Classic Eventing Nation

Fair Hill Day 1: Bobby Meyerhoff and Almanac Top CCI2* Leaderboard

By on Oct 18, 2018 7:11 pm -

Bobby Meyerhoff and Almanac. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

The first day of dressage kicked off today at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International starting with the CCI2*, and Bobby Meyerhoff and Almanac delivered a decisive personal best of 26.3 to lead. Their scores at two-star level have steadily dropped closer to the sub-30 barrier all season, and today they finally cracked it.

Almanac, a 9-year-old Hanoverian gelding (As Di Volare X Fuerst Aphrodites R, by Fuerst Gothard) Bobby owns with Gail Dady, is better known as “Maniac” because of his off-the-wall personality. Bred in Middleburg, Virginia to be a show jumper, his spooky nature rendered him nearly unrideable.

“You couldn’t get on him unless two people were holding him,” Bobby said. “You had to get both feet in the stirrups without touching his back. If you touched his back — you were going to be on the ground.”

While Maniac came to Bobby to be sold, he decided to try eventing the horse instead. Through patience and persistence, Bobby has built a partnership with Maniac. They have finished in the top 10 in their last three consecutive starts at two-star level, including finishing fourth in the horse’s CCI2* debut at Jersey Fresh.

“It does make our bond a little stronger because he knows I’m his rider,” Bobby said. “He just keeps climbing up the ladder. I think the world of the horse. He’s got all these quirks and he’s really weird, but he has all the talent to go to the top. It’s just a matter of can we do it.”

Caroline Martin and Cristano Z. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Caroline Martin and Cristano Z sit in second place on 26.4 — just one-tenth of a point off the lead. Costly bobbles like executing a flying change in the counter canter and a jig in the turn on the haunches kept them from topping the leaderboard, but Caroline said she has the big picture in mind for this horse.

“I think he’s one of the best horses I have in my barn,” Caroline said. “He gets a bit nervous in the ring because he tries his heart out, but I was happy with the relaxation. He’s going to be really good one day — it’s just a process.”

Following falls on cross country at the Advanced level this year, Caroline stepped the horse back to the one-star and two-star levels to solidify their partnership. Cristano Z won the Plantation Field CIC* last month and finished ninth in the CIC2* at Morven Park in their final prep run for Fair Hill.

Jenny Caras and Trendy Fernhill. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jenny Caras and her own Trendy Fernhill scored a personal best of 26.6 as the final pair to go today to sit in third place in the horse’s debut at the level. “Joey,” a 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (ARS Vivendi X Cruseings Girl, by Cruising), most recently finished 11th in the CIC2* at Stable View in his final prep run for Fair Hill.

“The atmosphere didn’t faze him. He was the same horse in the arena as he is at home,” Jenny said. “I had one mistake on my part when I didn’t to a half halt where I should have, and we had a little canter in the trot work. He tried his heart out. He’s a big horse, so it’s about getting him stronger and fit to the flatwork and being able to hold the uphill balance through the test.”

Looking to the rest of the CCI2* leaderboard, Will Faudree and Michel 233, an 8-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Mighty Magic X First Lady, by Federweisser) owned by Jennifer Mosing and Sterling Silver Stables, sit fourth on 27.1.

Chris Talley and Sandro’s Star, a 10-year-old Oldenburg stallion (Sagnol X Poetic Patter xx, by Nostalgia’s Star xx) owned by Hannah Salazar, sit fifth on 28.3.

Click here to view full scores in the CCI2* following the first day of dressage. CCI2* dressage continues tomorrow at 9 a.m. EST, and CCI3* dressage also starts at 9 a.m. CCI3* dressage will be available to watch on demand tomorrow afternoon on USEF Network.

Fair Hill also hosts the USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships, which kicked off today with dressage and conformation. Tim Bourke and his own Quality Obsession, a Dutch Warmblood mare by Zambeesi, lead the 5-year-old Championships on a score of 24.19. Courtney Cooper and her own R River Star, an Irish Sport Horse gelding (Riverman X R Star), lead the 4-year-old Championships on 24.75.

The jumping phase for the YEH Championships will be held tomorrow starting at 8 a.m. with the 4-year-olds, followed by the 5-year-olds at 10:15 a.m. Click here to view full YEH scores.

If you missed EN’s preview of Derek di Grazia’s CCI3* cross country course, click here for a fence-by-fence tour. While temperatures are chilly here in Elkton, Maryland, we have a mercifully dry forecast that should make for perfect going on Saturday. Stay tuned for much more from Fair Hill. Go Eventing.

#DuttaFHI: Website, Dressage Times, Schedule, YEH Live Scores, CCI Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Liz Halliday-Sharp Takes Decisive Le Lion Lead

By on Oct 18, 2018 4:00 pm -

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Moonshine leave nothing on the table at Le Lion d’Angers. Photo by EquusPix.

Both the six- and seven-year-old World Championships got well underway today at central France’s Le Lion d’Angers, and US representative Liz Halliday-Sharp, who splits her time between East Sussex in the UK and Ocala, left nothing to chance with her six-year-old entry Cooley Moonshine.

We always expected a nice test out of Billy, who Liz has been quietly confident about since she took on the Richard Sheane sourced youngster, but in the moment, he delivered a remarkable personal best. His international average is 27.7, but despite the inescapable atmosphere of Le Lion – or, perhaps, because of it – he dug extra deep and produced a 22.4, taking not only the lead in the CCIYH*, but also boasting the best score of the day across both classes.

“He was very professional in there today,” says Liz. “He had a little mistake coming out of the walk, but that’s just because he always wants to get on with the job, so he wanted to canter. But he’s a funny thing – he’s always so brave and keen, and I don’t think he even noticed the atmosphere.”

Cooley Moonshine delivers his best performance yet for Liz Halliday-Sharp. Photo by EquusPix.

The 16.2hh son of Cobra began his eventing career last year, winning on his British Eventing debut in Firle’s BE100 (Training level) class. This year, he’s enjoyed an astonishing season: he won his first event of the year, obviously found he rather liked the fuss and extra polo mints, and went on to win his next four competitions, including his first one-star at Brightling Park. He broke his win streak – barely – by finished second in his next CIC1*, this time back at Firle, but he was back on form with a win at his third at last month’s South of England CIC1*. He was fifth in the British Young Horse Championships CIC1* at Osberton earlier this month, and his trip to Le Lion sees him tackle his very first CCI competition.

But for all his talent, he hasn’t necessarily been the easiest horse to figure out.

“I bought him originally as a sales horse, and when I got him home I thought, ‘this one’s special.’ But he was very strong and quite hard to manage cross country, and there was a stage where we thought, ‘oh god, are we going to be able to crack this?'”

Your EN correspondent’s face when Liz’s score was posted. Also possibly Billy’s face when he gets to go cross country.

With some ingenuity – and the addition of a hackabit to his jumping wardrobe – Liz and her team figured out how to work with Billy, and he came back out for his 2018 season stronger, more mature, and ready to chase the results. The dressage took, perhaps, slightly longer – he is, explains Liz, a naturally a bit tricky in his mouth, and historically struggled to accept the contact. A last-minute change of bit yesterday seems to have finally ticked that box and the horse, who is getting stronger and more mature in his body day by day, easily outpaced his competition in the ring today, making positive headway on his long-anticipated trip to France.

“Not every horse is a Le Lion horse – it’s a huge atmosphere in every phase, but I’ve thought since last year that it would be right for him. He’s so brave, and I never thought he’d care about it. It’s nice to have gotten that right. We’re so excited about him, and really proud of him,” says a delighted Liz, who makes a second trip down the centreline tomorrow in the seven-year-old class with Cooley Quicksilver.

Millie Dumas and Universal Cooley (VDL Arkansas x Dysart Lilly, by Maltstriker) posted a very competitive 23.3 to slip into second place at the halfway point of the six-year-olds’ dressage, while fellow Brit Piggy French took third overnight on 25.8 with Emerald Jonny (Waldo Van Dungen x Z Royalty Van De Heernis, by Rubels), owned by her partner Tom March. This means that the top three in the class overnight are Irish Sport Horses – a great start for the studbook, which won the breeding award here last year.

Michael Jung and Wild Wave take fourth overnight. Photo by EquusPix.

There was an unsurprising German invasion on the leaderboard in the form of fourth-placed Michael Jung, riding his own Wild Wave (Water Dance XX x Uquina), who scored a 26.0, closely followed by Vanessa Bölting and Ready To Go W (Rock Forever x Weingold GD, by Weinberg) on a 27.1 and Sandra Auffarth and Gentleman FRH (Grey Top x Franziska, by Fabriano), who posted a 27.6.

Rebecca Howard and Trebor sit in the top ten after the first day of dressage. Photo by EquusPix.

Canada’s Rebecca Howard started the day’s proceedings with Kelly McCarthy-Maine‘s Trebor (Mighty Magic x Trevilder, by Fleetwater Opposition), but despite a slightly unfavourable draw, they delivered a good score of 28.3 to sit in eighth place after the first day of dressage. Rebecca took the ride on the six-year-old this year, taking the reins from Dutch venter Andrew Heffernan, and though his scores have fluctuated, he’s proven to be very capable in this phase, dipping as low as 22.3 in a Novice (Preliminary) run at Aston-le-Walls in August.

Rebecca Howard and Trebor, the first of her two rides at Le Lion. Photo by EquusPix.

In an enormous surprise to absolutely no one, Ingrid Klimke leads the seven-year-old class overnight on Asha P (Askari 173 x Hera, by Heraldik XX) after delivering a 25.3 with the Brandenburg mare. So far they’ve won three out of nine internationals together – a CIC1* at Kreuth, Jardy’s CCI1*, and Luhmühlen CIC2* earlier this summer. They were also second at Renswoude CIC2* and fourth at Strzegom CIC2*, and so it’s easy to see why Ingrid rates the well-travelled youngster – a full sister to 2012 vice Bundeschampionat DSP Araldik – as an exciting up-and-comer in her string.

Nicola Wilson and JL Dublin (Diarado x Zarinna, by Cantano) moved into second place on a score of 25.6, while Laura Collett‘s reserve British seven-year-old champion Calmaro sits comfortably in third on 26.1. New Zealand’s Jesse Campbell holds fourth place overnight on the talented Dutch gelding Gambesie (Zambesi x Verrona, by Harcos), who was formerly piloted by Jonty Evans.

We’ve got five more North American combinations on the main stage tomorrow – keep it locked onto EN for all your equine Toddlers & Tiaras news. Ciao for now!

Le Lion d’Angers links: Website, CCIYH* Entries, CCIYH** Entries, CCIYH* Live Scores, CCIYH** Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Cross Country Live Stream

Fair Hill International CCI3* Cross Country Course Preview

By on Oct 18, 2018 2:10 pm -

Welcome to the 30th anniversary of Fair Hill, an event that has served as one of the most prestigious competitions in North America since its inception in 1989. The late Mike Tucker served as the event’s first cross country course designer and put Fair Hill on the map as a demanding track. Derek di Grazia, who won the CCI3* in 1991, took over as course designer in 1999. Since then Fair Hill’s reputation has continued to grow as the toughest CCI3* track on this side of the world.

This year’s course is as demanding as ever. The first three jumps — Log Berm at fence 1, Fish Tank at fence 2, and Hot and Cold Oxer at fence 3, will settle horses and riders into a rhythm. The Hanging Log at fence 4 is set in the tree line, and riders will then turn sharply left and make their way to the first combination on course at fence 5, the Frog Pond. Riders will jump in over the cabin at 5A and splash into the water for the brush at fence 5B.

Fence 7AB – Table and Brush. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Riders will then turn right out of the tree line and kick along for the first galloping stretch on course to fence 6, the Sneaky Snake. Then riders will bend left around the next tree line to the first meaty combination on course at fence 7AB, Table and Brush. Riders will land downhill following the table at 7A and bend left in six strides to a right-pointed brush corner at 7B. The intensity continues to build from this point in the course.

The Potting Shed at fence 8 breaks up a galloping stretch to the next combination on course at fence 9ABC, the Covered Bridge with a right bending line to the Offset Cabins set on one stride. Fence 10, the Sunset Ditch, has a generous brush ground line. Then there is a long galloping stretch to the Chesapeake Water at fence 11. After galloping up the hill to jump the skinny stump at 11A, the ground drops away sharply on the landing side. Horses will splash into the water and take on the duck at 11B before galloping away.

The coffin at fence 13 – Ed Walls Question. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Fence 12, the Tiger Trap, breaks up another galloping stretch. Then riders will turn left back along the tree line for the coffin at fence 13, the Ed Walls Question. Horses will jump in over the rails at 13A with one stride to the ditch at 13B, then rocket up the hill in two strides to a right-pointed corner at 13C.

Fence 14, the Picnic Table, and fence 15, the Open Oxer, break up the longest galloping stretch on course, which also includes a grueling hill designed to test fitness. The next combination at fence 15, the Persimmon Turn, is set at the top of the course following the uphill pull and has a narrow open oxer set over a ditch at 16A, followed by a bending five strides to a narrow brush angled over a ditch at 16B.

The combination at fence 17AB entering the main arena. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Then riders will make their way towards the main arena for fence 17, the Main Arena Log and Brush, which has riders jump a beefy hanging log at 17A and make their way down the hill and towards the right in three strides to a triple brush. Fence 18, the Stone Cottage, is set directly in the center of the main arena.

Riders will then exit the arena and make their way to a spectator-heavy zone for the next combination at fence 19, the Farmhouse Corners, set on two strides. Fence 20, the Horseshoe Brush, and fence 21, Centerpiece, break up the next galloping stretch before the Double Brush combination at fence 22AB.

The Farmyard Corners at fence 19AB. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Then it’s on to the Fair Hill Table at fence 23 before a new combination on course this year at fence 24, the Angled Logs. Set on a right bending line on a downhill slope, riders chasing the time will have to determine how much horse they have left late in the course and how sharply they can angle the first log.

The final combination on course at fence 25AB, the Springhouse Water, typically causes quite a lot of trouble. The ground drops away sharply after the cabin at fence 25A, and the angled brush at 25B invites a runout to the right. Riders will then go on to the penultimate jump on course at fence 26, the Sunburst Table, and finally to the last jump at fence 27, the Produce Stand.

Derek di Grazia’s CCI3* course has 40 total jumping efforts set across 5,760 meters. The optimum time is 10 minutes, 7 seconds, and EN is predicting that seven pairs will catch the time. CCI3* cross country will stream live on USEF Network at 1:30 p.m. EST on Saturday.

Alissa Norman and Jacki Russell kindly recorded the track on CrossCountry App, so you can preview all the fences below. Many thanks to Alissa and Jacki! Keep it locked on EN for much more from Fair Hill. Go Eventing.

#DuttaFHI: Website, Dressage Times, Schedule, YEH Live Scores, CCI Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Looking Fall-Fresh at the Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day First Horse Inspection

By on Oct 18, 2018 1:36 pm -

You guys in your back-to-school sweater vests and woolen scarves and smart leather jackets, I can’t even deal. Autumn is upon us — and all over eventing’s runway, including the jog strip at Hagyard Midsouth Three-day Event & Team Challenge H.T.

Taking place this week at the Kentucky Horse Park, Midsouth features a CCI1* and classic format three-days at the Prelim and Training levels in addition to Beginner Novice through Prelim horse trial divisions and a team challenge. The first horse inspection took place yesterday, CCI1* dressage is in the homestretch, and YR/JR CCI1* dressage has just begun.

EN blogger extraordinaire Amy Nelson is on the scene riding, snapping pics and taking notes, and we thank her for being our boots on the ground! Also sending out a big dose of EN good-luck to our Maggie Deatrick, who is contesting the Training Three-Day with Cthulhu.

With about two-thirds of CCI1* dressage complete and another nine combinations still to go, this guy has secured the early lead on a score of 27.3.

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Accepted CCI1*! #bossinova #trotup #mcconnoneventing

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You can check up on live scores here. More useful links at the end of this post. Best of luck to all! Here are a few more of your pics from yesterday’s first horse inspection.

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Dinner at Malone’s accepted. PC: @rachellynncreative

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Lady Hannah B is accepted into the T3D. 😊💗💕

A post shared by Kendahl Holden (@tateventing) on

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accepted✔️

A post shared by Lauren Harris (@lauren.harris01) on

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Bad Moon Rising accepted✔️

A post shared by kena_shea_knott (@kena_shea_knott) on

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Title Contender accepted into the 3 Day ✅

A post shared by Nicole Maynard (@nicole_maynard_) on

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5o1 Macintosh accepted 😊☑️

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Go Eventing!

Hagyard Midsouth Three-day Event & Team Challenge H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

 

Thursday Video from Nupafeed: Stinking Adorable British XC Pony Cam

By on Oct 18, 2018 12:00 pm -

Between the pricked white pony ears and the young rider’s narration, which ranges from encouragement (“Come on good boy you can do it!”) to consternation (“Bloody barrels!”) to singing, this helmet cam is everything. What pony wouldn’t run his heart out for this little girl?

 

So this is what she says to him out on the course 😂😍 think I love her even more x

Posted by Danielle Maynard on Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Never forget what it’s all about, deep down. Never forget what you knew when you started, and never EVER forget to have fun.

Go Eventing.

By the Numbers: Dutta Corp Fair Hill International CCI3*

By on Oct 18, 2018 8:30 am -

Fair Hill International celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and is still considered the best preparatory event for horses seeking to make the move up to the Kentucky Three-Day Event in the spring. The CCI3* field this year has quite a few heavy-hitters, and talented newcomers should also make for an exciting mix in Maryland this weekend.

Photo by Shelby Allen.

The Field

  • The leader after dressage has won the CCI3* for the last three consecutive runnings. The past three runnings of this event have also resulted in a slightly higher-than-average rate of pairs making the time.
  • Over the past four runnings, 28 of 185 starters (15.36%) have made the optimum time on cross country, compared to a world-wide average of 12.92%. A similar rate would result in approximately seven pairs making the time this weekend.
  • Despite the large numbers of those who make time, only two or fewer horses have finished on their dressage score in three of the last four runnings. In 2014, no one managed to do it, while in 2016 a high of seven pairs accomplished the feat.

Boyd Martin and Long Island T. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Dressage Divas

  • Boyd Martin and Long Island T have delivered tests over 70% in five of their seven Advanced/3* tests this year, including a 22.9 at Millbrook. Their two-year dressage average of 27.6 for the level is the best in the field.
  • Chatwin is another to keep an eye out for in the top position after dressage, with a two-year average of 27.8 for the level with Frankie Theriot Stutes. He has broken the 75% barrier three times in the 2018 season.
  • Pavarotti and Jessica Phoenix have been the picture of consistency at the Advanced/3* level in this phase, scoring in the 20s in every start at those levels in 2018. Their average over the last two years is 29.5.

Buck Davidson and Archie Rocks. Photo by Amy Dragoo Photography.

Cross Country Machines

  • After taking over the ride on Archie Rocks this spring, Buck Davidson quickly showed that the horse has quite a turn of foot. With an average cross country pace only 7.2 seconds slower than the fastest pace of the day, these two have the quickest average pace in the field paired with a reliable record. They average 4.4 time penalties but have been within 10 seconds of the fastest pace in three of their five runs together.
  • Landmark’s Monte Carlo and Lauren Kieffer have well established speed at the CCI levels, with an average time penalty of only 1.6 at the CCI3* level versus an average of 8.4 at the Advanced/CIC3* levels. Although they’ve only finished inside the time at one CCI start, they’ve finished no more than seven seconds over optimum at any of their CCI runs.
  • Chatwin is another who has made his runs at the CCI3* level count under Frankie Theriot Stutes, with an average of only 1.2 time penalties in runs at Bromont and Rebecca. These two have finished 10 seconds behind the leader in each CCI3* run, a touch faster than their average pace at Advanced/CIC3* level, which is 12.5 seconds behind the fastest time.

Mara DePuy and Congo Brazzaville C. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Show Jumping Powerhouses

  • Congo Brazzaville C and Mara DePuy are one of the most careful pairs in North America and have never had a rail when cross country was run before stadium, including their two CCI3* completions. These two have only had two rails in their 14 rounds at the Advanced/3* levels.
  • Will Faudree and Pfun have never had a rail at a CCI3 or CCI4*, and have never had a rail at any Advanced or CIC3* when cross country came before stadium.
  • Lindsay Kelley and Cooley Cruise Control are attempting their first CCI3*, but at the Advanced/CIC3* levels they’ve had one rail in six rounds, including once when stadium was the final phase.
  • The jumping bean Corvett has a stellar record under Emily Hamel in his first year at this level— just one rail in five starts.
  • Up until Morven Park, Bendigo had never had a rail at the Advanced/3* levels — six consecutive clear rounds out of seven. He and Ema Klugman will be looking for their first completion at the level this weekend.

Sydney Conley Elliott and Cisko A. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jacks of All Trades

  • Jenny Caras and Fernhill Fortitude are making their fourth consecutive attempt at Fair Hill, a place they have historically run much faster than their average pace. A mid-30 averages on the flat will keep this pair out of the top after dressage, but at the CCI3* level they average only five seconds over optimum time, including two clear previous runs inside the time at this event. They’ve also added nothing to their score on the final day in their last two CCI3* starts.
  • The loss of the dressage coefficient has changed a lot of things for a horse like Cisko A. Under Sydney Conley Elliot, Cisko A has averaged mid-to-high 30s on the flat but has proven on at least three occasions to be within five seconds of the fastest horse in the field. On the final day, this pair has been a one or none horse in all but one of their stadium rounds at the level.

PREDICTED WINNER: Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin

Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Keep Your Eye On:

  • Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo
  • Jenny Caras and Fernhill Fortitude
  • Boyd Martin and Long Island T

Thursday News & Notes from Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS)

By on Oct 18, 2018 1:00 am -

Photo courtesy of Holly Covey.

Is is Fair Hill cross country day yet? Jenni will be along with a course preview before long, but in the meantime here’s a sneak preview of one of the obstacles on course. If it seems like there’s a lot going on, there is — decorator Holly Covey had a little fun with “The Farmhouse Corners.”

“I themed it ‘Chaos Farm,'” she says. “Lots of disasters happening here….”

Indeed! Dressage is off and running today, so keep it here for all the latest.

National Holiday: National Chocolate Cupcake Day

Major Events This Week:

Fair Hill Links: Website, Dressage Times, Schedule, YEH Scoring, CCI Scoring, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Le Lion d’Angers: Website, 6-year-old Entries, 7-year-old Entries, Results, EN’s Coverage

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Tryon Riding & Hunt Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Pine Hill Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

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

Hagyard Midsouth Three-day Event & Team Challenge H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Your Thursday News & Notes:

Safe Sport Training reminder: Effective January 1, 2019, all adults (18 years of age or older) with a Competing Membership must complete the USEF’s Safe Sport Training in order to participate at USEF competitions. Safe Sport is a simple, easy and important step to take in effort to maintain the safety of our sport. Anyone who does not fulfill the requirement will not be allowed to show until the training has been completed. Any new members joining after January 1, 2019, will have a 30 day grace period to do the training. To complete this training go to www.usef.org. [Safe Sport]

Best of luck to the babies! The 2018 USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) East and West Championships are taking place this week — the East Coast Championships span two days (Oct. 18-19) at Fair Hill followed by the West Coast Championships (Oct. 21) at Fresno County Horse Park. The USEA brings us some fast facts, such as … did you know that Dom Schramm’s 5-Year-Old Championship mount Quadrocana is a full sibling to Michael Jung’s three-time Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event winner, FischerRocana FST (Ituango xx x Roze II)? [Fast Facts: 2018 USEA Young Event Horse Championships]

Live from Lion: Elizabeth Callahan, breeder of Quantum Leap, Doug Payne’s entry in the FEI World Eventing Breeding Championships for Young Horses at Le Mondial du Lion d’Angers, is blogging her impressions from the event in France. “As for the horses first let me tell you that the horseflesh is amazing,” she writes. “The quality that is here is superb.” For all you sporthorse bloodline junkies out there, this is a must-read. [The Race to Le Lion: The Long and Winding Road Part 2]

The life of a veterinary life can be loaded. Concerns about ethical conflicts, moral distress and burnout in veterinary practice are steadily increasing, according to the authors of a recent article published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, based on a survey of 800 North American vets. How can we better support them? [Moral and ethical conflict: Veterinary profession’s dark side revealed]

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Clipping Season Is Upon Us

By on Oct 17, 2018 5:30 pm -

There’s a saying that you shouldn’t body clip a horse before Halloween or after Valentine’s Day. It’s a good thing we’re getting close to October 31 because the horses are already getting awfully fuzzy!

My personal favorite clip is the Irish Clip. It’s quick and easy — basically a straight line from the stifles to the ears. This clip is good for horses that live out or don’t get worked so hard in winter that they sweat all over. A trace clip accomplishes much the same thing, but it takes a bit more precision to get the shape right on both sides of the horse.

Then again, you can say to heck with symmetry and take all the hair right off. But if you do this, of course, you have to prepared to blanket appropriately for the next several months.

There are endless videos online with tips and tricks to a good clip job. Check out the full body clip video above or, if you’re a USEF member, log into your account to watch this tutorial with professional groom Shannon O’Hatnick of Radiant Clips. She covers what type of body clip your horse needs, the equipment to use, and more. Here’s a sneak peek:

Learning Center: Body Clipping with Shannon O'Hatnick

How would you rate your body clipping skills? Clipping expert Shannon O’Hatnick of Radiant Clips shares her tips to get your horse looking his best as the weather cools down ❄️Full video 👉 https://www.usef.org/learning-center/videos/body-clipping-your-horse

Posted by US Equestrian on Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Find more great educational videos at the USEF Learning Center.

Fight back against vitamin E deficiencies that can cause muscle soreness and stiffness

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Fair Hill: 103 Accepted, 1 Spun at First Horse Inspection + Photo Gallery

By on Oct 17, 2018 5:01 pm -

Lauren Kieffer and her 2018 World Equestrian Games mount Vermiculus. Photo by Jenni Autry.

A total of 103 pairs were accepted at the first horse inspection on a sunny, blustery day at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International here in Elkton, Maryland. It’s an extra special year as Fair Hill celebrates its 30th anniversary, and there was a definite buzz of excitement in the air as the action kicked off.

The CCI2* horses were presented first to the ground jury of Gretchen Butts (USA) and Peter Gray (CAN), and all 65 were accepted. While 66 horses were scheduled to present in the CCI2*, Alexa Lapp sadly did not present Tim and Nina Gardner’s Cambalda, who won the Fair Hill CCI3* with Jennie Brannigan in 2014.

“He unfortunately abscessed earlier in the week, and although he has just come sound from it, we’ve decided it’s not worth the risk to run him,” Jennie said. “He will have a break and then come back out happy and fresh as a 17-year-old next year.”

Caitlin Henderson and Creative Dreamer are making their CCI3* debut. Photo by Jenni Autry.

A total of 41 horses were slated to present to the CCI3* ground jury of the USA’s Mark Weissbecker — who won Fair Hill in both 1994 and 1998! —  Angela Tucker (GBR) and David Lee (IRL). Allison Springer withdrew Business Ben prior to the first horse inspection, as did Whitney Mahloch with Military Mind.

Of the 39 horses that presented today in the CCI3*, all were accepted but Erin Sylvester’s mount Paddy The Caddy, who was sadly not accepted after re-presenting from the holding box. Thirty-eight horses will go forward to dressage in the CCI3*.

Bruce Davidson presenting Sofia Baussan’s mount Durango in the CCI2*. Photo by Jenni Autry.

There are a number of Fair Hill first-timers competing this year in both the CCI2* and CCI3*, and we saw a slew of ear-to-ear smiles on the jog strip today. But we have to award the Biggest Smile Award to Bruce Davidson, who won Fair Hill in 1992 with Eagle Lion and returned to the jog strip today to present Sofia Baussan’s mount Durango in the CCI2*.

Follow EN’s Instagram for more photos, and be sure to follow official show photographer Shannon Brinkman on Facebook for beautiful images of today’s first horse inspection.

Dressage starts tomorrow at 9:24 a.m. EST for the CCI2* and 8:20 a.m. EST for the USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships. Click here for dressage start times for all divisions. Stay tuned for much more from Fair Hill. Go Eventing.

#DuttaFHI: Website, Dressage Start Times, Schedule, YEH Scoring, CCI Scoring, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Le Lion First Horse Inspection: All Pass, Seven North American Combinations to Compete

By on Oct 17, 2018 12:30 pm -

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver at Le Lion in 2017. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

It’s a busy week for North American riders: not only is Fair Hill taking over our airwaves and our (almost) undivided attention, we’ve also got some strong representation at the World Championships for Young Horses at Le Lion d’Anger. Comprising a CCI1* for six-year-olds and a CCI2* for seven-year-olds, the Loire valley competition is enormously prestigious, with its graduates going on to success at the upper echelons of the sport.

The competition got off to a flying start today with the first horse inspection, which saw 110 horses brought before the ground jury of Jutta Koivula (FIN), Alain James (FRA), and Anne Marie Taylor (GBR) for the CCI1* and Eric Lieby (FRA), Gerd Kuest (GER), and Robert Stevenson (USA) for the CCI2*.

Rebecca Howard with Cooley Convinced and Trebor. Photo by Kelly McCarthy-Maine.

All those presented were passed, and will take to the atmospheric dressage arena over the next two days. Our pathfinder is Canada’s Rebecca Howard, who heads up the six-year-old class on Trebor (Mighty Magic X Trevilder, by Fleetwater Opposition) and closes it on season debutante Cooley Convinced (Diarado X BLM Clover Diamond, by Clover Echo), both owned by fellow Canadian and eventer Kelly McCarthy-Maine.

Rebecca Howard and Trebor, pathfinders in the CCI1*. Photo by Kelly McCarthy Maine.

Trebor, known as ‘Minty’ at home, won the Burghley Young Event Horse final as a four-year-old, and was purchased by Rebecca in late 2017 from his producer, Andrew Heffernan, who competes for the Netherlands and rides Gideon in the seven-year-old class this week.

Joining Rebecca in the six-year-old class are UK-based American Tiana Coudray and Happenstance (Quality Time X Mermus R), who produced an impressive top-ten finish in the CCIYH1* at Tattersalls earlier this year, and Liz Halliday-Sharp, who brings forward the impressive Cooley Moonshine (Cobra X Kilpatrick Duchess, by Kings Master). The latest in an enviable string of young talent sourced from Richard Sheane’s Cooley enterprise, Cooley Moonshine has already won two CIC1* classes this year, at Brightling Park and the South of England Horse Trials.

Pedro Gutierrez started his week by making a little bit of history – he and his own California Mail (Quite Easy X Varnalisa Mail, by Kalaska de Semilly) are Mexico’s first-ever representatives at this competition.

There’s stiff competition in the seven-year-old championship, with 69 total entries and a formidable line-up. The U.S. is ably represented once again by Liz Halliday-Sharp, who will pilot Cooley Quicksilver (Womanizer X Kylemore Crystal, by Creggan Diamond), a graduate of last year’s six-year-old competition. The Irish Sport Horse, owned by the Monster Syndicate, started his season off with an impressive win in the CCI2* in Ocala.

Second in that class was the US’ other horse in this class. Doug Payne and Quantum Leap (Quite Capitol X Report to Sloopy, by Corporate Report) made their way over to France on the Holekamp/Turner Grant, awarded to the winner of the USEA Young Event Horse five-year-old championship.

Elsewhere in the class, Laura Collett and her British Young Horse Championships runner-up Calmaro add considerable strength to a formidable British campaign headed up by last year’s six-year-old championship winner, Monkeying Around, ridden by Izzy Taylor.

Izzy Taylor and Monkeying Around clinch the 2017
six-year-old World Championship at Le Lion d’Angers. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

France’s Tom Carlile enjoys the home advantage of being based at Le Lion d’Angers, and he has a remarkable record here, too — he had clocked up eight consecutive FODs at the event, a record which was broken last year when he collected a surprise 20 aboard Atos Barbotiere in the seven-year-old class. This year, he rides the talented Birmane, who finished third in the six-year-old class in 2017.

Perhaps the most accomplished entrant in the CCI2* is Choclat, ridden by Michael Jung. In his second CCI1* last year, he produced one of the lowest-ever finishing scores at an international event — an astonishing 15.2. Not too shabby, when your score is smaller than your horse’s height. Since then, he’s never quite managed to match that incredible effort, but he’s racked up plenty of experience and a plethora of good results, both with Michi and with Italian eventer Pietro Grandis. He’ll be exciting to watch this weekend.

If you’re an FEItv subscriber, you’ll be able to follow along with the action live — here are the dressage times for our North American contingent:

THURSDAY

  • Rebecca Howard (CAN) and Trebor: 9.00am local time/3.00am EST
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp (USA) and Cooley Moonshine: 11.05am local time/5.05am EST

FRIDAY

  • Pedro Gutierrez (MEX) and California Mail: 9.07am local time/3.07am EST
  • Tiana Coudray (USA) and Happenstance: 9.28am local time/3.28am EST
  • Rebecca Howard (CAN) and Cooley Convinced: 11.33am local time/5.33am EST
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp (USA) and Cooley Quicksilver: 2.13pm local time/8.13am EST
  • Doug Payne (USA) and Quantum Leap: 2.41pm local time/8.41pm EST

Le Lion d’Angers links: Website, CCIYH* Entries, CCIYH** Entries, CCIYH* Live Scores, CCIYH** Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Cross Country Live Stream