Classic Eventing Nation

A Statement from the Team at EN

By on May 28, 2024 11:04 am -

A beautiful sunset in Area VII. Photo by Erin Tomson.

As we look ahead to a week in which, once again, we are left to our thoughts in the wake of the loss of one of our own eventing compatriots, we’ve struggled with how to move forward.

Eventing Nation is a news site, and the news cycle, cruel as ever, continues to march on. While we know there are events, announcements, and other news pieces happening, we’d be lying if we said we felt we could dive right back in to “business as usual”.

This sport is our home. Losing one of our community hits hard. We want to honor the legacy of Georgie, and of every other individual we’ve lost over the years.

So, we’ve decided to cease our operations on social media for the next week. We don’t want to perpetuate the quick-moving news cycle and leave her memory in its wake. We want to give our community time to process what happened, and to find the resources they need to look forward.

We have some obligations to publish timely pieces, and those will continue to be posted on EventingNation.com, but we respectfully ask for your patience as we will not be promoting these articles on our social media. You can keep up with the latest news stories on our website.

In the meantime, please stick together. Reach out for help. Do something kind for your family and friends. Hug your horses. Tilly Berendt has kindly collected several resources that can be useful for assistance here.

We will be back. But we wanted to respect Georgie and her family, and we don’t want to forget what happened by burying it in news.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on May 28, 2024 9:27 am -

 

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Today, out of necessity, I want to approach our News & Notes round-up a little bit differently, and I hope, in some very small way, that it can be useful for all of us.

First of all, I want to lead with a beautiful, and much-shared, post from our friends at Eventing Times, who found the words when I know that I, for one, absolutely could not. When you’re at an event and facing the worst of all possible news — and feeling the eventing family at large tighten into a huddle that serves to keep everyone, but especially those right at the core of the outward ripple of grief, upright — it’s impossible to do more than share the official statement, because the words are no longer there, and everything becomes about putting one foot in front of the other and holding onto one another, both literally and physically. But Georgie was so much more than a statement, as ET rightly points out; she was more than any words on any page. Their tribute, though, is poignant and kind and right, and it’s something that I hope can give some comfort to those who need it most: she was so loved. She was so good.

This week, I will work on finding words, too, because she deserves it, and so, too, do the people who were closest to her. Today, I can’t engage with the wider equestrian news cycle – if I’m honest,  I don’t care, right at this moment, where the Olympic torch has made it to, or the colour scheme picked for the Paris podiums, or who has been picked to represent their nations at this week’s Millstreet Nations Cup. Perhaps that’s unprofessional of me, and perhaps it’s also incredibly selfish of me to be writing this at all, but something I do know is that everybody needs to process what has happened, and for right now, nothing in the world feels more important than what has been lost. And so I will rally, and I will return to EN with new stories and coverage, and all of us will take our forward steps, one at a time – but for right now, and out of respect for Jesse, the Strang and Campbell families, their team, and their friends, I’m going to hold fire on going about it all as normal. It’s not normal. It’s not okay. And it’s not the time to pretend otherwise. While we’ll all continue to move forward, and we absolutely should do, not least because we all need to be present to lean on one another, it’s also going to be a transition that should be navigated carefully.

So today’s N&N, instead, will focus on resources that we can all use. All of us are thinking above all else about Georgie’s nearest and dearest, and how desperately we wish we could do something to ease their passage through the backroads of grief, but I also want to ensure that anyone else caught by the ripple effect of Sunday afternoon’s tragedy is able to get the support that they need. Whether you were a fence judge, photographer, volunteer, organiser, or spectator who witnessed the accident; whether you were on site and experienced the swell of terror and sadness that encapsulated the extended aftermath; whether you were home and following the livestream and saw the fall and are struggling to cope – whoever you are, and whatever your connection is, even if you feel that you’re so far on the outskirts of it that it would be selfish to own how it’s affected you, please let me make one thing clear: how you feel is wholly and completely valid, and you are deserving of support. Please scroll down to find some really wonderful, compassionate sources that you can use to access it, and please, please be gentle with yourself.

The eventing world is by no means perfect, and it’s not, always, a gentle place to be. But in the last couple of days, our extended family has tightened its grip on everyone within it. Together, we can move slowly towards peace. Love one another, and look after one another.

Resources:

  • In conjunction with Sporting Minds, British Eventing and the British Eventing Support Trust has opened a round-the-clock hotline that’s available for anyone to use as they seek guidance and support through this incredibly tough time. You may think of hotlines as a resource that’s reserved for people with suicidal thoughts; you may also think of BEST as a resource that’s reserved for competitors within British Eventing. But they can do much more than that, and BE and BEST have emphasised that anyone can use the hotline and be put through to someone who can help them to navigate their complex feelings and their grief. You can ring them anytime on 07780 008877 and get connected to a counsellor. Once again, I have to emphasise how especially important this is for anyone who witnessed the fall – please do make use of this line.
  • Another great hotline comes through Riders Minds, which also offers the option of a text line if you don’t feel comfortable calling in. Their free call line is available on 0800 088 2073, or you can text the support line on 07480 488 103 to be connected with a trained professional who can give you empathetic, kind support.
  • The NHS has several useful resources available for those suffering with grief, including their own free-to-use helpline, mental health audio guides, tips to help with sleep if you’re struggling with fatigue in the aftermath, and access to support groups, too. You can find all these resources collated here.
  • If you’d prefer an ongoing support system, and to speak to the same person in continuity, Sue Ryder offers up to six free Zoom sessions with a grief counsellor, which can be an extraordinary help. This is available for over-18s and will require you to fill out a short eligibility questionnaire, and you can do so here to get started. 
  • Similarly, Cruse Bereavement Support has a helpline as well as over 80 branches across the UK that can offer you a helping hand from specialists. They also have free resources available that’ll help you to navigate your own private journey through grief. Find them here.
  • Mental health organisation Mind is also a fantastic source for help. Here, you’ll find their collation of a variety of support lines, many of which have specific functions for different groups of people and levels of connection, so if you find you’re holding yourself back from reaching out because you don’t believe your proximity to Georgie is deserving of support, this could be a great help to you.
  • Knowing what to say and how to support someone who’s been affected by this tragedy can be colossally hard. This is a valuable primer to being a solid support system.
  • I can’t stress enough how important it is that witnesses reach out for help. It’s estimated that about a quarter of people who witness a fatality will suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of it. Here’s some salient info on traumatic grief therapy and how it can help you.
  • Edited to add: Thank you to an EN reader for also suggesting the collected resources put together by the team at the Climbing Grief Fund. While it’s been created for participants within a different sport, it includes a number of invaluable resources and a short documentary that are designed specifically to aid in grief following a sporting accident, and is well worth looking at.

Rest in peace, Georgie. You are so missed.

Events Opening Today: One & Done Horse Trials, The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm

Events Closing Today: Full Gallop Farm June H.T., Seneca Valley Pony Club H.T., Horse Park of New Jersey H.T. I, Silverwood Farm Spring H.T., Shepherd Ranch Pony Club H.T. I, Aspen Farm H.T

With thanks to Kentucky Performance Products for their support of EN, and this collection of resources. Please continue reading for more information on how their products can help your horse.

It’s that time of year… hoof abscess season. The constant fluctuation between wet and dry ground creates the perfect environment for abscesses. Luckily, you can prevent an abscess from derailing your spring season. Read up on these five tips from Kentucky Performance Products to prevent hoof abscesses in your horse.

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

By on May 27, 2024 12:01 am -

It’s a very somber Monday morning and we’d be remiss not to take a moment to honor the life of Georgie Campbell, who suffered a fatal accident at Bicton International Horse Trials yesterday, before moving on with business as usual.

Georgie, who was 36 years old, was a show jumper turned eventer and was no stranger to competing at the highest level of this sport. She completed Badminton, Burghley, and Pau, was named to multiple Nations Cup teams representing Great Britain, and her FEI record runs deep throughout the European eventing scene.

I was not fortunate enough to know Georgie personally, but I can speak as someone who has lost a friend to a rotational fall a few years ago. Honestly, there are really no words that can explain what an unspeakable tragedy and accident it is nor are there words adequate enough to comfort those who knew and loved her, especially her husband and family, or those whose lives the ripple-effect of her loss touches. Life, particularly as an equestrian, can be the most beautiful and joyous thing. It can also be cruel beyond belief. Treasure every moment you have with your loved ones, your horses, and everyone in your equestrian sphere.

Rest in peace, Georgie.

U.S. Weekend Results

Flora Lea Spring H.T. (Medford, NJ) [Website]

Spring Coconino Horse Trials (Flagstaff, AZ)[Website] [Results]

USEA MDHT YEH/NEH Qualifier (Adamstown, MD) [Website] [Results]

Virginia Horse Center Eventing (Lexington, VA) [Website] [Results]

Willow Draw Charity Show (Weatherford, TX) [Website] [Results]

Woodside Spring H.T. (Woodside, CA) [Website] [Results]

UK International Events

Bicton Arena International (1) (Devon) [Website] [Results]

European Events

Equestrian Festival Baborówko (Poland) [Website] [Results]

Your Monday Reading List:

In an Olympic year it’s always fun to look back on some history. Today, read about Mexico’s incredible trip to the 1948 Olympic Games in London when Humberto Mariles secured double gold in show jumping AND individual bronze in eventing. Mexico has not won another Olympic Equestrian gold since.

Get to know upper-level eventer Caitlin Silliman a little better in this article which originally appeared in Sidelines Magazine. A native of Pennsylvania, Caitlin now runs her business out of Erin Kanara’s barn in her homes state. She’s sure experienced the highs and lows of the sport, including the True Prospect barn fire and loss of her best friend Annie Goodwin. Here’s her story.

And finally, something that made us smile yesterday: Tim Bourke trotting up a client’s horse in a birthday tiara.

Morning Viewing: Enjoy this adorable pair, Gelane Barr & KCS Rebel Rockateer, rock around the starter division at the Texas Rose Horse Trials.

Recapping the Final Day of VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square

By on May 26, 2024 6:51 pm -

Competition wrapped up Sunday to cap off a highly successful VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square. All remaining divisions completed their competition weekend, with some finishing on show jumping and others concluding with cross country. The FEI Long-format division champions were also crowned, as well as a slew of other award winners for their efforts over the weekend.

Ashton Benefiel and Libris Charlotte. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Benefiel Rises to the Occasion in CCI2*-L

There was a two-way tie for the lead following cross country in the CCI2*-L division, with young riders Tate Northrop and Ashton Benefiel left to duke it out for the eventual win today on matching scores of 32.7.

Olympic show jumping rider-turned-course designer Michel Vaillancourt set a challenging show jumping track across all divisions, including the National levels. The courses required thinking and education on the part of both horse and rider, and caught more than a few pairs out in today’s FEI divisions.

So the pressure was on for our two leaders. Benefiel was the first to ride, bringing forward her 9-year-old British Sport Horse Libris Charlotte (Cevin Z – Witches Broom, by Fraam) and boasting a clear FEI show jumping record with their two previous CCI2*-S and CCI1*-S competitions.

Ashton Benefiel and Libris Charlotte. Photo by Sally Spickard.

They delivered, securing one of four double clear rounds to keep the pressure on Northrop. Northrop rode her 9-year-old Oldenburg/Thoroughbred gelding, Harrison (Pasolongo – Sybrite), who is owned by her mother, Megan Northrop. Their dreams of taking home the win were dashed when fence 3 rattled and fell, assessing four penalty points and one eventual time penalty to drop down into fifth overall.

For her part, Benefiel says she was surprised to have taken the win. “I certainly did not expect to win,” she smiled. “I really wanted to come into the weekend and just have a confidence building round in cross country and show jumping. Thankfully we were able to do that and come home with the win.”

Benefiel trains with CCI5* and World Championships rider Ariel Grald, both when Grald is in Florida for the winter as well as periodically through the summer in Southern Pines, NC. She also rides with Florida-based CCI4* rider Alexander O’Neal when Grald is away. “Ariel had some great advice and [the course today] ended up riding really well,” she said. “I was feeling really good [this morning]. Charlie is a really careful show jumper, and I knew that if I could do my job that she was going to do hers. She gets a little nervous about other horses in the warm-up, so I was hoping that I would have enough time to get her relaxed and soft in her body before we went out there, and we were able to do that.”

Free Union, VA-based Gabby Dickerson cleaned up the second and third spots on the leaderboard, riding Kristin Caskey’s Afrojack Z to second place on a score of 32.8 and her own Gortglas Lupin to third on a 33.9.

Kelley Claims CCI1*-L Victory

Lindsay Kelley and Fashionable Man. Photo by Sally Spickard.

It was a wire-to-wire win for Lindsay Kelley, who’s in some ways catch-riding this weekend for owner Paige Ramsey with the 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Fashionable Man (Charitable Man – So Francie). This pair finished their weekend clear on their dressage score of 27.8.

The CCI1*-L course also rode challenging, with just two pairs including Kelley jumping double clear. Second-placed John Michael Durr and Cindy Deporter’s Ana D produced the other double clear, also finishing on their dressage score of 29.6.

“I noticed that the course designer really did design a pretty tight track,” Kelley reflected. “It’s a tight ring, it’s a small ring, and on top of that he put in some tough combinations where there was really only one shot in that would work. So you had to get a close distance in [to the combinations] to be able to get out clear. And so I warmed this horse up in a very relaxed way. He is a Thoroughbred, so I find that Thoroughbreds get some confidence by going forward if the track allows it. This track did not – they wanted you to properly show jump this course, so I warmed him up in a very relaxed way, did not let him leave any strides out, tried to get him close in the warm-up to every fence in the warm-up so that’s what we could emulate in the ring. And he did just that – he was absolutely awesome, so rideable.”

Kelley said she was able to block out any pressure she might have felt as the last to go and the defending leader. “I really do try and block all of that out as far as my headspace goes and stay riding my own horse and staying with my own plan, trying not to get distracted,” she explained. “It’s easy to get distracted, knowing that you don’t have a rail in hand, but I tried to just focus on what I could do, which was give my horse a good ride.”

Sharon White accepts the Hyperion Stud Young Horse Award alongside VHC CEO Stephen Shank. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Hyperion Stud Honors Young Horse Development and Breeding Efforts

Hyperion Stud presented an award to the top-placed 6- or 7-year-old horse competing in the CCI*-Short divisions. This award was won by Anita Antenucci’s Arden Augustus (Jaguar Mail – Juneau, by Cevin Z), who is campaigned by Sharon White. This pair won the CCI2*-S division yesterday.

“I’m such a believer in breeding. I have tried it myself – it is not easy!” White said on accepting the award. “And to have a partnership with Anita, who is a very good friend – she’s probably the one person in the world who loves horses more than I do, which is saying something. She’s so passionate about it, and as a breeder you have to be passionate. It’s a labor of love, just like everything involved in the sport of eventing. Hyperion Stud – theirs is a labor of love, and they’ve had some huge success and I’m hoping Gus can follow in Chin Tonics’s footsteps! It’s just so satisfying to support U.S. breeding, breeding as a whole. It’s, again, it’s something you have to have a real passion about. It’s really nice that Gus has come along and it’s possible he could be a top level horse, and that’s a beautiful thing. I’m so appreciative of Anita, it’s a really fun thing to do together, and I’m so appreciative of Hyperion Stud.”

National Divisions Crown Champions

Alice Johnson and Cooley Romance, winners of the Starter division as well as the lowest finishing score of the weekend. Photo by Sally Spickard.

The remaining National divisions wrapped up on Sunday, crowning several new champions, Thoroughbred Incentive Program winners, Adult Team Challenge winners, and more.

Berkley Gardner held on to an overnight lead in the Modified Rider, taking the blue ribbon with Jenni Bickerstaff’s In Vogue on a score of 27.8.

Sharon White collected a second wire-to-wire win (she won the CCI2*-S in similar fashion yesterday with Arden Augustus) aboard her own Quizas in the Open Modified, adding no penalties to her dressage score of 23.5.

Madeline DeMeirsman moved up from fifth place after show jumping with her own Digby, collecting 2.8 time penalties but doing enough to finish in first place on a score of 38.7 in the Junior Training Rider.

Hayley Norfleet and Laura Considine’s Wall Street jumped a lovely show jumping round to finish off a start-to-finish win in their Open Training Division on a penalty mark of 29.2, adding no time or jumping penalties to their card.

Tiffany McDermott was another come from behind winner, moving up from third after cross country with a double clear show jumping effort aboard her own Makin’ Waves, ending the weekend on a score of 35.0.

Rachael Livermore held on to her lead in the Senior Training Rider A division, piloting Abigail Akres Accuraat Z to the victory on a score of 27.2, finishing on her dressage score.

Similarly, Penny Goddard rode Michelle Chisholm’s Fernhill On The Rocks to the Senior Training Rider B division win after winning the dressage, adding no further penalties to end on a score of 25.1.

Tim Bourke and Hedgerow Farm’s Ballyburn Blazer jumped a clear cross country inside the optimum time of 5 minutes, 20 seconds to secure a move up to win the Training Horse division on a score of 28.1.

Emerson Padgett retained the early lead earned after dressage with her own MSH Giant JacKa, adding no further penalties after taking a score of 24.2. She’d go on to win the Junior Novice Rider division.

Kendal Fansler and Hedgerow Farm’s Delilah’s Boy secured a start to finish victory in the Novice Horse division on a final score of 26.7.

Mia Farley and one of her newest exciting prospects, Pina Colada 28, moved up to the lead after show jumping on Saturday and held on to secure the win in the Open Novice division on a score of 27.8 thanks to a double clear cross country effort.

Phyllis Hardgrove and her own Cooley Castle also held on to a lead secured after show jumping, winning their Senior Novice division after cross country on a score of 30.3.

The Beginner Novice Horse division as won by Madeline Binder and her own Carrafarm Be Mine, ending their weekend with no penalties added to their dressage score of 31.5.

Maura O’Connor and Terry Morrow’s Will You Be Mine secured a wire-to-wire win in their Junior Beginner Novice division, ending the weekend on a score of 24.7.

Clare Brady and Kelly Follain’s Rhythm and Blues locked down the Open Beginner Novice division win on their dressage score of 29.1, adding no penalty marks to their dressage score throughout the weekend.

Kristyl Callison and her own After Eight finished also on their dressage score of 25.6, securing the start to finish win in the Senior Beginner Novice Rider A division.

Gina Keller and her own Snack Attach took home the blue in their Senior Beginner Novice Rider B division, ending their weekend on a score of 22.7.

Last but certainly not least, Alice Johnson and her own Cooley Romance took home the win and the lowest finishing score of the weekend, a 20.3, in the Starter division.

VHC Eventing (Lexington, VA) [Website] [Scores]

Statement from Bicton International Horse Trials

By on May 26, 2024 1:13 pm -

The following is a statement released by Bicton International Horse Trials.

“It is with deepest regret that we announce that Georgie Campbell (GBR) suffered a fatal accident whilst competing at the Bicton International Horse Trials in Devon, England on Sunday 26 May 2024. Medical professionals attended immediately following her fall at fence 5b however, unfortunately, she could not be saved.

The horse, Global Quest, was assessed by the on-site vets and walked back to the stable and is uninjured.

To respect the family’s privacy at this extremely difficult and sad time, no further details will be shared.”

Join the Excitement of Devon’s Arena Eventing

By on May 26, 2024 12:30 pm -

It’s that time of year again! Devon’s Arena Eventing is coming back at the Devon Horse Show, with another course designed by Captain Mark Phillips. Devon’s Arena Eventing class combines the thrill of cross country riding with the technicality of show jumping fences throughout the course, ensuring an exciting evening ahead!

Arena Eventing Night at Devon 2022

There is nothing quite like arena eventing in primetime at Devon. ✨

Posted by USEF Network on Monday, May 30, 2022

Last year, we saw Buck Davidson & Erroll Gobey win the class. We’re keeping a close eye out for this year’s entries, but are expecting some Eventing fan favorites take a spin in effort to claim victory in the $50,000 purse.

Boyd Martin & Contestor. Winners of the 2019 Devon Arena Eventing. Photo courtesy of The Book LLC.

If you want to follow the action, you can follow the action online here, or take a look into tickets, if you’ll be in the area.

We’re working on obtaining an entry list to preview, so stay tuned as we’ll update this article if and when we receive the list!

The event will happen this Sunday, May 26th, beginning at 7:00 p.m., with a course walk and horse acclimation beginning at 6:15 p.m.

From the Ground Up: Creating Opportunities

By on May 26, 2024 7:30 am -

Gillian Warner is bringing us along for the ride as she strikes out on her own to launch her business as a professional. You can catch up on more installments from this series here.

One of my favorite components of working with horses is the natural curiosity they bring to the table. Throughout the training process, I love to encourage that curiosity to ask new questions, address new challenges, and experience adventures that emerge, as allowing the horse to explore and think will only help them understand and learn.

Despite this feeling like such a critical quality in a horse, I feel like it was something I hadn’t allowed myself to develop personally in the same ways I encouraged for the horses. As my business continued to grow and develop, my schedule felt too tight for anything other than to get through the day – it certainly didn’t leave much time to explore, or even think much beyond the routine. Pretty quickly, I felt how limiting that was, and how much it was stunting my growth with the horses.

Thanks to my young thoroughbred, CC, who needed me to take that extra time with her, I started allowing myself to explore from her perspective – we looked at new jumps, poked around a new obstacle, or pawed at the tarp on the ground. Not only was it fun for both of us, but I also saw the confidence and growth that happened so quickly after taking just an extra moment to create the space to explore.

Carrying that lesson into my greater plan for the business has required constant commitment to that curiosity – it’s easy to fall back into the comfortable routine that keeps things “on track” and running. But it doesn’t allow for growth. I’ve been very intentional to create opportunities to develop my curiosity as a trainer, business owner, and horsewoman. For me, creating opportunities means working the schedule to allow for a day trip for a clinic with clients. It means applying to certificate programs to develop my understanding of animal behavior. It means connecting with Pony Clubs around the country to expand my network, and it means traveling while doing what I love.

Each time I’ve set out to create an opportunity like these, they’ve fueled me to become increasingly creative and curious. Clinics have expanded my mind and shown me new ideas and approaches that have helped the clients and horses with which I work. Traveling and learning from horsemen and horsewomen around the world have shown me diversity in practices, which I have been able to combine and explore. Reading a new book, or sharing a conversation with a new connection opens my mind to how experiences shape each of us, and helps me understand and appreciate my own journey as well.

It’s not always easy to break out of the daily routine to allow myself to explore this curiosity and these opportunities. It forces me to push beyond the perfectly scheduled day, or the weekly plan I had outlined, which has felt a little uncomfortable. It has created uncertainty as to what every day will look like, which has been something I’ve always appreciated – and quite honestly needed – before. But despite all this, that uncertainty fueled more creativity and curiosity as to how I could fill that space.

In thinking how I can commit to creating curiosity and opportunities as I continue in the development of my business reminded me of the intention I set early on in the establishment of Warner Equine. As I expressed in a previous article, my goal was to start the process, but understand that it was ok (and even good) to remain incomplete.

Committing to the continuation of the creation of opportunities will ensure that I remain incomplete, always open to evolving and growing. I’ll lean into my natural curiosity, as I encourage my horses to do, in order to develop throughout of lifetime of work, learning, and exploration. While it’ll often feel uncomfortable, the growth, fuel, and curiosity for more will keep me going.

Sunday Links from EcoVet

By on May 26, 2024 12:49 am -

Sharon White was recently reunited with former 5* partner Cooley On Show, who took to the Training track at VHC Eventing with longtime groom Rachael Livermore. Such a special moment for “Louie” and fam — we love seeing our old upper-level favorites still going strong in their schoolmaster eras.

U.S. Weekend Action

Flora Lea Spring H.T. (Medford, NJ) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Spring Coconino Horse Trials (Flagstaff, AZ)[Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

USEA MDHT YEH/NEH Qualifier (Adamstown, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Virginia Horse Center Eventing (Lexington, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Willow Draw Charity Show (Weatherford, TX) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Woodside Spring H.T. (Woodside, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

UK International Events

Bicton Arena International (1) (Devon) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

European Events

Equestrian Festival Baborówko (Poland) [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Scoring] [Live Stream – CMH]

Links to Start Your Sunday:

Just Three Months Until the Start of the 20th Anniversary USEA American Eventing Championships

Rolex Introduces a New Series, Because Reasons

Get A Good Gallop: Perfecting Your Fitness and Form

Why Do Electrolytes Encourage Horses to Drink?

Sponsor Corner: Meet another Ecovet ambassador, Lila Gendal! 3* eventer Lila puts Ecovet to the test against the persistent bugs that thrive in the Florida heat. Check out what she has to say about Ecovet on [our website.]

Morning Viewing: This pony named Mouse barely has legs, and I’m barely holding it together.

Smiles and Sunshine on Saturday at VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square

By on May 25, 2024 9:22 pm -

A visit to Virginia Horse Center is a worthwhile experience, even if you aren’t a “horse person”. Operating with the aptly-chosen tagline “Eventing with a View”, the venue offers picturesque vistas and rolling hills in addition to top-flight equestrian competition. A gorgeous Saturday that began with some traditional hillside fog unveiled the views for a full day of cross country, show jumping, and dressage competition.

Beshear Comes from Behind to Win CCI3*-S

Emily Beshear and Rio de Janeiro. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Emily Beshear, whose Deep Purple Eventing is located not far from the Virginia Horse Center, steadily climbed up the leaderboard in the CCI3*-S division, piloting Rio de Janeiro (River Dancer – Vanilla Ice), who is owned with her son, Nicholas Beshear, to the eventual victory on a finishing score of 37.6.

After starting the weekend in fifth place, Beshear and the 15-year-old Holsteiner/Thoroughbred gelding moved into second following show jumping on Friday. Initial leaders Ariel Grald and Adagio’s Nobility were assessed 20 jumping penalties on cross country this morning, opening the door for a new leader. While no pairs completed Jay Hambly’s cross country course within the optimum time of 6 minutes, 25 seconds, Beshear’s 8.4 time penalties kept her ahead of second-placed Hannah Sue Hollberg and Carsonstown.

“The horse is very efficient,” Beshear said as she described her cross country round. “He doesn’t have a big stride, but he’s got all the heart in the world and he’s very genuine, so I wanted to just let him go out, pick his pace and gallop around and be as efficient as I could around the turns. He’s pretty easy to turn and balance, and he did exactly what he was supposed to.”

“I liked all the improvements they’ve made out there, they’ve done a beautiful job working on opening it up,” Beshear said of the always-evolving cross country, designed here at VHC Eventing by Jay Hambly on the Oak Hill side and by Jon Wells on the VHC side. “The course rode really well! Originally, I was thinking of going to Bromont. The horse is older and I needed to get my three-star qualification. I did decide afterwards not to push him for Bromont and to wait for later in the year, but this was a no-brainer to come here and get a nice, good run in. And I think they’ve done a great job with improving that side, so I enjoyed it!”

“I’ve known the horse for a really long time,” Beshear said of the partnership she’s enjoyed with Rio de Janeiro. “He was actually bred and brought along by a young rider from Michigan that I helped. When she went off to college, I got to take over the ride and we purchased him. And then shortly thereafter I ended up injuring my knee, so I was out for a year and Nicholas took over the reins. He got the horse a bit of three-star mileage and did really well with him but then graciously gave me the ride back. So he’s become the honorary owner so we can keep the partnership going.”

Beshear says she plans to aim for some Advanced competition and perhaps a CCI4*-S to round out the year, using this for re-qualification as well as fine-tuning for a step back up to the next level.

A Tie for First in the CCI2*-L

Tate Northrop and Harrison. Photo by Sally Spickard.

We’ve got a tie for the lead going into the final phase of competition in the CCI2*-L division, which now sees initial leaders Tate Northrop and Harrison tied with Ashton Benefiel and Libris Charlotte on matching scores of 32.7 after cross country today. Dressage winner Northrop added four seconds of time and 1.6 time penalties to her dressage score, while Benefiel secured a clear round inside the optimum time of 7 minutes, 5 seconds.

“My cross country was very good today,” Northrop said. “We had a little bit of time, but he was amazing. The course rode so well, it was so beautiful out there. It’s very hilly, which he’s not used to. We’ve been running in Aiken and North Carolina, so it was a little bit of a change for him and the hills kind of got to him, but he was so good through everything.”

“I’ve never done this before: so I loved the back water,” Northrop continued. “We jumped in and then we did two angled houses out in a two-stride, and that was really fun. He did that so well. It was a really nice design. They’ve made so many improvements since I’ve been here last. The cross country was amazing. They got more of the trees down, you can see everything from up on the hill – it’s beautiful.”

Going into show jumping on a tie is, of course, a bit nerve-inducing, but Northrop is taking the pressure in stride and trusting in the partnership she has built with “Harry”.

“I’m of course a little nervous [about show jumping,” she smiled. “He’s a good partner to have in the show jumping. We’ve had some good runs at the Preliminary and two-star level. Intermediate, we’re still new so we’ve had some down at that level, but I’m hoping he can get out there and muster some energy from today! So we’ll see.”

Ashton Benefiel and Libris Charlotte. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Moving from initial fourth place into the tie for the lead, Ashton Benefiel says she knows there is more in the tank for better dressage marks in the future. She initially scored a 32.7 from dressage judges Sara Miller Leary and Robert Stevenson.

“Charlie was great for her dressage,” she elaborated. “We had a few tense moments, I think just the atmosphere was a little new for her and we’ve never been here before so we had a couple moments in the test that weren’t our best, but overall she was really great. I was really, really happy with her dressage.”

Heading into cross country, Benefiel knew she would need to do her homework ahead of time, as she bases full-time in Florida, which does not feature the amount of terrain found here at VHC Eventing at her home events.

“This is our first two-star Long and we’re from Florida so we’re really not used to the terrain,” Benefiel said. “So I was a little bit nervous going into today just wondering how she was going to handle it. But I was so happy with her. She handled all the questions really well and loved galloping up the hills and still had a lot of gas left in the tank, so I’m excited for tomorrow. I was really impressed with her fitness and what she had left.”

Benefiel and “Charlie” started their partnership with the mare was a four-year-old, sourced from England by Mike and Emma Winter. Initially on import, the mare had a false positive for a disease that would end up not allowing her into the country, so she was sent back to England. At that point, Benefiel thought she wouldn’t see the mare again, but on her birthday her parents surprised her with a very special package: Libris Charlotte, returned to the U.S. without incident and ready to begin a partnership with her new rider. Benefiel had competed through the Intermediate level with her previous horse, but it’s been several years since and she’s thrilled to be back moving up the levels with a very special horse.

White Goes Wire-to-Wire in CCI2*-S

Sharon White and Arden Augustus. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Sharon White secured a wire-to-wire victory in the CCI2*-S with Anita Antenucci’s Arden Augustus, adding no penalties to her initial dressage score of 29.0 to finish over 10 points in the lead at the end of today’s cross country.

“I’m so pleased with him,” White said after her round. “He tried really hard and it’s very hilly here, and I think that’s a really good education for them. He’s a very game cross country horse, but he’s been a little spooky at the coffins, so there’s a beautiful coffin here that is challenging enough, so I really rode him there. And he was like ‘what are you – what is wrong with you up there? I’m fine! No worries!’ So good job, buddy. [The course had] good water jumps, a good coffin, good corner questions and great terrain, so a really good education for him in his career. I’m really thrilled and really thrilled for Anita, she’s a really good friend, so it’s really fun for us. It goes wrong a lot, but when it goes right it’s really nice!”

White plans to keep “Gus” at this level for the rest of this year, looking to the future and focusing on strength development and education. “He’s a very big horse, so I need to be slightly careful and a little patient. There’s no rush. He certainly doesn’t need to be going Intermediate this year, so there’s absolutely no hurry. It’s a good year of education and strength development.”

White and Arden Augustus also took home a special award for young horses sponsored by Hyperion Stud, awarded to the highest-placed 6- or 7-year-old horse in the FEI Short divisions.

Kelley Keeps the Lead in CCI1*-L

Lindsay Kelley and Fashionable Man. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Lindsay Kelley and the off-track Thoroughbred Fashionable Man maintained their lead after two phases, finishing today’s cross country clear inside the optimum time of 5 minutes, 22 seconds to finish today on a score of 27.8.

Kelley has been keeping the 11-year-old gelding tuned up for owner Paige Ramsey, who’s currently preparing for Young Rider Championships with her CCI2* horse, MTF Cooley Classic (with whom she finished second in the CCI2*-S today). It’s a treat for Kelley, who generally spends her time producing horses up the levels. “Thumper” has experience through the CCI2* level himself, and Kelley knew this CCI1*-L track would be a great tune-up and an opportunity for herself to have a bit of fun.

“Cross country was totally awesome,” Kelley said. “In all honesty, the horse didn’t put a foot wrong. He does have experience and I’m really just keeping him tuned up for Paige and it is a pleasure to ride him. You get to go out there and sort of ‘equitate’ around because he knows what he’s doing for sure. Hopefully we can tie it all together with a bow and have him jump around clear tomorrow. Really, I’m usually out there riding horses that I’m making up so it’s quite a pleasure to sit on one that knows what he’s doing!”

First National Division Winners Crowned

Brooke Burchianti and Cooley Space Grey. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Several National division winners were crowned today following cross country.

Following the planned withdrawal of both of Will Coleman’s leading ride, Diabolo, the victor’s spot in the Advanced/Intermediate was open. Moving up to secure the win are Brooke Burchianti with Karen Burchianti’s Cooley Space Grey, who were the sole pair to catch the optimum time of 6 minutes, 22 seconds. This pair finished on a score of 41.8, moving up from sixth after show jumping.

Sydney Hagaman and Charmeur were another pair to hold the lead from start to finish, winning the blue ribbon in the Open Intermediate division on a score of 25.8, adding just two time penalties on cross country today to their initial dressage score.

Kerra Johnson and Fly High Quality moved steadily up the rankings in the Open Preliminary after beginning the weekend in sixth position, finishing first on a final score of 32.8, also with two time penalties added on cross country.

Catherine Kelly and Cooley Meridian were the eventual winners of the Preliminary Rider division, starting the weekend in 12th after dressage and climbing their way up to secure the victory on a score of 37.3, adding just 3.6 time penalties to their dressage score.

The Starter through Modified divisions will wrap up competition on Sunday, with some divisions running cross country and others show jumping tomorrow.

Current Division Leaders:

Open Modified: Sharon White and Quizas (23.5)
Modified Rider: Berkley Gardner and In Vogue (27.8)
Junior Training Rider: Marin Swyers and Fernhill Mac an Bata (32.3)
Open Training A: Hayley Norfleet and Wall Street (29.2)
Open Training B: Austin Skeens and HSH Bangarang (34.6)
Senior Training Rider A: Rachael Livermore and Accuraat Z (27.2)
Senior Training Rider B: Penny Goddard and Fernhill On the Rocks (21.9)
Training Horse: Will Coleman and Honest Man (26.9)
Junior Novice Rider: Emerson Padgett and MSH Giant JacKa (24.2)
Novice Horse: Kendal Fansler and Delilah’s Boy (26.7)
Open Novice: Mia Farley and Pina Colada 28 (27.8)
Senior Novice Rider: Phyllis Hardgrove and Cooley Castle (27.5)
Beginner Novice Horse: Madeline Binder and Carrafarm Be Mine (31.5)
Junior Beginner Novice Rider: Maura O’Connor and Will You Be Mine (24.7)
Open Beginner Novice: Clare Brady and Rhythm and Blues (29.1)
Senior Beginner Novice Rider A: Kristyl Callison and After Eight (25.6)
Senior Beginner Novice Rider B: Gina Keller and Snack Attack (22.7)
Starter: Alice Johnson and Cooley Romance (20.3)

Virginia Horse Center Eventing (Lexington, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Tight Margins at the Top Leave it All to Play for Sunday at Bicton International

By on May 25, 2024 6:00 pm -

Yasmin Ingham and Gypsie du Loir. Bicton Arena press photo.

Everyone enjoyed the sunny start to the day in Devon for the jumping phases at Bicton International Horse Trials. Three classes took to the cross country course while the showjumping got underway in the main arena for the TopSpec CCI4*-S.

The finest of margins separate first and second place in the Symonds & Sampson CCI3*-L with Gemma Stevens picking up 0.4 time penalties meaning that as Friday’s overnight leader, she slips down to second place. Yasmin Ingham and Gypsie Du Loir take the lead to head into the final day of competition tomorrow for the showjumping. This 8-year-old mare is owned by The Sue Davies Fund, so named after the sad passing of part-owner of several of Yas’ horses, Sue Davies in 2023. Janette Chinn, Sue’s daughter, also part owns the mare who started her eventing career with the Cheshire based former World Champion in 2022. Yas is no stranger to success with a ‘Du Loir’ horse from breeder Pierre Gouyé, her World Championship horse being Banzai Du Loir.

Anna Price and Keep Happy. Bicton Arena press photo.

Next to go cross country around the Helen West designed course were the Western Counties Equine Hospital CCI3*YR-L competitors. Leader after Thursday’s dressage, Anna Price and Keep Happy regained their lead from Ivy Fisher and Global Promise who picked up 15 penalties on the course. Hot on Anna’s heels are Joshua Levett and This Ones On You, followed by Isabelle Cook and Mexican Law. Bedfordshire based Anna and 9-year-old Pepsi, as the mare is known at home, stepped up to three-star level earlier this month with a top ten finish at Osberton.

Tom McEwen and Shannondale Arnold. Bicton Arena press photo.

The CCI2*-L class is sponsored by Mitchell & Webber, proud promoters of renewable liquid fuels to replace conventional fossil fuels across the South West, “We are delighted to be supporting Bicton as we have shared values in equestrian sports with social and environmental commitments,” said Robert Weedon from Mitchell & Webber. This class was the last to take on the cross country today, where the top 30 all went clear within the time, the course proving to be a great experience for these younger horses. As a result, the top of the leader board remained unchanged with Tom McEwen and Shannondale Arnold holding onto the lead with 26.5 ahead of Laura Collett on Balancero in second on 26.7 and Ros Canter on Silvesters Finesse in third on 26.8. Tightly bunched together at the top, it will be all to play for tomorrow, with none of the top three able to have even one pole down in order to maintain their position.

Laura Collett and London 52. Bicton Arena press photo.

Meanwhile, the TopSpec CCI4*-S showjumping phase was in full swing in the Western Counties main arena. The top eight go into the final day of competition on their dressage score, having all gone clear within the time. The top two remain unchanged from yesterday with Laura Collett and London 52 still on track for their campaign for another win having taken the title last year. Laura has partnered Dan, as he is known at home, to success on the biggest of stages including 5* wins at Luhmühlen in 2023, Badminton in 2022 and Pau in 2020, plus a top 10 finish at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.

Tomorrow promises to be a final day full of thrilling eventing action as well as a packed schedule of demos, great shopping and fantastic food and drink.

Bicton Arena International (1) (Devon) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]