Classic Eventing Nation

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

Wine & Ride: Adult Summer Eventing Camp … With a Twist

By on Oct 17, 2018 11:30 am -

Photo courtesy of Juli Hutchings.

Drinking and EventClinics.com do not mix well — or perhaps they mix extremely well, depending upon who you ask. On the Fourth of July, after several American beers (I’m a patriot), I was scrolling through my predominately horse-related Facebook feed when I came across an Event Clinics post about an adults-only summer eventing camp at Appleton Equestrian with four-star rider Waylon Roberts called Wine & Ride.

Last year, I did a week-long cross country camp in Ireland that was life-changing fun, so another camp — and this one in Maryland, my backyard — sounded like a great idea. I love wine, I love riding, and I definitely decided in that moment that I loved Waylon Roberts as well. I sent a very non-committal email asking about the camp’s available horses and within an hour — just enough time for a few more drinks — I had a response that yes they had horses for me, and there was only one spot left. ONE SPOT LEFT! They got me. I signed up and put my phone down, mentally noting that I’d have camp at the end of August.

For the past few months I’d been very casually horse shopping. I’d been leasing for about six months and wanted my own project but was having a hard time justifying the leap from leasing responsibilities to ownership. Unfortunately for my bank account, a few days after I signed up for camp I stumbled upon my ideal horse. I knew right away that he was the horse for me. It was a hectic swirl of vet checks and checkbooks and trailering schedules. Driving straight to an out-of-town wedding after tucking my new horse in his new stall, I got a reminder call about camp the following week. Turns out my mental note for camp at the end of August was off by a month.

So I did what any level-headed horsewoman would do and made plans to bring my new 5-year-old Thoroughbred, off the track for about four months, to summer camp. And then of course he threw a shoe, which meant I got to ride him a grand total of one time before camp. But, off we went anyway, to a camp that turned out to be 3+ hours away and past three very expensive toll stations (guys, seriously, trailering on toll roads is the WORST). There is nothing quite as terrifying as driving behind the trailer hauling your new, precious horse. You want to bubble wrap the trailer. You want to take over all surrounding lanes and force people to give the trailer space. You curse and you pray and you promise never to do it again — or is this just me?

Mimosas and coffee cake to kick start the day! Photo courtesy of Juli Hutchings.

Luckily this camp was called Wine & Ride so the first day started with mimosas, which helped to calm my post-haul nerves. There were shots involved as well. I think they were blue. We then tacked up for a dressage lesson which was simple but just what I needed. It was our first off-property ride and my new baby horse was an angel. No spooking, no misbehaving with the four other horses in the ring, no funny business. I was elated. I got just enough feedback to feel hopeful for the training to come, but not enough to be overwhelmed.

Photo courtesy of Juli Hutchings/Laura Reiman.

As I left the barn I felt a little hesitant. I didn’t like leaving my horse in a new place, and his stall door was slightly shorter than I felt comfortable with. I know that overnight stabling is something I need to get used to for shows and clinics, but it was hard leaving him that first night. It didn’t help that by morning he had gotten bored, peed on his hay and moved on to chewing on the front of his stall door. It was mortifying (sorry Appleton!).

Photo courtesy of Laura Reiman.

The day got more mentally taxing when we saddled up for a three-hour trail ride. Earlier in the summer I had taken a nasty fall on a trail … at the walk … and gotten a major concussion. Still working through my issues, I spent the next three hours freaking out about new situation overload while my baby horse acted like a seasoned trail pony. We galloped fields, went over bridges, through tunnels, over streams, and tied the horses to a post for lunch. By the end of the ride my horse was leading everyone home on a loose rein.

Picnic trail ride. Photo courtesy of Juli Hutchings.

We untacked and went to a Paint & Sip party where we got to drink wine and paint portraits of our horses. I felt like I was back in horse camp as a kid and I loved it.

Painting with a Twist! Photo courtesy of Juli Hutchings.

The day three jumping clinic with Waylon Roberts was the highlight for me. The focus was gymnastics, with a line that progressed from poles to a bounce, one-stride, bounce. We went from destroying all the poles, to destroying all the jumps, to having a nice clean line of five jumps. It was a great experience to learn with the other girls in the clinic and to feel the changes in myself and my horse in just one hour. Everything I heard at the clinic was something my trainer at home had said over and over to me, but there is something unique about hearing it reiterated from a new voice.

After the clinic was over, I felt like the homesick kid at camp calling my parents and begging to be picked up. We had one more days on the schedule but I had reached max capacity. The weather had been scorching hot, I’d had a bit too much wine at Paint & Sip the night before and had hit rock bottom when I found myself sitting in my car eating Taco Bell outside of the Hampton Inn. I called my trainer and got picked up that night. My horse had been smart, kind and brave all weekend, and I wanted him to be able to run in the field that night with his friends. I may have left a bit early, but I left with a jumpstart on building a strong relationship with my new partner … and also maybe with a hangover.

Photo courtesy of Juli Hutchings.

Four American Pairs Entered for Pau CCI4*

By on Oct 17, 2018 8:25 am -

Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Entries have been confirmed for Les Etoiles de Pau CCI4*, which will take place Oct. 24-28 in France. There are 65 total combinations entered, including four from the U.S. and one Aussie we claim as our own.

Here are the American pairs making the trip to France:

  • Hallie Coon and Celien, an 11-year-old KWPN mare (Tenerife VDL X R Quicksilver, by Hamlet) owned by Helen Coon
  • Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding (Lupicor X Jarda, Elcaro) owned by John and Kristine Norton
  • Boyd Martin and Steady Eddie, a 15-year-old New Zealand Thoroughbred gelding (Jetball X Tudnela) owned by George and Gretchen Wintersteen and Denise Lahey and Pierre Colin
  • Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Diamond Roller X Whos Diaz, by the Cross Syndicate) owned by The Cross Syndicate

Our honorary American, Ryan Wood, actually represents Australia but has been based in the States since 2008. He will ride Woodstock Bennett, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Shannondale Sarco X Ponail Belle, by Beau Royale) owned by Curran Simpson, in the horse’s CCI4* debut.

The entry list is one of the strongest we have seen from Pau in recent years and includes a formidable British contingent led by World Champion Ros Canter with Zenshera. Past Pau winner William Fox-Pitt will also compete with CCI4* debutant Little Fire.

Click here to view the Pau CCI4* entry list. Go Eventing.

[Les Etoiles de Pau CCI4* Website]

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Oct 17, 2018 1:00 am -

View this post on Instagram

Perfect. #fairhillready

A post shared by Megkep (@megkep) on

Who else is #fairhillready? This guy is. That is the look of the eagles right there. Or at least the look of an eagle who just woke up from a nap and he can’t quite remember where he is or what is going on, but is definitely ready for SOMETHING. Especially if it’s a snack. Or a snuggle. Best of luck in the CCI2*, Meg and Anakin! US Equestrian posted a neat feature on Meg, Nicole Aden and Andi Lawrence, three current or former eventing grooms who have found their own success in national and FEI eventing competitions, yesterday — be sure to check it out here.

The Fair Hill action kicks off today starting with the CCI first horse inspection at 1 p.m. EST. Dressage will start at 8 a.m. EST on both Thursday and Friday. Click here to view the full event schedule. Keep an eye on EN for all the latest action from Fair Hill v. 30.0!

National Holiday: National Pasta Day (Did you know that there are over 600 known pasta shapes?)

Major Events This Week:

Fair Hill Links: Website, Drawn Order, 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 Wednesday News & Notes:

You need Fair Hill facts, and you need ’em fast! The USEA is here for you. A good one: “No rider who has won the CCI3* in the last six years is entered this year – on any horse. You have to go back to 2011 when Boyd Martin won aboard Yin Yang Yo to find a chance for a repeat winner. Martin has two entries in the CCI3* this year: Long Island T and Ray Price.” The field is wide open … who will we see crowned champion this year? [Fast Facts: 2018 Fair Hill International]

This year’s USEA Annual Meeting & Convention will focus on officials, but the schedule is split up into three different tracks: “Eventers,” Events,” and “USEA.” We got a preview of the “Eventers” track yesterday, which features presentations and open forums on topics ranging from conditioning and first aid certification to volunteers and amateur riders.This year’s meeting, featuring the USEA’s Eventing Hall of Fame, takes place at the Sheraton New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana, Dec. 6-9. [2018 USEA Convention Track Preview: Eventers]

Do you hack out on roads? It’s not quite as common a practice here in the States as it is in the UK, but for those who do, Horse & Hound offers a timely reminder to make yourself visible to drivers. With days shortening and daylight savings just around the corner, stay safe out there on the mean streets! [‘You must be seen’: picture of dark riders sparks road safety warning]

Irish eventer Jonty Evans’ recovery continues, slowly but surely. “It’s biting off bite-sized chunks out of a big pie,” Jonty says. “All the therapists say I’m doing remarkably well; they’re incredibly impressed with my improvement but they say it’s very definitely one step at a time.” [‘One step at a time’ for injured eventer Jonty Evans]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: safety | performance | innovation

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Our background is in science and technology, and this has enabled us to create and develop carefully balanced products that perform consistently in any climate. We continue to invest in research and development to provide riding surfaces that perform day after day, week after week.

We use innovative scientific testing to characterize these properties so we can use objective assessment to create truly exceptional footing for the safety and well being of your horse.

We collaborate with the world’s leading independent equestrian surface academics to ensure we remain at the forefront of both technical and governance developments.

We are chem nerds and we are proud of it.

But we’re not just scientists. We have been an integral part of the equestrian community for over 25 years, working with amateurs and professionals, Olympians and Pan Am medal winners, and equine assisted therapy programs.

Hundreds and hundreds of installations later, from dressage courts to jump arenas, round pens and gallops, we believe we have the best and safest footing solutions available today.

Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today? Please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

Tuesday Video from SpectraVet: 30 Years of Fair Hill

By on Oct 16, 2018 5:00 pm -

Fair Hill International has been a staple on the calendars of U.S. riders for three decades — that’s right, the iconic Maryland event is celebrating it’s 30th Anniversary this week. Above you can see every single winner from this prestigious event.

This event has been there through major changes of our sport — from roads and tracks to the shortened format as we know it. This blast from the past is brought to you by RNS Video who helped produced this hour long piece for cable television in 1993, the year David O’Connor and Wilton Fair won (Their ride starts at 3:40). Enjoy, and find more on RNS Video’s YouTube Page.

Why SpectraVET?

Reliable. Effective. Affordable.

SpectraVET is committed to providing only the highest-quality products and services to our customers, and to educating the world in the science and art of laser therapy.

We design and manufacture the broadest range of clinically-proven veterinary therapeutic laser products, which are represented and supported worldwide by our network of specialist distributors and authorized service centers.

Let’s Discuss: Are You Aiming for the 2019 AEC? Sound-Off + Qualification Details!

By on Oct 16, 2018 3:00 pm -

2018 AEC Jr. Beginner Novice champions Ella Robinson and Fernhill Fearless des Terdrix. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

The 2019-2020 American Eventing Championships are coming to the Kentucky Horse Park … raise your hand (and tell us in the comments) if you’re going to be there!

In the President’s Letter of the latest issue of Eventing USA magazine, USEA prez Carol Kozlowski says that she has a bet going with CEO Rob Burk and Director of Programs/Marketing Kate Lokey that “we’re going to break all AEC entry records in 2019. I’m counting on everyone’s support here as I’ve got dinner riding on this wager as my last AEC president… Get going, get qualified and get there! It’s going to be a blow out, and I’m going to do everything I can to be riding there myself!”

Love ya Rob and Kate, but I’ve got to come down on the side of Carol on this one. Come next fall you guys are going to be buying that lady dinner, and I hope she orders the porterhouse. The AEC at Tryon International Equestrian Center was huge, but I think Kentucky is going to be even bigger. It’s the Horse Park! It’s hallowed ground. For those of us who aren’t four-star riders (*cough* most of us), this is our chance for a moment of glory in Rolex Stadium.

The 2019 USEA American Eventing Championships will take place Aug. 27 – Sept. 1, 2019. First things first: You’ve gotta qualify. The qualifying period is May 28, 2018 – August 19, 2019. There are a few qualification updates for this year, which you can check out here. View the full qualifications for here; for additional explanation of the rules in Appendix 3, click here.

So, roll call: Who’s going?

Off Topic Tuesday: 5 Random and/or Ridiculous Equine Pop Culture References

By on Oct 16, 2018 1:00 pm -

One of my favorite things when I’m watching a TV show or movie, reading a book, or listening to music is the sometimes random occurrence of a horse. Now, I’m not talking about Mr. Ed, War Horse, The Saddle Club TV show, or one of numerous equine-focused book series. I’m talking about the random pop-up of equines in otherwise-unrelated pop culture.

Usually these instances of random equine stories are a romantic horse and carriage ride and/or a horse poop joke. Yet, there are some pieces of pop culture that feature our favorite animal in utterly odd ways.

Bojack Horseman

Bojack Horseman is a Netflix, animated, dark comedy about an aging sitcom star, who is an anthropomorphized horse. His hit show in the ’90s was Horsin’ Around, a Full House-esque show about a horseman who adopts three orphans … shenanigans ensue. As this review of Horsin’ Around illustrates, there’s nothing this show likes better than puns.

We all know there's no such things as too many horse puns

Photo credit: Netflix.

“Not to be a neigh-sayer but this family sitcom is so saddled with lame horse-themed puns it might have to be put out to pasture. Ratings remain stable despite the unbridled mediocrity of the acting and hackneyed, half-assed writing. The syrupy plots should be sent straight to the glue factory. If wishes were horses, beggars would beg to watch a different show. Frankly the pony gags tend to yield diminishing returns and the mane attraction of this rodeo is the talented young actress Sarah Lynn, who performance might shine if she were given better material. Skip this season and change the channel to a horse of a different color.”

In a recent season 5 episode, “Bojack the Feminist,” Bojack is going along with a PR strategy for his new show that includes being a ‘male feminist’ wearing a shirt with the slogan “Feminism is Bay” [here’s a primer on the bae meme, for anyone who is behind the internet times].

Photo credit: Netflix.

For being a show that’s literally about a horse, his equine nature doesn’t come up very often. However, there is a whole subplot about him being cast as the eponymous role in the Secretariat biopic.

Chestnut (2 Broke Girls)

Photo credit: Cliff Lipson/CBS.

Bringing up another bay that should be a chestnut … there is a horse character in the CBS sitcom 2 Broke Girls. The premise of the show is obvious in the title. One of the broke girls used to be a rich Manhattan socialite, so obviously she had a horse: a champion jumper named Chestnut (yes, even though he’s bay).

Photo credit: Cliff Lipson/CBS.

Chestnut lives in the middle of Brooklyn, in an apartment courtyard, no matter the weather. The plausibility of the storyline aside (Where does all the manure go? Who is their hay provider? Does he need wormer in the city?), the broke girls love Chestnut and end up finding a more responsible living situation for him later in the series.

Full House finale episode: “Michelle Rides Again”

Over the years there were a few equine stories on Full House, but who could forget the finale episode. For those who weren’t children in the ’90s. the Full House finale featured the youngest Tanner, Michelle (played alternately by the Olsen twins), falling off her pony in the woods instead of competing in the hunter show with her friend.

Michelle ends up having amnesia from the concussion (don’t worry, in true Full House fashion, she regains her memories and everyone is happy).

It’s a bit of a stretch as far as horse storylines go, however, the episode does portray some of the pressure of a horse show well.

Beyoncé

A rule I live by is that any pop-culture list must include Beyoncé. She is the ruling queen of American media and must be treated as such. My personal favorite equine-and-Beyoncé moment is the money shot in her “Who Run the World (Girls)” music video…

via GIPHY

A gorgeous, rearing, black Friesian … I mean, what little horse-obsessed kid can’t relate to this image of empowerment.

Honorable mention: Science also named a horsefly after Beyonce because of its “spectacular gold color.” Now I know horseflies are not friends of our actual horses, but they are extremely important pollinators for the environment!

Honorable Honorable mention: Bojack Horseman featured a Beyonce and Jay-Zebra pun

Lil Sebastian (Parks and Recreation)

Screenshot: Netflix.

No equine pop culture list would be complete without a mention of Li’l Sebastian. Anyone who has watched the tv show Parks and Recreation will appreciate the grand importance of this miniature horse to the residents of Pawnee, Indiana.

Most of the shows Li’l Sebastian related humor is how everyone absolutely loves him except for the town transplant, Ben Wyatt (played by Adam Scott).

Li’l Sebastian also gets a song written about him by Andy (played by everyone’s favorite dinosaur wrangler, Chris Pratt).

While this is not a comprehensive list, it’s a few of my favorites. Let me know what random equine occurrences I missed and that you love!
Go Eventing.

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Seasons of Change

By on Oct 16, 2018 11:00 am -

Fall seems to be the season most often associated with change. Perhaps it’s the turning leaves that provides such a brilliant visual reminder of transition and makes us ruminate upon the fluidity of life this time of year in particular. Our Weekly OTTB Wishlist presented by Cosequin routinely highlights three Thoroughbreds who are going through a season of change in their own lives as they look to begin their transition to new careers; this installment is no exception.

Okay, that’s definitely enough introspection for one day, let’s get to the horses. Here are this week’s three picks, all from CANTER USA:

Congaree’s Key. Photo via CANTER PA.

Congaree’s Key (CONGAREE – KEY DEFINITION, BY GENTLEMEN (ARG)): 2013 16.1-hand New York-bred mare

It’s easy to look past the rough sorrel coat of this mare to see how nicely she’s put together and what a lovely sporthorse she might make. Congaree’s Key has been running in Maiden Claiming races for years clearly without much success at all, but that doesn’t mean a different sport isn’t right up her alley. Even though she never won any races, she still appears to have a bottomless fuel tank and some serious athletic potential. To boot, she’s a sweet and personable mare in the barn, wanting attention and to make friends with everyone who passes by her stall.

Located in Grantsville, Pennsylvania.

View Congaree’s Key on CANTER PA.

Baytown Peaches. Photo via CANTER KY.

Baytown Peaches (AWESOME PATRIOT – PRIVATE SPANISH, BY SPANISH STEPS): 2016 15.0-hand Pennsylvania-bred gelding

This little bay gelding’s names is Peaches and he’s cute as a button! At two-years-old, he’s made two starts and has absolutely zero interest in racing. That’s OK, the better to take him home and stick him in your barn! While he’s not keen on racing, his trainer says he should be able to easily transition to a new career. Right now he’s a little guy, but he should still grow a bit more given some time. He is said to be sound and has no bad habits, so if you’re in the market for a young prospect to restart, Baytown Peaches could be just the one!

Located in Lexington, Kentucky.

View Baytown Peaches on CANTER KY.

Magic Messi. Photo via CANTER PA.

Magic Messi (ACTIVIST – ELUSIVE JO JO, BY ELUSIVE QUALITY): 2015 16.1-hand Pennsylvania-bred gelding

This one is for the soccer fans out there! Named for Lionel Messi, the Argentinian superstar who captains FC Barcelona, perhaps this Messi could be your next superstar? This is another young horse with exactly two starts and zero interest in racing, but maybe he’s destined for greatness in a different career? This tall, dark and handsome sweetie looks ready to make some magic happen for you if you train him up right.

Located in Grantsville, Pennsylvania.

View Magic Messi on CANTER PA.

Fair Hill Drawn Order Goes Live with Kieffer and Knowles as Pathfinders

By on Oct 16, 2018 8:55 am -

Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

The drawn order has been posted for the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International, which starts tomorrow with the first horse inspection in Elkton, Maryland. A total of 66 horses in the CCI2* and 44 horses in the CCI3* will be presented to the ground juries.

Allie Knowles is the only rider in the CCI2* with three horses entered and will serve as pathfinder with Ms. Poppins, as well as the final rider in the division with Morswood.

Five riders have two entries in the CCI3*, and Lauren Kieffer has the honor of going first and last for the division. Landmark’s Monte Carlo will serve as pathfinder for the CCI3*, while Vermiculus will be the last horse on Derek di Grazia’s course on Saturday.

Click here to view the full drawn order for both the CCI2* and CCI3*.

Fair Hill also serves as the USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships, with 14 horses entered in the 4-year-old Championships and 42 horses entered in the 5-year-old Championships. View the drawn order for the YEH Championships here.

The action kicks off tomorrow at Fair Hill starting with the CCI first horse inspection at 1 p.m. EST. Dressage will start at 8 a.m. EST on both Thursday and Friday. Click here to view the full event schedule.

USEF Network will be broadcasting the CCI3* this year, with dressage and show jumping recorded live and available to watch online later in the day. CCI3* cross country will stream live on Saturday.

Keep it locked on EN for everything you need to know from Fair Hill. Go Eventing.

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