Classic Eventing Nation

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

By on May 6, 2024 7:52 am -

Gorgeous foal alert – and what better way to start a drizzly Badminton week, frankly? Hot Bobo, the 2023 Kentucky CCI4*-S-winning partner of Canada’s Karl Slezak, has now got a redheaded baby on the ground, and while the filly was born a month prematurely, her bloodwork’s looking promising and, as Karl’s partner Katlyn reports, she’s a little fighter like her mother. No names have been decided upon yet, but they’re thinking of ‘Hot Tamale’ for this star of the future, who was born on Cinco de Mayo. There’ll be a long journey ahead for the little one, and her devoted team of people, but we reckon we could see this one lighting up the prize giving at Kentucky 2034!

U.S. Weekend Action

Riga Meadow at Coole Park Combined Test (Millbrook, NY): [Website]  [Results]

Stable View Local Charities H.T. + USEA Interscholastic/Intercollegiate Eventing Championships (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Results]

Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. (Tyler, TX): [Website] [Results]

The Event at Skyline (Mount Pleasant, UT): [Website] [Results]

Waredaca H.T. (Laytonsville, MD): [Website] [Results]

Windridge Farm Spring H.T. (NC): [Website] [Results]

UK International Events

Osberton International I (Worksop, Notts.): [Info / Schedule] [Results]

European FEI Events

Jardy Standard Show (France): [Info / Entries]

Pratoni del Vivaro Standard Show (Italy): [Info / Entries]

Sopot Standard Show (Poland): [Info / Entries]

Your Monday Reading List:

In the world of horses in sport, often the story of those who don’t finish atop the podium is even more fascinating than that of those who do. At this year’s Kentucky Derby, the story that most piqued my interest – and I’m far from alone in that – is the tale of West Saratoga and trainer Larry Demeritte, who is just the second Black trainer to have a horse in the Derby since the ’50s. The 74-year-old is also fighting a battle with cancer and a rare heart disease, but isn’t letting anything slow his roll as he chases his dreams. Dive into the pair’s remarkable story in this piece from The Atlantic.

There are so many ways to get yourself into legal trouble in the horse world. Could a red ribbon in your horse’s tail be one of them? Tying one in has, for as long as anyone can remember, been an easy and visible way to let other riders know that their horse may kick – in effect, it’s a little sign saying ‘give me a bit of space, please’. But could acknowledging your horse’s tendency to reactiveness be the same as admitting guilt if something were to happen to another horse or rider? Horse & Hound caught up with legal experts to find out.

How does it feel when you sit the trot? Do you feel like you’re made of rubber bands, and every part of your body is on the move? Or do you feel tough and hard and still, impervious to any bouncing? And actually, which of those is the right feeling – or is it neither? Dressage pro Amelia Newcomb’s back to help you get the measure of this tough, but essential, skill.

High-flying multi-hyphenate Valerie Pride is Sideline’s newest eventing columnist, and we can’t wait to follow along with her season, her thoughts, and her stories as she continues to navigate balancing judging, coaching, and top-level competition. Here’s her debut column.

Have you got a few dollars or pounds to spare? Here’s a seriously worthy cause for you to consider sharing it with. Stepney Bank Stables, in the northern English enclave of Newcastle, has existed as a pillar of the community for many years, working as a charity to provide support and access to ponies and riding for kids from all sorts of backgrounds. It’s been a lifeline for kids from low-income households, kids struggling with school, neurodivergent kids, and anyone who has a passion and needs a bit of help to see it through. In fact, it was the starting point into horses for Adam Short, best known for being Tom McEwen’s loveable, bloody hilarious, and incredibly talented travelling groom – but now, it’s facing potential closure due to finances. Check out their story, and help them reach their fundraising goal and keep kids in the saddle, here.

Deadline alert! Applications for the 2024 MARS Bromont Rising grant program close today. Click here for all the info and to apply. 

Morning Viewing:

As we head into Badminton week, get to know reigning champ Ros Canter in the latest of LeMieux’s Journey to the Top short documentary features.

Announcing the 2024 #Supergroom Superlative Winners at the Kentucky Three Day Event

By on May 5, 2024 10:00 am -

We all know why the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event is really the best weekend all year… It’s not the top-notch riding or the amazing cross country action. It’s definitely because of the Achieve Equine #Supergroom Superlatives!

While the best riders in the country are competing for a blue ribbon, the best grooms in the country are dueling it out to see who gets nominated for which superlative. This year, we had over 100 nominations from all of you lovely eventing fans, making it a tough choice to pick the best #supergrooms for these nominations.

The superlatives in question were:

  • The Social Media Influencer (the groom that chronicles their riding journey on social media and shares all those good #groomingtipsandtricks)
  • The Hacker (The groom that’s tried all those grooming hacks you find on social media, i.e. ketchup on a white horse, etc)
  • Most Red Bull Consumed
  • Gen Z Groom (The groom anyone over 30 needs a translator to understand what they’re saying. Rider: dressed for dressage Groom: Okay, I see that drip! *After the test* On god, that test was bussin.’)
  • Shiniest Horse

And your winners are….

  • The Social Media Influencer: Alison Bell, groom for Yasmin Ingham
  • The Hacker: Ashley Dodds, groom for Waylon Roberts
  • Most Red Bull Consumed: Mia Braundel, groom for Liz Halliday
  • Gen Z Groom: Myles McLaughlin, groom for Ariel Grald
  • Shiniest Horse: Christina Curiale, groom for Will Faudree

Mia Braundel, groom for Liz Halliday (and 4* rider herself!).

According to the people nominating her, Mia Braundel absolutely needed that Red Bull this past weekend. “Mia Braundel is riding on a horse she has produced up the levels on her own. She is grooming 4 horses for Liz Halliday and her own horse Cashmere.”

Or, as another person said, “Mia Braundel for grooming the most horses annnnd competing herself! She’s AWESOME.”

Mia produced her 17 year old KWPN gelding all the way up through the FEI levels. While they did sadly retire on the cross country course, they put in a solid dressage test with a score that had them sitting in the middle of the pack prior to the jumping phases.

“Whether grooming or riding, just being a part of the event at Kentucky is amazing. It’s one of my favorite events to go to,” Mia said.”

On top of competing her own horse, Mia was also grooming for Liz Halliday and taking care of all four of Liz’s horses for the weekend. “I started working for Liz a little over a year ago, actually right before Kentucky 2023. My favorite part of grooming is definitely taking care of the horses and all of the places you get to go! I’ve gotten to travel all over to so many cool events.”

As a long-time groom for World Champion Yasmin Ingham, Alison is no stranger to coming to Kentucky. “This was my third trip to the states with Banzai and Yaz. I love coming to Kentucky for the 5* because the horses and grooms get treated fantastically and the organisers put a lot of effort into making it a great experience.”

Alison Bell, groom for Yasmin Ingham.

Sticking to the saying, ‘blonds have more fun,’ Alison has traveled all over the world with Yasmin and Banzai du Loir, from Aachen to Pratoni and, of course, to Kentucky. “Grooming for Yaz is great, she’s so easy to work with as she only wants what’s best for the horse.”

Winner of The Hacker #Supergroom Superlative, Ashley Dodds not only grooms for Waylon Roberts, but also runs her own business, Stone Creek Sporthorses. She’s also a USDF Bronze Medalist and events her own horses, WHF Lumiere and Lowland.

“Grooming at Kentucky was very inspirational, to be surrounded by the top riders, horses, and grooms of our sport. Waylon and Ruby have a pretty special partnership, so I loved getting to be a part of their journey and success at Kentucky,” Ashley said. “I enjoy working for Waylon because I am always learning and am very grateful to him for investing in educating me on the care of the horses and what it takes to be at the top of the sport.”

Myles McLaughlin appears to be our youngest groom on the list, rightfully earning the Gen Z Groom Superlative. Grooming for Ariel Grald, Myles rides his Thoroughbred, Felix, in his spare time.

“Grooming at Kentucky was an amazing experience! I grew up watching all these riders on their beautifully turned out horses and now to be behind the scenes is something really special,” Myles said. “I am very honored and appreciative to be given the opportunity to groom for Ariel! She is very understanding and so generous. Her main priority is that her horses are properly taken care of and the rest is secondary. She is someone I have learned a lot from and someone who continues to inspire me.”

Hanna Hartman from Achieve Equine with Ashley Dodds, groom for Waylon Roberts, and Myles McLaughlin, groom for Ariel Grald.

Awarded the #Supergroom Superlative for the Shiniest Horse, Christina Curiale had her work cut out for her this weekend grooming for Will Faudree’s 5* ride, Mama’s Magic Way. We’re not sure if he was inspired by Will’s hot pink suit at the jog, but Mama’s Magic Way did his best impression of a bay-version of the Barbie Dream Horse this weekend, with picture-perfect braids to boot.

Sunday Links from EcoVet

By on May 5, 2024 12:17 am -

A full day of cross country action awaits at Stable View, where alongside a full horse trial are the USEA Interscholastic and Intercollegiate Championships. The USEA is on the ground covering this competition, which makes me sorely miss being in college well before collegiate eventing existed! You can follow along with the latest in the links below. You can also view portions of the competition via Horse & Country here.

8th Annual USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship Kicks Off With 18 Schools Represented
Camaraderie is the Common Theme that Brings IEL Teams Together
Behind the Scenes of the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships Opening Ceremonies

U.S. Weekend Action

Riga Meadow at Coole Park Combined Test (Millbrook, NY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Stable View Local Charities H.T. + USEA Interscholastic/Intercollegiate Eventing Championships (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. (Tyler, TX) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

The Event at Skyline (Mount Pleasant, UT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Waredaca H.T. (Laytonsville, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Windridge Farm Spring H.T. (NC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

UK International Events

Osberton International I (Nottinghamshire) [Info / Schedule] [Entries / Scoring]

European FEI Events

Jardy Standard Show (France) [Info / Entries]

Pratoni del Vivaro Standard Show (Italy) [Info / Entries]

Sopot Standard Show (Poland) [Info / Entries]

Sunday Links

Bobby Costello: Focusing on the Future and Looking Ahead to Paris

With Delivery of Welfare Report, FEI Charts Path Forward at Sports Forum

Brian Hernandez, Ken McPeek Complete Kentucky Derby, Oaks Double In ‘Dream’ 150th Anniversary

Mai Baum is Being Inducted into the Equus Foundation Horse Stars Hall of Fame

Mischief or Malady? Pain Behaviors in Ridden Horses

Sponsor Corner

Bobby Meyerhoff and Lumumba show us how to compete bug-free thanks to Ecovet!

Video Break

In case you missed it, watch the running of the 150th Kentucky Derby, which saw a thrilling and historic three-way photo finish at the end:

Looking Ahead to the Third Edition of the DSP Eventers Auction in Marbach

By on May 4, 2024 10:00 am -

Click the catalog cover to view the full DSP Eventers Auction catalog for 2024.

DSP sales manager Norbert Freistedt can once again approach customers with an excellent collection on May 11, 2024 as the third edition of the DSP Eventers auction will take place as part of the CCI4* in Marbach, Germany.

A highlight of this event will be the auction of one of the last available straws frozen semen from Heraldik xx. The Thoroughbred of the century from the Birkhof Stud has influenced the German and worldwide sport horse breeding with his offspring like no other. Among his many successful children, double Olympic champion Butts Abraxxas, European champion FBW Halunke and the top international athletes Butts Leon, Butts Avedon and TSF Karascada stand out.

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Furthermore, Heraldik xx is also the dam sire of the world’s most successful eventing horse of the last decades, La Biostetique Sam FBW – Michael Jung. His father, the Marbach state stud stallion Stan the Man xx, comes into play at catalog number 1: the licensed 3-year-old stallion Champ by Canoso comes from Sue by Stan the Man xx, who also has another Olympic horse and two times German national champion, Sam the Man / Bodo Battenberg. Champ also comes from an extraordinary dam line: his third dam Galatee, who was internationally successful up to 1.50m with Dirk Ahlmann and Sören von Rönne, bred Toulouse by Toulon, who was Bundeschampion in Warendorf with Hendrik von Eckermann and later had many successes up to 1.60m. The direct maternal line ends in the sixth generation with the mare Kateja III v. Vollkorn xx – Manolete xx, a full sister of the stallion Volturno, who won silver with Otto Ammermann at the Olympic Games in Montreal and the World Championships in Lexington. The 3-year-old champ made his first appearance at the Marbach free jumping competition, where he won the 3-year-old division with an excellent final score of 9.25.

Andrew Nicholson and Nereo at WEG. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Also with famous relatives is the Ramiro B daughter Senorita, whose dam, who was herself a CCI3* eventer, is a full sister to no less than four 5* horses, including Nereo, who won Badminton and Pau with Andrew Nicholson and was fourth individually at the Olympic Games in London. World champion genetics flow in the veins of the 4-year-old, highly talented black Arocan. He is a son of the Akhal-Teke stallion Amadei out of the full sister of fischerRocana, who was vice world champion in Caen with Michael Jung and the most successful eventing horse in the world three times in a row.

A total of nine four-year-old young horses are on offer in the 2024 Eventers auction, including the half-brother of last year’s top price Kronprinzessin, a son of Casskeni II and offspring of Amadei (2), Chubakko, Hickstead White, Quitoll, Vingino and Vivant. Among the 4-year-olds there is Forance v. For Romance I is also an extremely rideable and comfortable dressage offering. Some of the 5-year-old youngsters are already successful in tournaments and come from Casino Berlin, Colorit, Icare D’Olymp and Kamasutra II. The collection is rounded off by three well-supported six-year-old eventing horses, which are recommended for immediate use in eventing shows.

To view more information on the auction, including bidding information, click here. To view the full catalog of horses on offer, click here.

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

By on May 4, 2024 12:01 am -

Sorocaima won $82,396 on the track and just completed his fourth CCI5* with Buck Davidson last weekend, securing their best placing yet. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

It’s another big day for horse sport in the state of Kentucky: it’s Kentucky Derby Day! Similar to Defender Kentucky cross country day, I always like to wish the athletes safe and speedy rides. It’s a big year for the Derby, too — 2024 marks its 150th running.

If you, like me, haven’t actually followed any of the lead-up races to the Derby yet still enjoys watching the most exciting two minutes in sports, don’t worry! EN’s sister site Horse Nation has the cheat sheet that we need to get up to speed and pick a favorite before post time (post time for the Derby is 6:57 p.m. ET, by the way.)

And if you, like me, also have some mixed feelings about Thoroughbred racing, you might find it heartening to read about some of the advances and research into safety measures such as footing (Yes, I did link this article earlier this week, but I found it so interesting I’m linking it again!) And of course there are the wonderful organizations such as the Retired Racehorse Project that help to get the word out and facilitate finding these ultimate equines athlete second careers that they’ll excel at. There have even been a few past Derby contenders that have gone on to have second careers not at stud, but as sport horses.

U.S. Weekend Action

Riga Meadow at Coole Park Combined Test (Millbrook, NY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Stable View Local Charities H.T. + USEA Interscholastic/Intercollegiate Eventing Championships (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. (Tyler, TX) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

The Event at Skyline (Mount Pleasant, UT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Waredaca H.T. (Laytonsville, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Windridge Farm Spring H.T. (NC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

UK International Events

Osberton International I (Nottinghamshire) [Info / Schedule] [Entries / Scoring]

European FEI Events

Jardy Standard Show (France) [Info / Entries]

Pratoni del Vivaro Standard Show (Italy) [Info / Entries]

Sopot Standard Show (Poland) [Info / Entries]

Links to Start Your Weekend:

Myler Bits responds to elimination at Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event

Keeping Pace: What To Say To Your Friends At This Year’s Derby Party

Comfort, Connection And Compassion: Takeaways From An Extraordinary Thoroughbred

Fast Facts: 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships

Larkin Hill Horse Trials Adds More Divisions After Kent Horse Trials’ Cancellation

What To Expect Once You’ve Made the Hardest Decision

Sponsor Corner: The World Equestrian Brands team of riders put in the work at the Kentucky Three Day Event! Check out these awesome action shots of World Equestrian Brands’ riders in action, featuring Buck Davidson, Sharon White, Andrew McConnon, Allison Springer, and Woodge Fulton. All of these riders put their trust in World Equestrian Brands’ collection of tack. Shop here.

Morning Viewing: There was a bit of a hairy moment on cross country last weekend at Defender Kentucky when Susie Berry had a little trouble steering Clever Trick after a. big jump into the Head of the Lake. Amy Dragoo captured the sequence through her lens!

Friday Video Break: Take a Tour of Chateau de Versailles

By on May 3, 2024 12:00 pm -

The famous Chateau des Versailles will be home to all equestrian events during the Olympic Games 2024. In this episode of RIDE presented by Longines on FEI TV, take a tour around the historic grounds that will connect equestrian sport with Parisian culture. It’s going to be a thrilling week in Paris later this summer, and the anticipation is building!

View more of EN’s coverage of the Paris Olympics here.

Harbin Takes It to the Next Level at Kentucky CCI5* with Joe Meyer

By on May 3, 2024 10:00 am -

Joe Meyer and Harbin. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Somewhere buried in my Facebook photos reside some exceptionally poor Sony CoolPix photos from my various trips to what we then called Rolex Kentucky. When I think back to those years and teenaged me, one moment stands out to me for no particular or obvious reason. I was standing at the start box, and New Zealand Olympian Joe Meyer was circling with the great little Thoroughbred gelding, Snip.

There weren’t many other people around, and even Joe didn’t bring an escort down to the start box with him. He quietly walked in a circle as he awaited his countdown, the traditional New Zealand silver fern brushed meticulously onto the gelding’s fleabitten gray coat.

Joe wouldn’t have noticed me on that day, too focused on the task at hand, but for one reason or another, I’ll always remember that moment as one of those “I’ve been hit with the eventing bug” memories.

Embed from Getty Images

So you can imagine my curiosity about another little gray Thoroughbred that Joe purchased a few years back from fellow eventer Rebecca Brown.

While he’s always shown the talent for the top levels and more than a few similarities to his predecessor (“He’s little, he’s nippy, he’s fast, he’s hot,” Joe described), it was last weekend at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event that Harbin would truly burst from “potential” to “confirmed” 5* horse.

Joe Meyer and Harbin finish a clear show jumping at Kentucky. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Joe describes his own and Ruthie Meyer’s, along with Theresa Foote’s Harbin (Verglas – Rainbow City, by Rainbow Quest), who raced in Ireland before coming to the U.S., as “a cross country machine”, but noted that his biggest question coming into Kentucky was whether the horse would handle the nearly-12-minute distance. It’s a question forefront in any rider’s mind as they bring a horse to the level for the first time; you don’t know until you know. Even in the mixed zone following Harbin’s dressage test, Joe was realistic.

“He gallops quite high up, a lot of knee action,” he described the 14-year-old gelding. “So it will be a question of whether that will take it out of him at all.”

He needn’t have worried. In fairness, he had tested Harbin with Long format terrain before: he traveled to the UK in 2023 to compete in the notoriously tough and terrain-heavy Blenheim Palace CCI4*-L (Harbin finished cross country clear with four time penalties there), but of course a 5* is a different animal.

Harbin delivered, though, collecting 9.2 time penalties to otherwise finish his first 5* cross country clear. He’d go on to cement his status as a 5* horse with one of just six jump penalty-free show jumping rounds on Sunday. Joe’s elation on crossing the finish was palpable.

I caught up with him shortly after, still grinning from ear to ear.

Joe Meyer and Harbin. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“He came out feeling amazing today,” he said. “And he was jumping out of his skin, unbelievable. What a little rockstar, and for a little Thoroughbred he’s just awesome.”

Joe recalled the first moments of meeting Harbin, how the gelding did toss him some reminders of Snip. “There’s a couple of little differences, but yeah, that’s why when I had to chance to have him from Rebecca Brown I thought, ‘This could be my horse,’ because I know all about what that kind of horse is. And he’s exactly that: he’s nippy, he’s fast, and you know, he’ll spin you off and things, you always have to have a neck strap on him, but that’s what makes him special. And he tries, I don’t think he knows how to give up, and that’s really huge.”

For the Olympic and World Championship rider, the result also means more personally. Joe’s had several other horses come up the levels following Snip, but he hasn’t quite captured as competitive of 5* results as he did this weekend’s 14th place finish. I wanted to know how this felt to him.

Joe Meyer and Harbin. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“It feels awesome, and like, you know, I’ll probably have to try a bit harder now because he’s got a few more years in him! And I feel like we’ve got a few coming up underneath as well.” Here he notes the longevity of the careers of riders such as Phillip Dutton and Matthew Grayling. “I think it’s all doable. But I do love the sport so much, and it really is inspirational to have a really nice horse and get a good result like this.”

“It’s sort of easy to fade into obscurity a little bit,” Joe continued after a moment. “I mean, you know we work away and we sell horses and we do a lot of other stuff, but it is quite nice to be doing what you want – what you came here to do.”

Harbin jumped super today around his first 5 star. A bobble after the ditch in the coffin so I opted for the long route…

Posted by Joe Meyer on Saturday, April 27, 2024

EN’s coverage of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is presented by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional support for all types of horses. Click here to learn more about Kentucky Performance Products. You can catch up on all of our stories from Kentucky here.

Friday News & Notes from Stable View

By on May 3, 2024 12:01 am -

If you can remember as far back as last Friday, you will remember that Jessica Phoenix and Meghan O’Donoghue were asking for a little help with their Badminton campaign, or more to the point, in paying for their trusty steeds’ flights over here. Well, as you can see, Palm Crescent and Wabbit have made the flight to the UK, and are settling in nicely. Meghan and Jessica have now joined them too, basing with Team Price at Chedington Equestrian ahead of Badminton next week.

Yes, hot off the back of Kentucky, we have just one week to go (actually less now, ‘cos it starts on Wednesday) before we dive right back in to 5* MADNESS. I don’t know about you, but I CAN’T.WAIT. I mean, admittedly, it took me until Wednesday to recover from the excitement of Kentucky, but there is no such thing as too many 5* is there?!

You might want to get a Badminton TV subscription set up, to make sure you catch all of the action as it unfolds, starting with the first trot up on Wednesday afternoon. Standby for yet another edition of the Golden Chinch awards, arguably one of the best parts of of any 5*….There’s loads of other behind the scenes footage on there, as well as coverage from previous years’ event too. It is an INVESTMENT, I’m telling you.

Oh, and we will be bringing you top tier coverage, as per usual. Make sure you add these links to your favourites, grab your favourite snacks and set yourself up for another week of fantastic sport!

MARS Badminton Horse Trials [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Tickets] [Radio Badminton] [Livestream] [Cross Country Course] [EN’s Coverage]

U.S. Weekend Preview

Riga Meadow at Coole Park Combined Test (Millbrook, NY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Stable View Local Charities H.T. + USEA Interscholastic/Intercollegiate Eventing Championships (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. (Tyler, TX) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

The Event at Skyline (Mount Pleasant, UT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Waredaca H.T. (Laytonsville, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Windridge Farm Spring H.T. (NC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

UK International Events

Osberton International I (Nottinghamshire) [Info / Schedule] [Entries / Scoring]

European FEI Events

Jardy Standard Show (France) [Info / Entries]

Pratoni del Vivaro Standard Show (Italy) [Info / Entries]

Sopot Standard Show (Poland) [Info / Entries]

Friday News and Reading

It’s nearly time for the USEA Interscholastic and Intercollegiate Championships, happening this weekend at Stable View! While we’re sad not to be there in person, you can bet the USEA will have tons of content coming your way to celebrate these hardworking young riders of the future. Click here to follow the USEA’s coverage. We’ll also be running press releases from the competition here on EN to help you keep up. Meet the teams here and check out the live stream on Horse & Country here.

Would it even be Friday News and Notes if I wasn’t adding in a podcast recommendation?! I mean, I can’t help it if the EquiRatings Eventing podcast is constantly churning out brilliant shows. This week, our very own Sally Spickard is the guest, reviewing all of the action from Kentucky – the best weekend all year. She and Diarmuid also did a mini episode on Friday night reviewing all of the action from the dressage, so if you want to relive any of that action, they are both well worth a listen. Oh, and if you need a show to prepare you for next week’s event, then there is also a new episode of their ‘Horse of a Lifetime’ series. This time, Piggy March is talking about her phenomenal horse, Vanir Kamira, winner of both Badminton and Burghely. I defy you not to cry.

Speaking of Vanir Kamira, and er, Badminton, she is the latest horse to feature on the Badminton Facebook series ‘Where are they now?’ Turns out that she, like Wesko, has turned her hoof to a new career and is competing with 13 year old Annabelle Wesley in Children on Horses dressage classes. They’re doing pretty well, too – together they have been longlisted for the dressage youth European Championships, in St Margarethen, Austria (16-21 July). Is there no end to this mare’s talent?!

Gosh, Vanir Kamira is getting a lot of coverage here, but this is EXCITING NEWS. Laura Collett – also a Badminton winner – has a couple of Vanir Kamira’s babies…..enter Billy, out of Vanir Kamira, by Jaguar Mail. I mean wow – I can’t wait to see what this guy is capable of! As if that wasn’t exciting enough, Laura has also welcomed his half sister, Bella to her yard. This little lady is by Chilli Morning. Seriously, London 52 better watch his back: the young guns are coming up behind you, and my GOODNESS have they got some talent running through their veins.

I am sure you will all have been and had a sneaky peek at Eric Winter’s Badminton course by now. But, if you want even further assessment of the trickiest fences facing competitors next week, then who better than Eventing royalty, Nicola Wilson, to talk us through them?!

Another appeal to your charitable side now.This time on behalf of Kiwi horsewoman Penny Pearce, who is having, quite frankly, a diabolical time of it. Last year, she lost everything to a Cyclone, and now she has been diagnosed with kidney cancer, which requires a lot of expensive treatment. If you can spare anything, I am sure she will appreciate it. Join us in sending Penny and her family our very best wishes. Everything crossed she manages to get the treatment she needs, and that her luck takes a better turn very soon. Our thoughts are with you and you family, Penny.

Fancy making your equine pals some yummy treats for the weekend?!Well, we got you covered; here are a few recipes to get you started. I mean, why not make them all?! It is the weekend after all.

Sponsor Corner

The prizes are being revealed for the USEA Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Championships at Stable View! Get a sneak peek at these prizes donated by Equestly.

Weekend Watching

Well this is fun! A whistle stop tour of the early history of Badminton Horse Trials. We’re talking proper vintage here…enjoy!

USET Foundation Awards 2024 Jacqueline B. Mars Spring National Competition and Training Grant to Mia Farley

By on May 2, 2024 3:36 pm -

Mia Farley and Phelps. Photo by Sally Spickard.

The 2024 Jacqueline B. Mars National Competition and Training Grant has been awarded to 24-year-old U.S. eventing athlete Mia Farley of Ocala, FL, who finished in 13th place at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L riding her trainer David O’Connor’s 11-year-old thoroughbred, Phelps, by Tiznow.

The national grant is awarded by the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation through the generosity of USET Foundation Honorary Life Trustee Jacqueline B. Mars to support preparation and attendance at a national competition.

The grant awarded to Farley was to prepare for and compete at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Mia Farley and Phelps. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Farley said: “When I was told I had won it three weeks before Kentucky, I was very surprised and thankful. The grant helped with the travel expenses to Kentucky, and I was able to ride with [U.S. Eventing Emerging and Development Coach] Leslie Law a bit more.

“In Kentucky, it assisted with the cost of Phelps’ therapies for the five-star, ensuring he felt his best. The grant is going to be a huge help as I’m pretty limited on funds, and I’m really excited to see what else I can do with it,” she continued. Farley will spend this summer in Lexington, Kentucky, for the first time before returning home to Ocala, Florida. “I plan to use the grant to improve, particularly in the show jumping, with Phelps. I’m hoping to do another long-format with him this fall.”

The annual grant aims to support the Eventing Pathway Programs’ goal of sustainable success on the world stage. Specifically, these grants are designed to assist athlete/horse combinations already competing at four-star level to achieve Pre-Elite or Elite Program criteria within the next 12 months.

Mia Farley and Phelps. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“To young riders who are in a similar situation with limited funds, grants like this and surrounding yourself with good people mean that anything is possible. On days when it doesn’t feel possible, it’s inspiring to be able to apply for these grants and look forward to the opportunities they can provide,” added Farley.

The Jacqueline B. Mars National Competition and Training Grants provide training and competition resources for U.S. athletes who have never competed on an Eventing Olympics or FEI World Championships Team and have earned, via results and potential, the opportunity to travel to another part of the country to compete.

For additional information or to support the USET Foundation and the U.S. equestrian athletes headed to the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, visit https://www.uset.org/donate/.

Focus On the Horses: A Documentary with Will Coleman Equestrian

By on May 2, 2024 12:00 pm -

We enjoyed this short documentary following Will Coleman ahead of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, his and his team’s focus on their horses wellbeing and care always paramount to any discussion. Follow Will and take a few notes, and catch up on more Kentucky videos on the USEF YouTube channel here.