Classic Eventing Nation

Boyd Martin Wins Virginia CIC2*, Sharon White Leads USEF CCI* Championship

By on Nov 4, 2018 9:01 am -

Boyd Martin and Kyra. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

It was a good day at the office for Boyd Martin at the Virginia CCI/CIC & Horse Trials as he went went one-two in the CCI2*, while also winning the CIC2*.

Boyd stalked the top of the leaderboard after dressage, and after two masterful performances he sits first and second in the CCI2*. Division leader Barry, a 9-year-old Thoroughbred owned by Martin and Windurra USA, added 9.6 time penalties to sit on a score of 37.5. Second-placed Contestor, an 11-year-old KWPN owned by Denise Lahey, was a bit speedier with 8.8 time penalties for a day two score of 39.7.

“Barry is a legend. A year ago he was all over the shop. I had experts tapping me on the shoulder telling me it’s time for him to move on, but I knew he was just green and inexperienced,” he said. “[Today] he galloped strong all the way around and pulled up fresh. I think he’s in good shape to jump tomorrow.”

After a soggy rain, competitors battled muddy conditions which made the notorious Virginia Horse Trials terrain even trickier.

“Hats off to the course designer. Initially when I walked the track I thought he made it too soft. When I rode it I got a sudden change in mind. It rode a lot tougher than it walked,” Boyd said. “The direction of the track was much better going starting at the base of the hill and working your way up the mountain. It was a test of endurance and stamina and the rider that could pace their horse. It made the cross country phase more important than in past years. Especially for CCIs, it shouldn’t be a dressage show.”

Boyd also had the fastest round of the day with Christine Turner’s Kyra in the CIC2*, which secured him the win of the division. The 11-year-old Canadian Warmblood had 1.6 time penalties for a final result of 33.4.

“She’s a feisty red-head mare. It’s been up and down all year for her so it’s rewarding to finish the year well,” he said. “She’s a fantastic show jumper and cross country is her tougher point, so we’ve been schooling a lot. The rain overnight made the course challenging and to Kyra’s credit, she went out and fought hard all the way around.”

Allison Springer sits third in the CCI2* with Sapphire Blue B. The pair had 11.6 time penalties for a score of 40.9. Skeyler Voss and Argyle are third with 42 points after 9.2 time penalties, and Dasha Ivandaeva and DB Cooper are fifth on 42.6.

Sharon White and Masterel. Photo by Brant Gamma Photography.

John Michael Durr’s cross country course dissolved the three-way tie of the USEF CCI1* Eventing National Championship, and Sharon White emerged as the new leader with her and Denis Glaccum’s Masterel.

Sharon and the 9-year-old Italian Thoroughbred were fifth in the CCI1*-A group overnight and took over the one-star championship after a double clear cross country, which Sharon said felt easy for the leggy Thoroughbred. They remain on their dressage score of 28.8.

“This is the first time I have ever let him run because I basically have had 30 time penalties everywhere I’ve taken him,” she said. “He is a real racehorse, and I have spent all of this time just trying to help him relax and really be with me. He is an unbelievable horse. So it was really satisfying today to see if I could let him go and it was wonderful.”

Colleen Rutledge is currently second in the championship, which is awarded to the highest placed U.S. rider who is 22 or older, with C Me Fly. The 6-year-old Westphalian holds a score of 30.3.

Overnight leaders of CCI*-A, Ryan Wood and Ruby stayed in the top spot after cross country. Riding for Australia, Ryan isn’t eligible for the USEF championship, but he and the Summit Sporthorses’ 9-year-old Oldenburg had a fantastic 2.8 time penalties on cross country for a two-phase score of 25.4.

Kelsey Ann Quinn and Dandy Longlegs. Photo by Brant Gamma Photography.

Kelsey Ann Quinn also kept her lead of both the USEF CCI1*-JR/YR Eventing National Championship and the CCI*-B division with Dandy Longlegs, a 12-year-old Thoroughbred owned by Julie Quinn. 5.2 cross country time penalties gives them a current score of 32.9.

The show jumping finale gets underway this morning. You can follow the live scoring at this link.

[Sharon White Pulls Ahead After Cross-Country in the USEF CCI1* Eventing National Championship; Kelsey Ann Quinn Maintains the Lead in the USEF CCI1*-JR/YR Eventing National Championship]

[A Banner Day for Boyd Martin at Virginia CCI/CIC & Horse Trials]

 

 

Sunday Links Presented by One K Helmets

By on Nov 4, 2018 12:01 am -

Grooms are such an absolutely integral part of our sport, and the Liz Cochrane Memorial Award is one small recognition of their huge efforts. Help support this award by taking part in a jumper show at Mardanza Farm in Ocala, or you can donate at this link. Thanks to the many super grooms that keep eventing running!

National Holiday: National Candy Day

U.S. Weekend Action:

Virginia CCI, CIC, & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Rocking Horse Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Full Gallop Farm November H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Galway Downs CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Sunday Links: 

‘He was a glass half-full kind of guy’: eventer says sad farewell to four-star horse

Champions galore — the next generation of jockeys lines up at Olympia

There is More Than One Way: Thinking Outside of the Box to Finance Your Eventing Dreams

USEA Rule Refresher: Rule Changes Effective December 1, 2018

New independent testing lab for drug testing US sport horses

Sunday Video:

Lauren Kieffer Wins Night One of Horseware Indoor Eventing Challenge at The Royal

By on Nov 3, 2018 2:30 pm -

Lauren Kieffer and Glendening Avis. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

Lauren Kieffer, the Olympic rider from the United States, is in the lead of the $20,000 Horseware Indoor Eventing Challenge at Toronto, Canada’s Royal Horse Show. Riding the buckskin Canadian Sport Horse mare, Glendening Avis, loaned to Kieffer for the two day competition by Callie Evans. Kieffer rode a careful round taking the longer routes to go clear with the fastest time of the night. Giving all credit to the mare and Evans’ careful training, Kieffer, who only sat on the horse for the first time at 5:00 a.m. that morning, modestly claimed that she, “just went along for the ride.”

The words ‘Indoor’ and ‘Eventing’ do not usually appear together, but once a year for two consecutive nights, The Royal Horse Show produces an exciting and thrilling exhibition of top calibre riders and horses challenging each other over a mix of cross country fences and show jumping rails. Spectators are on the edges of their seats as the talented riders steer their brave horses at a speedy pace over the type of solid cross country tables, banks and brush fences usually seen only at outdoor events as well as delicately poised show jump rails that may be almost blown off their cups by the sheer speed of the horses as they jump over them.

This year’s $20,000 Horseware Indoor Eventing Challenge has a distinguished line-up of Olympians from both sides of the border who have recently competed at the World Equestrian Games as well as several other Canadian Equestrian athletes keen to prove their mettle over the course designed by Captain Mark Phillips.  The confines of the indoor arena space makes for some tight lines to fences, and as Kieffer claims the course, “rides a bit like a washing machine.”

The crowd is always thrilled by the solid imposing fences and the bank jump, but perhaps the biggest challenges are the show jump rails which can catch out even the best of riders.  The final fence on course, a wide spread with show jump poles painted the colours of Ireland, home to Horseware, the event’s sponsor, proved to be the nemesis for several partnerships.

Lindsay Beer was first into the arena riding El Paso, a chestnut Trakehner gelding owned by her Mother, Penny Beer. El Paso and Beer, as the pathfinders on the night, had a successful round until the very last fence where they had a rail down to the groans of the crowd.

Diana Burnett riding her own horse Manny, an elegant bay thoroughbred, were unfortunately eliminated when they went off course.  They will be looking for redemption tonight in the second round.

Selena OHanlon and Unique. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

The audience was on the edge of their seats with excitement when Selena O’Hanlon galloped into the ring riding Unique, a Paint mare loaned to her for The Royal by Sondra Blair-Bevridge. O’Hanlon was named Canada’s Equestrian of the year in 2017 and has had a busy, successful year riding at Badminton in England, winning the Bromont Horse Trials in August and competing at the World Equestrian Games in September. Unique and O’Hanlon, having had very little time to get acquainted before the show, will also be looking for redemption tonight as they had a couple of run outs on the course.

Next into the ring, Karl Slezak put in a well ridden round on Fernhill Choco Royale, owned by Katlyn Hewson-Slezak, cutting a few corners to cut time and pouring on the speed but again the final rail of the course came down despite the strong efforts of the dark bay Irish Sport Horse.

Colleen Loach, a member of Canada’s Pan American, Olympic and World Equestrian Games teams, charged into the ring riding Serendipity, Brooke Massie’s  bay Thoroughbred mare. Loach burned up the arena, turning up the speed, jumping several fences at an angle and looked like having a clear round until the rail at the very last fence fell again.

Riding into the ring next was Lisa Marie Fergusson on Honor Me, a chestnut Welsh Sport Horse owned by Fergusson herself. Fergusson, another member of Canada’s World Equestrian Games squad who rode in her first event at the age of 12, had a speedy round giving the crowd a shiver when Honor Me almost had a tip up at the bank.  Her clear round was marred by that pesky last fence as they dropped a rail at the oxer.

Brandon McMechan and Oscars Wild. Photo by Ben Radvanyi.

Brandon McMechan, an amateur rider competing very successfully at the Advanced level of Eventing, was next in the ring with his own bay thoroughbred gelding Oscar’s Wild. McMechan was going for the win as he and Oscar navigated the course, not appearing to speed but taking the smart routes and corners. The last fence stayed up to give McMechan and Oscar the lead momentarily until the next pair, night one leaders Lauren Kieffer and Glendening Avis.

Owned and ridden by Holly Jacks Smither, Candy King was the next horse in the ring. Riding for breast cancer awareness in honour of her friend Amanda Davidson, Jacks Smither braided her bay mare with pink braids and the horse wore a fly bonnet with a pink ribbon printed on it.  Candy King was both speedy and careful but again had the unfortunate last rail on the course.

Kendal Lehari and Totally Frank. Photo by Ben Radvanyi.

The final horse on course was Totally Frank, a bay Thoroughbred gelding owned and ridden by Kendal Lehari who began her eventing career at the age of eleven and has ridden in the Indoor Eventing class at The Royal since it’s inception.  Lehari rode an exciting course making tight turns on her big horse and taking many fences at an angle but taking a slightly longer route to the bank cost her time despite a clear performance with no rails down.

Talking to the riders about why they enjoy Indoor Eventing, they all talked about the adrenaline rush of the ride, the camaraderie of the group of riders at the event and, for those coming from the local area, the fun of having family, friends and supporters come out to cheer them on.  

The Royal Horse Show, now it its 96th year as part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, is a huge tradition for Canadian horse enthusiasts.Everyone is looking forward to another great night of Indoor Eventing tonight. Stay tuned for the wrap up tomorrow!

Best of HN: Where Are They Now? 5 Breeders’ Cup Graduates

By on Nov 3, 2018 12:00 pm -

The Breeders’ Cup is the crown jewel for North American racing (with increasing participation from Europe as well). Many owners, trainers, breeders and jockeys dream of their horses capturing the elusive title of Breeders’ Cup Champion, and every year another crop of potential stars enters the starting gate hoping to get their piece of the glory.

Champion or not, however, the Breeders’ Cup graduates are all in need of a second career when their racing days are over: some go on to be breeding horses, but plenty of others find their second career in the show ring and beyond. We caught up with five former Breeders’ Cup runners to get the scoop on their post-racing careers!

Theory
2014 gelding by Gemologist
Bred by Fred W. Hertrich III and Ronald K. Kirk
Formerly owned by WinStar Farm LLC, China Horse Club International Ltd., SF Racing LLC, Head of Plains Partners LLC
Formerly trained by Todd Pletcher
Breeders’ Cup history: 10th in the 2016 Juvenile

Theory won his maiden start at Saratoga and followed up that victory with another in the Grade 3 Futurity Stakes at Belmont. He finished tenth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile behind winner Classic Empire. He never saw the top three again on the track, and after one start early in 2018, his connections made the decision to retire him and seek a second career. Restarted by Carleigh Fedorka as agent for Carolyn Walsh, Theory caught the eye of Clare Walker of Walnut Farm in Kansas.

Theory and Carleigh Fedorka. Photo by JJ Sillman

Walker purchased Theory in July. “We are currently working on instilling good solid dressage basics and relaxing in this phase,” describes Walker. “He is a forward thinking and smart horse but is naturally a bit of a worrier so I’m mindful not to rush him. He is brave and clever about the jumps, but I have focused more on pole work to make sure he gets the footwork basics he needs along with the rideability on the flat.”

As an upper-level eventer herself, Walker allows herself to dream about long-term goals: “Well, we’d all like another upper level horse, wouldn’t we? I have run horses through 2*, so it would be super if he was the one that went on to surpass that, but who knows, really?”

“Theory is a very sweet horse, has some wisdom for his age and is quite affectionate. However, his favorite thing in the whole world is to eat and he gets quite excited at meals times. He had tieback surgery as a two year old so he doesn’t really have a voice, but if he did he would shout at me for his breakfast!”

Theory and Clare Walker. Photo courtesy of Clare Walker

Radiohead
2007 gelding by Johannesburg
Bred by Redmyre Bloodstock and S. Hillen
Formerly owned by Antonacci Racing and Gerald Antonacci
Formerly trained by Danny Gargan
Breeders’ Cup history: seventh in the 2009 Juvenile

Bred in Great Britain, Radiohead showed early promise as a juvenile, winning the Grade 2 Norfolk Stakes at Ascot and placing in several other Grade 1 and 2 stakes in England. He placed seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, which was won that year by Vale of York. After his Breeders’ Cup attempt, Radiohead stayed in the States and never quite captured his early potential. Moving down the ranks of racing through the later years of his career, Radiohead retired from the track and was placed through ReRun Thoroughbred Adoption with Tristan Francar in February of 2015.

Originally, Francar intended to show Radiohead at the 2015 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover in dressage but closer to the deadline felt that the horse was not mentally ready and made the horseman’s decision to scratch. Since then, Radiohead’s training has progressed through Francar’s individualized program; he has schooled work through second level. A few physical setbacks forced some time off, but he’s been cleared to work again and Francar is slowly rebuilding his fitness, with the goal to return to the show ring in the spring.

Photo by Shaana Risley

Cary Street
2009 gelding by Smarty Jones
Bred by Darley
Formerly owned by JBL Thoroughbreds LLC and Walsh Racing LLC
Formerly trained by Brendan Walsh
Breeders’ Cup history: winner of the 2014 Las Vegas Marathon, the first year it was dropped from the Breeders’ Cup card

While from 2014 onwards the Marathon was dropped from the Breeders’ Cup card, the graded stakes is still considered by many to be an “unofficial” Breeders’ Cup race — and Cary Street was the first post-Breeders’ Cup winner. Winner of multiple graded stakes, Cary Street was considered the horse that helped launch Brendan Walsh’s training career, and when the horse incurred a minor injury to his suspensory ligament in 2016, Walsh sought a great home.

Photo by Marissa Miller

Enter Steph Butler, an associate veterinarian at the time at a racetrack practice in Lexington, horseless and preparing to start shopping. “One of my friends who at the time was an exercise rider for Brendan with his string stabled at Keeneland for the summer found out that he was looking to find Cary a home since he needed a job. I brought Cary home in the summer of 2016 after talking with a lot of people who worked for Brendan, and what really struck me was how much everyone loved the horse.”

Butler took the rest of 2016 to rehab the ligament injury and let down Cary from racing life; Butler carefully and slowly strengthened the injured ligament and Cary has no limitations now. Over the following summer, Butler introduced jumping, and she and Cary Street competed at the 2017 Thoroughbred Makeover to great success, finishing fifth place and top amateur trainer in competitive trail and 11th in the field hunters (tied for tenth, dropped to 11th in the tie-breaker).

Post-Makeover, Butler and Cary won a Masterson Station hunter pace with a friend, and competed at some schooling shows over the winter. Cary also enjoys trail riding in both English and western tack. Butler hopes to take him to some recognized events in 2019.

Not only is the horse versatile and athletic in all of his careers, he’s just fun have in the barn. As described by Butler: “Cary, in a nutshell, is a 9-year-old-yearling. He is the barn clown, the obnoxious little brother in the pasture who loves to pester the other geldings to play with him (even though he’s 17 hands) and has a huge, goofy personality and is such a fun horse to be around.”

Photo by Steph Butler

Mr. Commons
2008 gelding by Artie Schiller
Bred by St. George Farm LLC
Owned St. George Farm Racing LLC (Banwell)
Formerly trained by John Shirreffs
Breeders’ Cup history: fifth in both the 2011 and 2012 Breeders’ Cup Mile

Mr. Commons is still owned by his breeders, the Banwell family of St. George Farm. They raced him to earnings of over $900,000 in a career that spanned six years and 29 starts, including two graded stakes wins. Mr. Commons ran eighth in the 2011 Preakness Stakes, plus finishing fifth two years in a row in the 2011 and 2012 Breeders’ Cup Mile on the turf.

“The Banwells opted to see what Mr. Commons could do in a second career,” shares trainer Emily Brollier Curtis. “They reached out to me to see if I would work with him as a dressage horse. Mr. Commons and I have competed through first level so far, most recently attending regional championships. He is schooling all of the third level and should be showing third next season.”

Brollier Curtis believes that Mr. Commons can be a Thoroughbred stereotype-breaker: “I hope to get him to the FEI levels and really see what an OTTB can do in that setting. He is a very sensitive horse, very particular. He likes what he likes and tells you what he doesn’t like. He is super fun to train because he is quick off the leg and hot to the aids. A very ambitious horse!”

Photo courtesy of Emily Brollier Curits/Wendy Wooley

Romp (ARG)
2004 gelding by Incurable Optimist
Bred by John T. Behrendt
Formerly owned by Sisters in Racing Stable and Jeff Siskin
Formerly trained by Kristin Mulhall
Breeders’ Cup history: ninth in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Marathon, eighth in the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Marathon

Romp accomplished a long racing career with his last start in 2013 at the Jockey Club age of nine. He didn’t break his maiden until well until his three-year-old year, but seemed to get better with age with his first graded stakes placing as a six-year-old. With 55 career starts, Romp was well into warhorse status when he retired through New Vocations, where Leah Alessandroni became his next owner.

Romp showed talent over fences and enjoyed a brief stint as a show horse, but truly enjoys the quieter retired life, getting to simply be a horse out in the pasture!

Photo by Courtney Calnan

Go Breeders’ Cup. And go riding.

Jess Hargrave Heads Up Galway Downs CCI2*

By on Nov 3, 2018 10:30 am -

Jess Hargrave and Regenmann at Galway Downs in 2017. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Jess Hargrave is all smiles after a division leading dressage test in the CCI2* with Regenmann, a horse who she once dismissed as, “too spooky to be a pure dressage horse.” The pair pulled off a 27.1 to top the 10-entry class.

“He just keeps getting better and better and I’m continuously so blessed, so thankful, and so beyond grateful for this ride,” Jess said of the 11-year-old Trakehner.

The division performed for judges Mark Weissbecker and Bea di Grazia Thursday, which gave Jess an extra day to assess the cross country challenge, which is designed by Jay Hambley and Bert Wood. “It’s big!” she said. ““With a lot of combinations early on. So, this is not going to be a dressage competition!”

Madison Temkin and her own Dr. Hart are second on a 32.70 — a personal best for this pair. “It’s the most rideable he’s ever been,” she said. “He’s really coming into his own and maturing,” she said.

Great Britain’s James Alliston sits third with a 34.6 with with the pocket-sized Pandora. “She can be a bit buzzy, but she can do it all, it’s just a matter of having her relaxed. She’s small but she has a big jump and lots of talent,” he said.

Charlotte Babbitt and 2 A.M. Photo by Kim F Miller.

Megan Noelle Skyes and Charlotte Babbit share the spotlight in the CCI* after identical dressage scores of 25 with their horses Classic’s Mojah and 2 A.M., respectively.

Megan and “Mo” look for a second one-star victory this weekend after they topped the competitive CCI* at Rebecca Farm this summer. The 9-year-old Oldenburg glided easily in the sandbox — he was a full time dressage horse earlier in his life under Steffen Peters’ tutelage, and Megan brought him over to the dark side three years ago.

Charlotte is also on a hot streak as her and “Abe,” earned a recent CIC* win at Woodside just last month.

Galway Downs has introduced a number of amenities this year, including the brand new Grand Prix area, which brings an entirely new level of atmosphere to the southern California venue.

You can watch the the cross country action live this weekend thanks to Ride On Video. Find the live stream schedule below:

Saturday — Cross Country
8:40 a.m. PST/11:40 a.m. EST Training 3-Day
10:50 a.m. PST/ 1:50 p.m. EST  CCI2*
12:10 p.m. PST/3:10 p.m. EST  CCI1*

Sunday — Show Jumping
10:00 a.m. PST/1 p.m. ESTTraining 3-Day
11:30 a.m. PST/ 2:30 p.m. EST CCI1*
2:00 p.m. PST/5 p.m. EST CCI2*

Galway Downs CCI & H.T.: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Live Scores

Will Faudree Leads Virginia CCI2*, CCI* Championship All Tied Up

By on Nov 3, 2018 9:03 am -

Will Faudree and FRH Ramona. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The Virginia CCI/CIC & Horse Trials have a packed house this weekend between their national levels, FEI divisions and a three-way tie for the USEF CCI* Eventing National Championship. Will Faudree currently leads the pack in the CCI2* with FRH Ramona.

The 8-year-old Hanoverian, who is owned by Jennifer Mosing and Sterling Silver Stables, was sourced by Francesca Pollara in Germany before finding her place with Will. Now, they’re polishing all the pieces, producing a score of 26.8 to lead the division.

“She can be very, very hot. She’s just gotten better each test this season. She really wants to please and wants to do things right but is very sensitive,” Will said. “[Recently], most of my tests were just going in and trying to keep it quiet and steady as possible. Today I felt like I’m starting to be able to ride her in the test and not just keep the lid on her.”

Terrain is always an influential factor at VHT, and riders, including Faudree, have to keep a careful eye on their gas tank while they navigate Andy Bowles’ challenging course.

“There’s plenty to do out there. It’s going to be about going out and making sure she’s in a good rhythm and not over using her in the beginning so I have horse at the end. I’m going to go out and go quick as I can. She’s still very new at this level. She’s a very brave, game horse cross country so it’s going to be about going out and getting into a rhythm and hopefully things go our way,” Will said.

Rebecca Brown and Dassett Choice. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Rebecca Brown and Dassett Choice jumped straight to the top of the CIC2* after textbook performances in the first two phases. She and the 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood danced for 29.3 and added nothing to it across Chris Barnard’s show jumping test.

“There is always more that you want and I still think there is a lot more in there for him, but he’s so professional. He makes my life really easy in there. He’s never wanted to touch a pole– if I ever have a rail, it’s my fault,” Rebecca said.

Dassett Choice joins the ever-growing group of top horses coming out of Kate Rocher-Smith’s Dassett Eventing in the UK. Joe Meyer introduced the pair, and it’s been smooth sailing since.

“He’s always been talented but I really liked his eye. He has a really soft, kind eye and I had ‘that feeling’ when I rode him,” Brown said. “I saved up money and then put a group of owners together and we bought him… we trotted our way around our first Novice. We’ve done everything together ever since.”

Kelsey Ann Quinn and Dandy Longlegs. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The one-star divisions are already competitive enough at VHT, and introducing a few national championships adds an extra level of excitement to the mix.

As leaders of the CCI*-B division, Kelsey Ann Quinn and Dandy Longlegs also head up the USEF CCI1*-JR/YR Eventing National Championships. The 16-year-old rider piloted the 12-year-old Thoroughbred to a 27.7 in the first phase.

“We’ve been working on better lengthenings and trying to have a good consistent ride and keep him as calm as possible. He couldn’t have been better,” she said.

Three riders earned a 28.3 for a three-way tie in the division as well as atop the USEF CCI1* Eventing National Championship. It’s split between Ariel Grald with Monbeg Game Face, Sharon White with Highlife’s Je T’aime, and Colleen Rutledge with C Me Fly.

Meanwhile in the CCI*-A group, Ryan Wood sits in the top spot with Summit Sporthorses’ Ruby. The 9-year-old Oldenburg, who is a half sibling to Ryan’s CCI3* ride, Powell, earned a 22.6 on the flat. Because Ryan rides under the Australian flag (though he has been invited to join the stars and stripes squad unofficially by EN), he’s not in contention for the USEF CCI* Championships this weekend, but he’ll still be hunting the win in this one-star class.

The upcoming jumping phases will prove extremely influential for this championship, which is awarded to the highest-placed U.S. rider who is at least 22. They’ll set out on the cross country course today at 1 p.m.

Virginia CCI, CIC, & H.T.: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Live Scores

[Faudree Leads CCI2*, Three-Way Tie in USEF CCI1* Eventing National Championships]

[Three-Way Tie for First in the USEF CCI1* Eventing National Championship; Kelsey Ann Quinn Tops the Leaderboard in USEF CCI1*-JR/YR Eventing National Championship at the Virginia Horse Trials]

Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on Nov 3, 2018 12:01 am -

Neil Donnelly and Fool Proof. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

It feels like the fall colors are fading fast in the northern areas of the country, but it looks pretty picturesque in Virginia right now. A sparkling clean gray sure adds to the picture as well! Make sure you check out more Leslie Threlkeld’s lovely scenes from the Virginia CCI and CIC jogs.

National Holiday: National Bison Day

U.S. Weekend Action:

Virginia CCI, CIC, & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Rocking Horse Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Full Gallop Farm November H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Galway Downs CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Your Saturday Links:

Three-Way Tie for First in the USEF CCI1* Eventing National Championship; Kelsey Ann Quinn Tops the Leaderboard in USEF CCI1*-JR/YR Eventing National Championship at the Virginia Horse Trials.

USEA Rule Refresher: Rule Changes Effective December 1, 2018

The Evolution of Thoroughbred Aftercare

No Stirrups? No Problem!

PODCAST: Young Horse Championship Round-Up

Joanie Morris: A Heart for Eventing

Long hours, hard labour — stable workers are among Ontario’s worst paid workers: survey

Hot on Horse Nation: 2018 Breeders’ Cup Need-to-Know Guide & Fields Preview

Saturday Video: Here’s how C Square Farm stays organized:

Friday Video from World Equestrian Brands: Win Pau (Without Leaving the Couch)

By on Nov 2, 2018 5:30 pm -

Thibault Fournier and Siniani de Lathus. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Is anyone else suffering from horrendous Pau withdrawals? It’s a funny old time of year; for those of us on this side of the pond, the final four-star wrapped up eventing in 2018 and placed a neat little bow on top of it and now, the long wait for March seems a yawning one, devoid of all the things we get out of bed for in the morning, and forcing an unnatural separation from our lorry park pals and confidantes.

For me, certainly, this year’s trip to Pau was a seriously special one, and I’m finding myself not just missing the highs of a week spent immersed in the most glorious sport in the world, but missing the friends I made along the way, too. Emotions are running high in my little cottage – as they tend to in November — so stay tuned, because I’ll be channeling them into yet another of my long and rambling reporter’s notebooks, but also some extra bits and pieces looking back at the Pau That Was.

The good, the bad, and the husband material.

In the meantime, though, I’m quelling the post-eventing blues by watching every single hatcam I can get my hands on. Last weekend, we enjoyed a trip around Pau’s course courtesy of Ireland’s Joseph Murphy; this week, let’s ride along with the winner. Thibault Fournier and Siniani de Lathus recorded one of only four double-clear rounds on Saturday, and they were a joy to watch: the Pau course, after all, is built to suit a very forward, very French style of riding, and that’s just what we witnessed when we saw them head out to tackle Pierre Michelet’s magnum opus.

Now, we can see it from Thibault’s point of view — an extra-effective training tool if you tend to find yourself down on your minute markers, or if you just fancy shouting “allez! Allez! Allez!” into a fence, like a certain not-at-all-French eventer we know. (That would be the apparently very popular Mr. Crisp, in case you didn’t catch the livestream. Don’t worry. Plenty more on him to come.)

Autumn in the Air: Vibrant Jog Photos from Virginia Horse Trials

By on Nov 2, 2018 3:00 pm -

Kelsey Briggs and The Gentleman Pirate. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Thursday’s first horse inspection at Virginia Horse Trials couldn’t have been more colorful if it had taken place inside a crayon box, with bright bursts of autumn leaves framing the scene.

The event received a record number of entries for the October CCI/CIC and Horse Trials and will start 550 horses from Starter through CCI2* level this weekend. This year, VHT is also host of the USEF One-Star Eventing Championship, which will see more than 70 competitors vying for the Richard Collins Trophy and Harry T. Peters Trophy. In addition, eight teams will participate in the fall Intercollegiate Team Challenge, and by popular request two alumni teams will represent their former schools alongside current students. Get ready for a busy weekend at the Virginia Horse Center!

CCI2*/CIC2* competitors presented to the ground jury of Wayne Quarles (USA) and Robin Fisher (USA). CCI1* competitors presented to Vanda Stewart (IRL) and Ellen Prichard Bryan (USA). The FEI Veterinary Delegate is Sandi Farris, DVM (USA). Leslie Threlkeld posted these stunning photos from the jog to VHT’s Facebook page:

 

Dressage for international competitors and the Intermediate and Preliminary horse trials divisions began today. All three phases of eventing will run on the first day of competition as the CIC2* will negotiate a show jumping course designed by Chris Barnard and the Intermediate and Preliminary divisions will ride across the country on courses designed by Andy Bowles and John Michael Durr.

Organizer Andy Bowles extends a warm welcome to all competitors, owners and supporters and wishes great rides for all: “It’s fabulous to see the great numbers we have this weekend, and I’d like to thank everyone for choosing to come to VHT.”

[Competition Set to Start at Virginia CCI/CIC & Horse Trials and USEF One-Star Eventing National Championships]

Virginia CCI, CIC, & H.T.: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Live Scores

 

Team Challenge and the Case of the Missing Cell Phone

By on Nov 2, 2018 11:00 am -

I’m still in denial that our show season is about to end. I’m not quite ready to admit defeat to Carhartts and thick socks. Indiana produces some wicked cold temps, and while I’m stubborn enough to get in that 10-minute bareback ride before hypothermia sets in, I’m not happy that it’s about to come to that.

I would like to tell a story about a recent happening at Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event & Team Challenge H.T, held at the Kentucky Horse Park annually in October. Team Challenge is a great show. It’s like a Pony Club Rally, except there aren’t any people walking around in khakis and straw hats judging your every move. That and you’re allowed to have beer. Disclaimer: National Examiner here, I heart Pony Club ….

Due to unfortunate circumstances, Lyric and I ended the show with a big fat E. He had a few confidence rattling jumps in the beginning of the cross country course, and God love him, he just petered out. We will get it next time.

For confidentiality purposes, I will protect the names of the innocent. My Team Challenge Team was a fun group. We had a nice variety of horses and riders and we were determined to have a good time. My story begins as we were about to set off on a course walk. One of my teammates, we will call her “L” discovered she had lost her cell phone. Now “L” is a pretty cool person. She comes from a jumper background, but ventured to the dark side and has stuck around. She’s a fantastic rider and has nice horses. She is however, at least at horse shows, like herding a group of attention deficit kittens through a maze of catnip. Glorious catnip.

“L” announces she has lost her phone. OK, let’s call it. So I do. Twelve times. Nothing. We look through the tack room. Nothing. Tack trunks. Nothing. Pockets. Nothing. Stall. Nothing. Then it happens. “L” states that she went to the bathroom before changing into breeches for dressage. She thinks maybe it fell out of her back pocket into the abyss of the Port-O-Let. “L” decides to course walk and let it go.

But then she changes her mind, and she asks me to follow her, which I do, because I’m a good person. The next chain of events is something I will never forget.

“Come with me.”

“Ok, what are you doing?”

“I’m going to see if my phone fell in the toilet.”

“Um … ok.”

“Stand here and hold the door, or just come in.”

“I’m not going in there with you.”

“Don’t get your phone out and record any of this.”

So I stood there, looking back and forth, and the front of the barn aisle, hoping no one would see me holding the door of the Port-O-Let. But then it got worse. “L” leaves me to go back to her stall and comes at me with an applepicker.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going to try and find my phone.”

“Please don’t.”

“Just hold the door.”

But there was no going back. “L” went in. She tried head first. Discouraged, she realized that wasn’t going to work — square applepicker, round toilet seat. She’s pretty smart, so she only tried for a few minutes. Then she flipped it around, and despite my pleading, she did it. Stuck the handle of her applepicker in the blue water and went spelunking. I stood there in amazement. I’ll admit, as a paramedic, I see lots of things, and this made me cringe.

Convinced she was not finding anything worth retrieving, “L” went back to her stall and PUT HER APPLEPICKER RIGHT BACK IN THE MUCK BUCKET LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED.

“Please throw that away.”

“I just touched the dry paper.”

“Not ok.”

I then proceeded to tell everyone on my team not to borrow “L”s applepicker, or give her a high five any time soon. After another 30 seconds, “L” remembered she had stacked some of her 57 saddle pads on a chair, that may have contained her cell phone at one time. Shockingly enough, there it sat, dry and lacking excrement juice, its sound having been muffled by the copious amounts of equine accessories stacked upon it.

“L” then, trying to make the situation better, tells us that she has disinfected the handle with alcohol. Alcohol. Team member “S” suggests bleach. I suggest if she uses alcohol, she also needs to use fire. Or even just fire would be fine.

“L” proceeded to continue about her weekend like nothing happened. Luckily, she told the story to her family, who called their physician friend, who told “L” that the applepicker needed to go. I did not get a confirmation picture of the applepicker in a dumpster, so I’m skeptical.

The rest of my team had a fantastic weekend. I stayed and cheered them on the next day for stadium. If you ever get the chance to meet “L”, ask her about the cell phone incident, also don’t use her applepicker.