by Sylvia Roberts and Astrid Jausel, and the videos are by Helen Diacono. The CIC3* and CCI2* courses may also be viewed at Cross Country App.

Bonus! Enjoy this flyover of the course:

Adelaide Links: Website, Dressage Results, XC Order of Go, Schedule, EN’s Coverage

Ocala Jockey Club CCI3* Cross Country Course Preview

By on Nov 16, 2018 11:47 am -

Fence 11ABC – Double Log Drop to Fish. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event added a new CCI3* this year in Reddick, Florida, making it the fifth CCI3* offered in North America this season. Eleven combinations will take on Clayton Fredericks’s track, which is his inaugural CCI3* course as a designer. Mike Etherington-Smith, who designed the CIC3* track for the past two years, served as an advisor to Clayton this year in his freshman effort at this level.

While Ocala is notoriously flat, the Ocala Jockey Club boasts the highest elevation in Marion County. Clayton has maximized every possible bit of terrain to design a course that will test fitness. The footing feels fabulous and the course, built by the one and only Tyson Rementer, is beautifully presented.

The influential Double Corner Combination that caught out 16 pairs in the CIC3* last year is back on the course this year for both the CCI3* and CIC3*. The riders also agree that the Double Brush combination at the end of the CCI3* course will prove challenging. There is plenty to do out there, and the stage is set for a thrilling day of cross country tomorrow.

The CCI3* course has 40 total jumping efforts and 26 numbered fences set across 5,816 meters. The optimum time is 10 minutes. Scroll down for a fence-by-fence preview of the course. You can watch CCI3* cross country live on EN and on EQTV Network at 12:45 p.m. tomorrow. Go Eventing.

#OJC3DE Links: Website, Dressage Start Times, Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

By the Numbers: Ocala Jockey Club CCI3*

By on Nov 16, 2018 7:00 am -

Ocala Jockey Club has generously moved mountains to offer the east coast a second shot at a fall CCI3*, and the competitors who held out to compete here have been rewarded with some gorgeous weather for the weekend. In contrast, much of the U.S. has gotten snow of some type in the last week (and our thoughts are with California, who has the opposite issue with wildfires). Clearly this event needs to be on everyone’s calendar for next year.

We are down to 11 entries in the CCI3* after Tamie Smith withdrew heavy favorite Mai Baum on Thursday afternoon. Here’s an analytical look at the event and the field! Check out EN’s CIC3* dressage report here.

The stunning Ocala Jockey Club in Reddick, Florida. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The Venue

  • Ocala has only held a CIC3* before; this will be its first iteration of the CCI3*.
  • In two runnings of the CIC3*, the winner was placed no higher than third after dressage.
  • Three starters thus far have managed to finish on their dressage score out of 54 total starters.

Dressage Divas

Kristen Bond and Enough Already. Photo by Jenni Autry.

  • Kristen Bond and Enough Already have been chipping away at the first phase in the horse’s first year at the level after putting in a solid mark of 28.1 in their first run at Carolina. Most recently they equaled that personal best at Morven in the Advanced Championships.
  • Jacob Fletcher has quietly been putting in solid performances on Atlantic Domino all year, scoring in the sub-32 range in three of their five outings since last year. This pair has broken into the 20s back in 2015 when they won the American Eventing Championships with a dressage personal best of 27.6 but haven’t quite cracked that mark since the horse returned to the top levels.
  • Voltaire de Tre has had a solid first year at the level under the tutelage of Leslie Law, with an average score of 32.6. Although they’ve flirted with scores above 70%, they’ve only cracked the mark once, in an Advanced division at The Fork earlier this spring.

Cross Country Machines

Erin Sylvester and Paddy the Caddy. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

  • Paddy the Caddy can certainly push the clock under Erin Sylvester; in three starts at the CCI3/4* level, he’s finished inside the time in two of them, while clocking in only eight seconds over in the third.
  • Atlantic Domino is a speedster at this level, who up until his most recent starts had never finished more than 10 seconds over optimum with a clear round under Jacob Fletcher. Although his pace slowed considerably in the last two starts, he can generally be depended on to finish within 10 seconds of the fastest pace of the day.

Show Jumping Powerhouses

Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino. Photo by Jenni Autry.

  • Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino are one of the strongest pairs at the final phase; overall they’ve jumped clear in 10 of their 13 show jumping rounds at the level and they’ve never had a rail in five rounds when stadium was last, including two previous CCI3* completions.
  • Leslie Law and Voltaire de Tre have jumped clear in seven of nine rounds at the level, all this year. In five results where cross country was first, they’ve had only one rail down in total.
  • Erin Sylvester also has a strong record with Paddy the Caddy, clocking in seven of eight clear rounds when cross country is before stadium, including two CCI3* completions. However, they’ve had one rail in three of their four rounds this year, leaving the door open on the final day for others.

PREDICTED WINNER: Erin Sylvester and Paddy the Caddy

Erin Sylvester and Paddy the Caddy. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Keep Your Eye On:

  • Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino
  • Leslie Law and Voltaire de Tre
  • Lauren Kieffer and Paramount Importance

#OJC3DE Links: Website, Dressage Start Times, Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Australian Ladies Get in Formation Atop Adelaide Dressage Leaderboard

By on Nov 16, 2018 6:54 am -

Katie Taliana and Trevalgar II. Photo courtesy of the Australian International Three-Day Event.

One and a third point separate the top three after the Australian International Three-Day Event’s dressage phase. Leading the way are Katie Taliana and Trevalgar II, her own 14-year-old British Sport Horse gelding (Fleetwood Opposition x The Wexford Lady, by Fire Blade), on a score of 31.0.

“He is amazing,” Katie says. “He is such a good boy and will do anything I ask of him. He’s been a bit tricky over the last 12 months, but he was back to his normal self today.”

2018 marks this pair’s second crack at the Adelaide CCI4*, having finished in the top 10 last year. The 31-year-old Aussie has been hard at work at it since then, having been named to Equestrian Australia’s Generation Next High Performance Eventing Squad and securing a couple top finishes at the three-star level. While working for Zara Phillips in the UK several years ago, Katie purchased the horse for £1,000 and later brought him back to Australia, developing him from the one-star level forward.

Asked how she feels about sitting in the top position after day one, Katie says, “I’m a bit excited — I’m stoked actually! The first time I came here, I really wanted to do well in the dressage and I came fourth. This year he has just gotten better and better, and I’m really excited.”

Looking ahead to cross country, she says, “The cross country course is tougher than last year, but she’s going to have to be confident and stick to her plan. Cross country is Trevalgar II’s favorite, so she’s looking forward to it.”

In second place on a score of 31.5 is another Aussie lady, Emma Bishop, with CP Issey Miyake, her own 10-year-old Australian bred Thoroughbred/warmblood cross mare (Staccato x Isabella Rossellini). Named after a brand of perfume (stable name: “Rose”), this is her first outing at the four-star level.

Emma is also a member of the EA Generation Next High Performance Eventing Squad. She first competed at Adelaide in 2002 when it was a three-star and won the Adelaide CCI2* in 2017 on Warrego Marco Polo. Her last Adelaide CCI4* outing was 10 years ago in 2008, and we’re happy to see her back at the tip-top of the game.

Rounding out the top three on a 32.3 is Lauren Brown with Skys Da Limit, and off-track Thoroughbred gelding (Hurricane Sky x Our Cutey, by Carry A Smile).

Lauren says the horse had a checkered past before hitting his stride as an eventer. “He was skinny and useless as a race horse,” she says. “He came 25 lengths last in his first trial and just got worse from there. But I just had a connection with him — it has never happened with any other horse, but I thought, he is going to be good. Everyone thought I was crazy as he was skinny and out of proportion, but I knew he was going to be good.”

We’ll be back later today with a preview of Mike Etherington-Smith’s cross country track, which winds through the picturesque East Parklands.

[Fresh faces in Top 3 after Day 1 of the CCI4*]

Top 10 After Dressage: 

Adelaide Links: Website, Dressage Results, XC Order of Go, Schedule