Classic Eventing Nation

Friday News & Notes from Kentucky Equine Research

By on Oct 19, 2018 1:00 am -

Always proud to see eventers out there keeping the insanity in the middle, right where it’s supposed to be. The annual Team Challenge component of the Hagyard Midsouth Three-day Event, taking place this week at Kentucky Horse Park, always seems to bring out the delightful irreverence in our ranks — the team names are the best part, really. A few of our favorite team names for 2018:

Fire Breathing Rubber Chickens
We’re Here for the Party
Smells Like Team Spirit
Dude, Where’s Our Horse?
Bad Intentions
Hoofin’ 4 Hooters
Jager Bombs
Not Fast Just Furious
Halt. Salue. BREATHE!
Heels Down, Bottoms Up
MSEDA Mavens of Mayhem
Will Ride for Wine
Eventing Ninjas
IEA Resting Awesome Face
Damsels in Dressage
Run Like The Winded
The Wrong Diagonals
Trotting Tootsies
Disney Villians
For Fox Sake
Dream Crushers
MSEDA BN Queens
Canada, Eh?
IV Insanity
Baby Got Tack
Hold My Drink
In it for the Swag
50 Shades of Neigh

I’m dying. Check ’em all out here. And best of luck!

National Holiday: National Kentucky Day

Major Events This Week:

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

Hagyard Midsouth Three-day Event & Team Challenge H.T.: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage

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]

Your Friday News & Notes:

British Eventing (BE) is raising entry fees and prize money in 2019. Both will increase by 2.25% for BE affiliated events, an amount calculated with respect to inflation factors for organizers. [British Eventing to increase entry fees and prize money in 2019]

Win a VIP trip-for-two to this year’s FEI Dressage World Cup final in Gothenburg through a new mobile app that puts you in the judge’s seat. FEI eLeague Dressage, developed with tech giant SAP, enables fans to score riders’ performances, creating audience scores and rankings in real time. Now users can collect points by participating, with a winner to be announced after the last qualifier in the Western European League season at ‘s-Hertogenbosch in March 2019. [Win a Trip to Gothenburg Final with eLeague Dressage]

Tired of fighting a nappy horse? “We do show jumping and cross country regularly and she can love it and fly round or she can just refuse to walk and when I try and push her forward she will either go backwards or refuse to move.” So frustrating! UK-based trainer Jason Webb of Australian Horse Training offers some advice. [How can I stop my horse from napping?]

Young Event Horse East Coast Championship course preview! Course designer Trish Gilbert says she crafted the YEH jumping course to provide a comprehensive test of a young event horse’s ability to tackle different cross country and show jumping questions. The USEA takes us on a spin around this year’s course. [The Ultimate Young Event Horse Test: Preview the YEH Championships Jumping Course]

Hot on Horse Nation: The 10 Stages of Horse Shopping

Just in on Jumper Nation: WATCH — Brian Moggre Dazzles Crowd to Win 2018 Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final

YEH Class of 2018: Quality Obsession & R River Star Top YEH East Coast Championship

By on Oct 18, 2018 8:14 pm -

Tim Bourke and Quality Obsession. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

The YEH Class of 2018 is something special here at the USEA YEH East Coast Championship. Drool-worthy prospects with talent coming out all ends, this group of horses are pure class, with valedictorians Quality Obsession and R River Star topping the pack.

Tim Bourke’s Quality Obsession, a Dutch Warmblood mare by Zambessi, is the day one leader of the 5-year-old Championship after earning a score of 24.19% (out of 30%), with the true highlight being the mare’s conformation score of 8.95 (out of 10), which was the best of the day.

It’s clear from how Tim describes her, this mare is special — he says one of the favorite young horses he’s had. She’s taken patience in her development, but he sees the potential.

“The goals of this competition is to show off a horse for the future, so that’s what we went for,” Bourke said. “It’s a real horse—probably one of the best ones I have. This one is pretty special—real brave, good jumper. I’ve taken my time with her more than any other horse that I’ve ever had.”

Tim is a big proponent of the YEH program, and we’re excited to see him here this weekend also in the CCI2* with YEH graduate Quality Time.

Tamie Smith and MB MaiStein. Photo by Jessica Duffy/USEA.

Tamie Smith was second MB MaiStein, who is making his first east coast appearance. The Oldenburg gelding by Rocky Lee had the best dressage score of the day on 16.46 for a total score of 23.96.

Mike Pendleton and Miss Lulu Herself. Photo by Jessica Duffy/USEA.

Bonnie Stedt’s Miss Lulu Herself is third in the class ridden by Mike Pendleton. Bred by Boyd Martin, the Hanoverian mare (Stolzenfels x Noisette) sits on 23.96%.

Courtney Cooper and R River Star. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Courtney Cooper’s R River Star was the best of the 4-year-olds on 24.75%. This is a Irish Sport Horse/Dutch Warmblood gelding by Riverman and out of R Star. He was bred by Courtney and Neal Camens.

Colleen Rutledge and Like This. Photo by Jessica Duffy/USEA.

Colleen Rutledge’s most recent sight-unseen purchase is working out swimmingly as the second-placed 4-year-old. Like This is a Mecklenburg gelding by Do It and out of Ballerina II. He was sourced by JM Durr in Ireland, and landed in the U.S. just two months ago.

“Considering this atmosphere almost always lights them up, I’m completely happy with what I have,” she said. “There’s a massive room for improve for improvement. He truly is 4, he’s gangly, he’s still a little unbalanced the raw basics are there and he’s only going to get better on them. He is pretty fantastic.”

These young horses will be judged on their jump and gallop tomorrow in the Saw Mill Field. The 4-year-olds start at 8 a.m. and the 5-year-olds start at 10:16 a.m. You can check out a course preview on the USEA’s website. Their jumping will be weighed much more heavily this year with tomorrow’s score counting for 70% of their total (up from 50% in previous years), so we’re ready to see this field go! Rumor has it USEA CEO Rob Burk will be out there serving mimosas, so come on by if you’re visiting Fair Hill.

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

 

 

 

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.

View this post on Instagram

Accepted CCI1*! #bossinova #trotup #mcconnoneventing

A post shared by Andrew McConnon (@andrewsmcconnon) on

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.

View this post on Instagram

Dinner at Malone’s accepted. PC: @rachellynncreative

A post shared by Laura Crowl (@llcrowl_uky_) on

View this post on Instagram

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

A post shared by Kendahl Holden (@tateventing) on

View this post on Instagram

accepted✔️

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

View this post on Instagram

Bad Moon Rising accepted✔️

A post shared by kena_shea_knott (@kena_shea_knott) on

View this post on Instagram

Title Contender accepted into the 3 Day ✅

A post shared by Nicole Maynard (@nicole_maynard_) on

View this post on Instagram

5o1 Macintosh accepted 😊☑️

A post shared by Julia Spatt (@jcs_eventing) on

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

Elevate® Maintenance Powder was developed to provide a highly bioavailable source of natural vitamin E to horses. Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, limits the damage caused by everyday oxidative stress. It maintains healthy muscle and nerve functions so horses are more likely to perform better and recover faster after training or competing.

Vitamin E requirements vary from situation to situation. Multiple research studies have shown that vitamin E is often deficient in the diets of horses that do not have access to continual grazing on fresh green grass, or those grazing on winter pasture. Performance horses with demanding workloads, growing horses and seniors can be exposed to increased levels of oxidative stress and therefore require higher levels of vitamin E in their diets. Studies reveal that horses challenged by neurological disease benefit from natural vitamin E supplementation.

The horse that matters to you matters to us®. Not sure which horse supplement best meets your horse’s needs? Kentucky Performance Products, LLC is here to help. Contact us at 859-873-2974 or visit our website at KPPusa.com.