Classic Eventing Nation

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

By on Oct 4, 2018 12:03 am -

Oh. My. God.

Ok, so my horse took off half his face in the trailer ride to Kentucky (cool, bro) BUT once he actually got to the park, I took him on two rides and he was totally relaxed and chilled out for both of them! We got to school in all the arenas, and hack around the outside of the cross country fence and even walk by some of the permanent 4* fences. Most importantly, we got to walk down the pathway into the Rolex Arena, and I could barely contain a smile from my face. He doesn’t even know how cool it is to be able to do that.

National Holiday:  National Taco Day

Major Events This Week:

Morven Park CIC & HT: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Live Results

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Kent School Fall H.T. [Website]  [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

WindRidge Farm Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Middle Tennessee Pony Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Heritage Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Willow Draw Charity H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Woodside C.I.C. & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Spokane Sport Horse Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

The Event at Skyline H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Osberton Horse Trials raised £7,120 toward Jonty Evans’ rehabilitation last weekend. Jonty was the guest of honor of Osberton’s third annual Equestrian of Sport fundraiser evening, where he was met with cheers and a standing ovation. “My long term goal is to ensure we have provision set up for when accidents such as Jonty’s occur,” said Stuart Buntine, Director of BEDE Events. “we operate in a dangerous sport and we must do all we can to support our athletes.” The event’s headlining CCI2* competition was won Izzy Taylor with Conguistador II; she also placed third on Liscarrow Conista. [H&H: Jonty Evans walks into his own fundraiser, eventing fans amazed]

Several successful 2018 WEG equestrians are now up against a new contest. The USOC’s Team USA monthly awards feature a smattering of equestrians across three categories: Laura Graves and Rebecca Hart for Female Athlete of the Month, McLain Ward for Male Athlete of the Month, and the U.S. Show Jumping Team for Team of the Month. Go vote! [Team USA Best of September 2018]

Best of the Blogs: Area III eventer and EN essayist Katherine McDonough’s horse Red has been out with an abscess for a couple weeks, but Katherine recently went and one-upped him by tearing a tendon in her ankle. Smack dab in the middle of event season, and with 96 days between surgery and a two week hiking trip in New Zealand that she’s been planning for ages. Katherine’s horse friends immediately stepped up to lend a hand, and she has now started a blog: “I’ve never done a blog before. I thought it might be a way for me to help myself along the way. Provide an outlet. Keep me accountable. To log the victories and defeats. And when I’m feeling down, I can look back at where I was and how far I’ve come in the process.” Here’s to a swift recovery, Katherine! [96 Days]

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Elvis the Cob’s New Lease on Life

By on Oct 3, 2018 6:00 pm -

World Horse Welfare is an international horse charity dedicated to improving the lives of horses in the UK and around the world. Through education, campaigning and hands-on care, World Horse Welfare envisions a world “where every horse is treated with respect, compassion and understanding.”

One component of their mission is rescuing and rehoming horses who have been neglected or mistreated. After re-invigorating their mind, body and soul during rehabilitation, horses are tried and placed into loving, approved homes. One such horse is Elvis, a now 7-year-old cob who was terribly neglected. He was saved from his situation by the World Horse Welfare and ultimately found his new mom, Emma Hopkinson, who just happens to be an eventer!

Watch Elvis’ transformation and how much he loves his new life. For more success stories, visit World Horse Welfare’s Youtube Channel (grab the tissues, first!). Learn more about World Horse Welfare and their mission here.

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.

#EventerProblems Vol. 161 from Ecovet: The Color Purple

By on Oct 3, 2018 2:00 pm -

My childhood cross country colors were turquoise and purple, which gave way to a goth all-black young rider phase, which gave way to the conservative era of adulthood. My current cross country color scheme is “whatever shirt is clean + grab a saddle pad, any saddle pad” — as a frazzled 30-something I’m doing well just to remember to pack the horse in the trailer, much less coordinate matching outfits.

Some eventers among us, however, never outgrew bright, youthful color schemes and a dedication to rocking them at every possible opportunity, and bless them for it.

A few purple-ish Instagram posts that jumped out at me this week:

View this post on Instagram

All kidding aside, even with all her princess moments, this horse really is a once in a lifetime partner💜💜💜 not a bad way to finish out our first recognized HT in over a year, coming in 10th with only 1.6 time on xc(oops) and 1 rail sj(again…oops). No matter how long it takes us, I know we'll get where we're going. So proud of her….especially for tolerating the rain. Ohhhhh how she HATES the rain😂😂😂 I think the fury over the rain made her jump that much better though😜 huge thanks to @stubbenna @stuebben_eu for making such a wonderfully beautiful and perfect Zaria Optimum with purple accents for me and my princess. Couldn't have ridden this weekend the way I did without it💜💜💜 PC: my mom…#mypersonalpaparazzi #releasethedragon #onceinalifetime #lovemyhorse #oneinamillion #ponysgothops #nextbigthing #justkeepgoing #gofastjumpbig #killingit #Stübben #stübbenzariaoptimum #stübbenforlife #iamthedragonrider #readytogoagain #eventersofinstagram #eventerproblems

A post shared by Jessica Solo (@precision_stride_eventing) on

A dedication to the color purple isn’t what I’d call an #EventerProblem. It’s an #EventerBlessing, making our sport a more vibrant place to be.

This week’s edition of #EventerProblems goes out to the fashionistas. EN salutes you.

Go Eventing!

Boekelo CCIO3* Entries Go Live With 82 Combinations, 3 American Pairs

By on Oct 3, 2018 12:18 pm -

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z will return to Boekelo for a second consecutive year. Photo by Jenni Autry.

After madly refreshing the Military Boekelo website all morning, we’ve been rewarded with an entry list. Entries closed yesterday, and we have 82 combinations slated to contest the CCIO3* Nations Cup Final next week in Enschede, Netherlands.

Three American pairs are entered:

  • Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z, a 10-year-old KWPN (Zapatero VDL X Zonne-Trend, by French Buffet xx) owned by The Deniro Syndicate and Ocala Horse Properties
  • Doug Payne and Getaway, an 11-year-old Oldenburg (Contendro X Ladula, by Lady’s King) owned by Lisa Wall
  • Tamie Smith and Fleeceworks Royal, a 9-year-old Holsteiner mare (Riverman X Marisol, by Corofino I) owned by Judy McSwain

In addition to the U.S., riders representing Australia, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand and Sweden are entered to compete at Boekelo.

All eyes will be on Julia Krajewski and Samourai du Thot, who are coming off a win in the Nations Cup at Waregem and will go to Boekelo as heavy favorites.

Reigning Dutch National Champions Tim Lips and Bayro finished second last year and will also be ones to watch as they look to become the first Dutch winners of Boekelo.

With one leg to go in the 2018 FEI Nations Cup Eventing series, France still tops the overall standings with 490 points, followed closely by Great Britain with 480 points — well out in front of the other countries. The stage is set for a thrilling finale at Boekelo as France and Great Britain battle for the 2018 series title.

The U.S. sits sixth in the 2018 Nations Cup series standings with 290 points. Click here to view the leaderboard after seven legs.

EN will be on the grounds in the Netherlands to bring you wall-to-wall coverage, starting with the first horse inspection on Wednesday, Oct. 10.

Click here to view the full entry list for Boekelo. Go Eventing.

[Military Boekelo Website]

Ros Canter Closes Gap to FEI World No. 1, Phillip Dutton Ranked 9th for USA

By on Oct 3, 2018 10:01 am -

Ros Canter now sits only 13 points out of the FEI World No. 1 position. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Following her triumph with Allstar B at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, Great Britain’s Ros Canter has significantly closed the gap separating her from the top of the FEI World Eventing Athlete Rankings.

Oliver Townend still holds the World No. 1 position in the latest rankings for Team GB on 569 points, but Ros has now jumped up to the second slot on 556 points — just 13 points behind Oliver.

The dynamic duo of Tim and Jonelle Price remain in the top five of the rankings for New Zealand, now sitting sit third and fourth with 519 and 445 points, respectively.

Great Britain has three riders in the top five of the rankings, with Sarah Bullimore slipping one slot to fifth on 421 points.

Astier Nicolas leads the way for France, moving up from 11th to the sixth slot with 420 points after finishing seventh individually at WEG with Vinci de la Vigne.

Tom McEwen and Piggy French both jumped into the top 10 thanks to their team gold performance for Great Britain at WEG, and now sit seventh and eighth on 389 and 370 points, respectively.

Phillip Dutton and Z at WEG. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Phillip Dutton is the sole U.S. rider in the top 10 of the latest rankings, moving from 27th up to ninth on 359 points after finishing 13th with Z — the best American result at WEG — and winning the Stable View CIC3* with I’m Sew Ready at the weekend.

Sam Watson moved from 30th up to 10th on 335 points thanks to finishing 14th at WEG with Horseware Ardagh Highlight for Ireland’s silver medal team. EquiRatings confirmed Sam is the first Irish rider in history to sit in the top 10 of the FEI world rankings.

Looking to American riders ranked inside the top 25, Lynn Symansky slipped one position to 13th on 330 points. Boyd Martin also dropped one slot to 14th on 328 points. Buck Davidson slipped six slots to 23rd with 315 points.

The U.S. has four more riders ranked inside the top 50. Will Coleman dropped six slots to 26th on 308 points. Lauren Kieffer slipped eight slots to 36th on 285 points. Liz Halliday-Sharp moved down nine slots to 45th on 265 points. Caroline Martin dropped six slots to 46th on 262 points.

Selena O’Hanlon remains the highest ranked Canadian rider, holding the 121st position on 151 points.

Click here to view the latest FEI World Eventing Athlete Rankings.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Oct 3, 2018 12:01 am -

Two of the people behind the success of Aiken’s inaugural FEI event: Nick Attwood and Barry Olliff. Photo via Attwood’s Instagram.

We have to thank all the people behind the scenes who work so hard to make events like Stable View a success. One reason everyone loves Stable View is the fabulous footing in the various rings, lovingly installed and cared for by Nick and Barry. Thank you guys!

National Holiday:  National Kale Day

(I am really not making these up. It was this or Virus Appreciation Day.)

Major Events This Week:

Morven Park CIC & HT: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Live Results

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Kent School Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

WindRidge Farm Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Middle Tennessee Pony Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Heritage Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Willow Draw Charity H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Woodside C.I.C. & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Spokane Sport Horse Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

The Event at Skyline H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Your Wednesday News & Notes

A Drum Horse/Gypsy Vanner 3-year old isn’t typically considered a hot event prospect. Claudia Channing didn’t buy Chestnut Oak’s Drummer Boy specifically for eventing though; as her very first horse she wanted something to do everything on. After dabbling in dressage, trail riding, polo, and other activities, Channing dipped her toe into eventing with the help of her trainer Taylor Lindsten. [Chestnut Oak’s Drummer Boy Flaunts His Feathers]

Getting to ride over the grounds at Burghley suddenly just became attainable for many Brits. From 2020 to 2022, the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials will also host the BE80 (equivalent to BN) championships. A new course will be built for the BE80 competitors over the hallowed eventing ground. [BE80 Championships at Burghley]

Up-and-coming eventers in Britain could have a chance to be mentored by the legendary Pippa Funnell. The Windrush Equestrian Foundation sponsors the riders in their mentorship in memory of Christina Knudson, the late owner of Tim Price’s Wesko, who died in 2016 of cancer. [Young Eventers’ Programme]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: 

There are many compelling reasons why Attwood only uses premium raw materials in its footing formulas.  If you love to cook or bake, this will all make perfect sense to you. But if you are kind of hack in the kitchen, just follow along.

All of our raw materials are accompanied with a SDS (Safety Data Sheet). This important information provides the makeup of material components, safe use, and safety of handling and storage for a particular material or product. So we know exactly what we are working with.

Knowing that our ingredients are consistent means we can produce consistent footing every time. By comparison, if you were baking bread, you wouldn’t throw in any old flour from the back of the cupboard into the mix and expect a great result? Of course not.

But what of recycled products such as carpet scraps and ground up tennis shoes? The real concern with adding recycled products into your footing is that you have no idea what’s really in there. And there is the concern of chemicals leaching out into paddocks and waterways. As for rubber, not only does it have a terrible odor, it breaks down easily creating a dusty and unhealthy environment for all.

It’s difficult to know the long-term effects recycled additives will have on your horse, you and the environment… while an Attwood footing will be safe and consistent ride after ride.

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: OTTB vs. Leaf Blower

By on Oct 2, 2018 5:00 pm -

Thoroughbreds sure do have an abundance of personality. Can’t wait to compete Sharpie at the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover in just 10 days! Please share.

Posted by Elisa Wallace Eventing on Sunday, September 23, 2018

Happy Thoroughbred Makeover Week! Hundreds of Thoroughbreds will show off their second careers this weekend at the Kentucky Horse Park. Four-star rider Elisa Wallace has a knack for helping horses transition to eventing, and her ride, Sharp Decision, who is owned by Susan Day, is among this weekend’s entries. He’s got an interesting warm-up tactic that’s been passed around the internet this week (He even got a shout on on Daily Mail).

This OTTB can also get serious, and showed that in his last competition outing this weekend at Stable View. Scroll down to ride along. Good luck to Sharpie, and all the special OTTBs in Kentucky this weekend!

To learn more about the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover, click here.

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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.

US Equestrian Announces 2018 Fall National Grant Recipients

By on Oct 2, 2018 3:47 pm -

Emilee Libby and Jakobi. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Hot off the presses! US Equestrian has just announced the recipients of the 2018 Land Rover/USEF Eventing Competition Grants and USET Foundation Jacqueline B. Mars National Developing Rider Grants, which are given through the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, for the remainder of the 2018 season.

Three athletes received USET Foundation Jacqueline B. Mars National Developing Rider Grants for The Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International CCI3* in Elkton, Md., on Oct. 18-21, 2018:

  • Sydney Conley Elliott (Bossier City, La.) and Cisko A, Carol Stephens’s 12-year-old Westphalian gelding
  • Emilee Libby (Temecula, Calif.) and Jakobi, a 9-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding she owns with Linda Libby
  • Frankie Thieriot Stutes (Occidental, Calif.) and Chatwin, The Chatwin Group’s 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding

Two athletes received funding for the Ocala Jockey Club International CCI3* in Reddick, Fla., on November 15-18, 2018:

  • Tamie Smith (Murrieta, Calif.) and Mai Baum, a 12-year-old German Sport Horse gelding owned by Alexandra Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn, and Eric Markell, received a USET Foundation Jacqueline B. Mars National Developing Rider Grant.
  • Lynn Symansky (Middleburg, Va.) and RF Cool Play, The Donner Syndicate, LLC’s 10-year-old German Sport Horse gelding, received a Land Rover/USEF Eventing Competition Grant.

All funding is dependent on the horses starting the competitions.

[US Equestrian Announces 2018 Fall Eventing National Grant Recipients]

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: Six Future Eventing Stars

By on Oct 2, 2018 3:00 pm -

In the market for a new four-legged partner? You may find your unicorn on our sister site, Sport Horse Nation. To help with the search, we’re going to feature a selection of current listings here on EN each week. We include the ad copy provided; click the links for videos, pricing and contact information.

The 2018 USEA Future Event Horse Series has crowned its champions and the USEA Young Event Horse competitions are looming. These programs are intended to identify future super stars in eventing. If you’re looking for your next mega prospect, check out these six youngsters aged five and under that are currently for sale and ready to show you what they’re made of.

Willie Wonderful. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Lovely TB Prospect

Willie Wonderful 15.3 5yr.TB G Dark bay. This guy will make up into a nice little event horse. He has the look and is very brave.He has gone to Fair Hill XC schooling and did the water bank and ditch with no problem. Still need finishing but he’s on his way. Trailers and stands on the trailer quietly. Good for blacksmith and good ground manners. He is a sweet boy how just needs a person. Located in Pennsylvania.

Trago. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Trago: 3 YO TB

Trago is a three year old, unraced thoroughbred. He was trained at the track but deemed too slow. He is extremely athletic and willing. He has been schooled around a two foot stadium course and a *small* starter cross country course. Trago does banks, ditches, gallops through water, will go out with a group or on his own, and hacks around on the buckle. He easily goes into a dressage frame and picks up both leads willingly.

Trago stands calmly in cross ties for grooming, bathing, farriers, etc. He is a very easy keeper only getting a handful of feed in the morning and hay throughout the day. His easy going, but curious personality is loved throughout the barn. This will be a cool project for pretty much any rider with the appropriate help. Located in Kentucky.

Riverview Starboy. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

5yo training level gelding with potential to go to the top

Riverview Starboy is a 5yo ISH gelding by Sligo Candy Boy out of a TB mare. Bonbon is a novice winner and is ready for the step up to training level. He has the talent and brain to succeed at the highest level. He would be a super horse for a young rider or amateur looking to produce a quality horse or talented enough for a professional. Located in South Carolina.

Jaguar Star. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Jaguar Star: Talented Young Event Horse

Jaguar Star: 2013 16h chestnut ISH / Holsteiner / Selle Francais mare. Own a C Square Farm Star and barn favorite! “Tigger” is a talented young event horse by Grand Prix show jumper Jaguar Mail.

She is a multiple ribbon winner in recognized and unrecognized horse trials, and won her 5-year-old qualifying Young Event Horse class with an 81%! She has plenty of scope to continue up the levels of eventing.

She is a good mover and jumper, and even has a great lead change. Additionally, Tigger is uncomplicated and kind, making her suitable for a junior, young rider or adult amateur. But she is also talented enough for a professional. Located in Pennsylvania.

Straight Class. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Straight Class: 4yo TB Prospect No Question Baby

No Question Baby is that thoroughbred that everyone is looking for. Affectionately known as Reagan around the barn, she is the total package. A 2014 model, she stands at 16.2hh is as chromed as a bay can get. She is by Giant Oak out of a Langfuhr mare, with true sport horse lines. Reagan only ran once in 2017, and then was retired sound and turned out on her owners farm for a year.

She began her life as a sport horse this summer, and has taken to it like a fish to water. Truly believe she would thrive in a program either with a professional who wants a new upper level prospect, but would also be easy to finish by a competent junior in a program who is looking for that young rider mount. Beautiful to flat, with a tempo unbeknownst her age, she moves easily off of your leg and is quickly moving up the training pyramid. In addition, she canters down to jumps with cadence and rhythm, with a lovely hind end that will never touch a rail.

She has schooled both on property and off, and is an extremely independent individual. Currently jumping courses in the ring and out – water, ditches, and banks are no problem for this young prospect. Has attended local hunter paces with pleasure and will be entered in her first event this fall if not sold. Located in Kentucky.

Arazi’s Gift. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Athletic 5yo Tb Event prospect

Jc: Arazi’s Gift 5 yo 16hh ottb gelding. Properly let down and slowly restarted. WTC and over fences bravely jumping ditches and up / down banks and various XC fences. Has been off property and to one H/J show where he bravely jumped around all the proper fillers with ease. Athletic scopey jumper , light on his feet easy lead change. Uphill build with great feet. Great appetite, no silliness easy to have around. Turns out well with mares and geldings. Located in Florida.

Listings included in this article are randomly selected and confirmed to be current and active before inclusion. Sport Horse Nation features user-generated content and therefore cannot verify or make any warranty as to the validity or reliability of information.

2028 Olympic Talent Watch: Claire and Morgan Gestes, Age 9

By on Oct 2, 2018 1:00 pm -

The 2028 U.S. Eventing Team is already out there somewhere, and it’s up to us all to nurture their talent and their big dreams. “2028 Olympic Talent Watch” is an (adorable) series in which we identify junior eventers who are already exhibiting the heart and the guts to lead American eventing to glory in the (distant) future. Any short-stirrup riders you know come to mind? Email us their story at [email protected]. Today, let’s meet Claire and Morgan Gestes! 

Morgan and Claire with trainer Jen Robertson. Photo by Darah Gestes.

Super twins Claire and Morgan Gestes were born to love horses. Their father, Terry, spent a good chunk of his life exercising and training racehorses, so it just seemed natural that his nine-year-old twin daughters would follow suit. Even with just a few years in the saddle, these pony-loving kiddos already have their sights set on some big dreams.

The dynamic duo has been riding in some shape or fashion since the tender age of three. After several years of leadline and flatwork lessons, the Gestes family decided to invest in a pony for the kids to have of their own. Morgan fell in love with Jet, a spunky POA/Quarter Horse cross, and while there they got to meet his mother, Cocoa, whom Claire also fell head over heels for.

Claire and Jet competing at Champagne Run. Photo by Xpress Foto.

“We went there with the intention of buying one pony for them to share,” mother Darah recalls. “But Claire was in love with Cocoa and it worked out where we could surprise Claire with her on their birthday.” The duo has since switched mounts, but they both can be seen leaning across their pony’s neck to huge and kiss the other pony after a successful jumping round.

The twins only recently began jumping heavily around eight months ago when they began training with Jen Robertson of Altamonte Show Stable in St. Louis, Missouri.

“They are delightfully arrogant,” jokes Jen. “If I have a 4’6″ oxer set in the ring, they immediately ask if they can jump it on their medium ponies. When I put it down, they always say ‘awww man!’ They are super fun to coach and it is unique since their parents were involved in the horse world in a different fashion.”

“One time Morgan’s pony spooked and bolted across the field. Most parents would be mortified, but they were there clapping their hands and yelling, ‘Good job Morgan! You look awesome with those bridged reins!’ I fell in love with that family right then and there.”

Since upping their training regime they have participated in a few local mini-events and completed their first ever Starter horse trial at Champagne Run. Their trailer is packed and loaded to head out to Heritage Park next weekend for their second Starter premiere.

While most people believe twins are identical in everything they do, these sisters are very different in the saddle. “Claire is very go with the flow. She loves dressage and the technicality of the flatwork,” Darah says. “Now Morgan, on the other hand, has a need for speed. She is always ready for bigger, higher and faster!”

But both of the girls have a dare-devilish streak in them. “At Champagne Run Claire asked me, ‘What if my pony runs away with me and just DOES the water complex?'” Jen recalls. “I told her she would be in trouble, but I had a sinking feeling it didn’t stick. So I had to stand at the water complex with my arms crossed to make sure she didn’t attempt it. She later admitted she was going to do it until she saw me standing there!”

Morgan and Jet at Champagne Run. Photo by Xpress Foto.

Inspired by their first ever trip to the Kentucky 3-Day Event this year, Claire and Morgan are ready to kick things up a notch. Darah recently shared this adorable photo on Facebook showing off Claire’s list of goals she dreamed up on her own and hung up in her room.

Photo by Darah Gestes.

“I feel like as a family this is our thing,” Darah says proudly. “Ever since the girls laid eyes on their first horse, they have always lit up around horses. We spend our weekends with the trailer in tow heading off to horse shows. It is truly what we love to do!”

And now that family affair is growing even more. Parker, the twins’ seven-year-old brother, has also began taking riding lessons and is proving to be quite the natural in the saddle.

One thing is for sure: There is greatness in these girls’ future if they keep it up at this rate!