Classic Eventing Nation

#EventerProblems Vol. 155 from Ecovet: A Cinderella Story

By on Aug 19, 2018 10:00 am -

For all the money we sink into our horses’ footwear, we could have Carrie Bradshaw-caliber shoe closets of our own. I double-dare you to do the math on how many pairs of $800 Manolo Blahniks you would own right now if you’d put your horse’s shoe budget toward your own.

And yet, they have the nerve to wander off into the field and lose them, usually at the least convenient time possible — the night before an event is a classic. It’s like they fancy themselves as Cinderella or something.

Public service announcement, horses: You are NOT Cinderella. Keep your shoes on!!

And now, for the rest of this week’s #EventerProblems:

Go Eventing.

Bromont CIC3* Live Cross Country Updates

By on Aug 19, 2018 7:36 am -

Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Good morning from Bromont! It’s a gorgeous day here in Quebec, with the sun shining on what is set to be a thrilling day of cross country. The U.S. World Equestrian Games team horses are running in their final outing before Tryon, with key Canadian horses also gunning for a slot on their squad.

There is no live stream, but I will be running live updates here on EN for CIC3* cross country, which starts at 8 a.m. EST. Keep refreshing this page for all the latest news. Click here for a fence-by-fence preview of Derek di Grazia’s CIC3* course. The optimum time is 6 minutes, 28 seconds. Less than 15 seconds separate the top 10 after show jumping.

#Bromont: Website, Entries, Start Times, Schedule, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

8: Jessica Phoenix and Bogue Sound and Waylon Roberts and Kelecyn Cognac have both withdrawn.

8:11: Two very experienced jockeys as our first to go. Phillip Dutton and Z and Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg are both home clear.

8:15: Times in for our first two: 7.2 time penalties for Z and 4.8 time penalties for Tsetserleg.

8:16: Waylon Roberts and Lancaster are home clear with 15.2 time penalties.

8:20: Lynn Symansky and Under Suspection are home clear with 4 time penalties to take the early lead.

8:27: Will Coleman and Off the Record are home clear with our fastest time so far! Just 2.4 time penalties.

8:30: Jenny Caras and Fernhill Fortitude are home clear with 11.2 time penalties.

8:35: Sharon White and Cooley On Show are home clear with 9.2 time penalties.

8:40: Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus have completed clear with 10.4 time penalties.

8:43: Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border complete clear with 6.8 time penalties.

8:46: Cary Chavis and Game On crossed their tracks while taking the option at fence 5, the first water complex. Unfortunately that is 20 jumping penalties.

8:47: Daniel Clasing and MW Gangster’s Game are home clear with 9.6 time penalties.

8:52: Cary Chavis and Game On complete with 20 jumping and 21.3 jumping penalties.

8:53: A runout at 14C for Laura Welsh and Galactic. She also picked up a runout at 16B at the second water. A third refusal on course at 18B results in elimination.

8:59: Kaelen Speck and Sweet Rebellion complete the course with 20 jumping penalties at 9B.

9: A runout at 9B for Kaitlin Clasing and Cartender de Nyze. She completed with 20 jumping and 21.6 time.

9:08: Clear with 14.4 time penalties for Mara DePuy and Congo Brazzaville C.

9:10: Boyd Martin and Long Island T complete with 6 time penalties, which puts them on the same score as Lynn Symansky and Under Suspection.

9:11: A runout at 9A for Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous.

9:15: RF Scandalous completes with 20 jumping penalties and 28.4 penalties.

9:18: Daniela Mougel and Cecelia are home clear with 8 time penalties.

9:28: Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High are clear with 2.4 time penalties to take the lead!

9:30: A frangible penalty at 11A for Brandon McMechan and Oscar’s Wild. They have now completed with 2.8 time penalties.

9:34: Meghan O’Donoghue and Palm Crescent have completed clear and only two seconds over the time — fastest of the day!

9:40: Lindsay Kelley and Cooley Cruise Control complete clear with 5.6 time penalties.

9:42: Caitlin Henderson and Creative Dreamer are home clear with 15.2 time penalties.

9:45: Jessica Phoenix has retired Dr. Sheldon Cooper after two runouts at 16.

9:50: Charlotte Collier and Clifford M are home clear with 3.2 time penalties.

9:58: Will Coleman and Tight Lines are home clear with 6 time penalties.

10:03: Lynn Symansky and Donner are home clear with 7.6 time penalties.

10:04: No one else can pass Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High — they are our 3* winners!

10:06: Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready complete clear with 6.0 time penalties.

10:10: Boyd Martin and Ray Price are home clear with 2.4 time penalties. That is our final pair in the 3*.

Final results:

Sunday Links Presented by One K Helmets

By on Aug 19, 2018 12:01 am -

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

Raise your hand if you have a crush on Cooley Cross Border! He produced another picture perfect moment at Bromont this weekend. Though we miss Richland Park, I feel very fortunate that Bromont stepped up with another CIC. There’s one more big day, and Jenni Autry is on site to bring all the action.

National Holiday: National Aviation Day

Major Events This Weekend:

Bromont: Website, Entries, Start Times, Schedule, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Action:

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

Huntington Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Waredaca Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [FEH Scores] [YEH/NEH Scores]

Full Gallop Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Catalpa Corner Charity H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Cobblestone Farms H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Sunday Links: 

The Road to AEC: Riding for Lydia

Just Add PAM – How To Hack Your Grooming Toolkit

Olympic champions spearhead British dressage team for World Equestrian Games

Badminton winners head experienced Australian eventing squad for WEG

Defending Burghley champion to be 2018 pathfinder

Why is hoof research lagging behind other areas of equine study?

Study highlights link between changes in the gut and chronic laminitis

Report from the USEA Board of Governors August Meeting

Sunday Video: 

Canada Dominates Bromont CIC2* and Both CIC* Divisions

By on Aug 18, 2018 4:47 pm -

Jessica Phoenix and Bentley’s Best. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Canada is dominating three of the four FEI divisions here at the Bromont CIC Three-Day Event at the conclusion of today’s show jumping action in Quebec.

Jessica Phoenix led the CIC2* after dressage with Pavarotti, but one rail down in show jumping opened the door for Bentley’s Best to move up to take the lead on 30.9. This pair won the CIC2* at Bromont in June, and the stage is set for them to repeat the victory tomorrow.

“Benny,” an 11-year-old Trakehner gelding (Hirtentanz X Hauptstutbuch Baronesse XIII, by Eichendorff) owned by the Bentley’s Best Group, has extensive experience competing at the three-star level. Jessica decided to step him back to two-star level this year to solidify his form, and she is also thinking of him as a possible mount for the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.

“He’s done so much, but he’s still so playful,” Jessica said. “He’s playful in dressage and he’s playful in show jumping, and I want to keep him at two-star level until he’s more workmanlike. He feels really solid at the two-star level and really competitive at the level.”

As for her thoughts on Derek di Grazia’s track for tomorrow: “All three courses are serious courses. I was thinking that the three-star would be more of an easy run in the lead up to the World Equestrian Games, but there’s a lot to do out there, and it’s big. The two-star has a ton to do, and the one-star feels like if you do that well then you’re ready to move up to Intermediate.”

Boyd Martin and Contestor, an 11-year-old KWPN gelding (Contango X Jer’s Princess, by Killer Jer) owned and bred by Denise Lahey, jumped clear to move up to second place in the CIC2* on 32.2.

Dom Schramm and The Naked Horse Eventing Syndicate’s Bolytair B and Michael Nolan and SBT Good Guy both jumped clear rounds and sit tied for third place on 32.6.

Fourteen of the 24 combinations (58% of the field) jumped clear rounds over Marc Donovan’s show jumping course in the CIC2*, but poles went flying in the CIC* divisions.

Colleen Loach and Foreign Quality. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Colleen Loach and Peter Barry’s Foreign Quality jumped one of the five clear rounds in the CIC* to move up from third place after dressage to lead on 25.9.

“Badger,” a 7-year-old KPWN gelding (Warrant X Orsina II, by Calvados), won the 2016 USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships with Tim Bourke as a 5-year-old. Peter Barry purchased him in early 2017, and Colleen started competing him soon after.

He finished fourth here at Bromont in June in his first CCI* and stepped up to Intermediate at the GMHA Festival of Eventing in Vermont last weekend. Colleen said she plans to wait to move him up to the two-star level until next spring.

“He didn’t have a lot of confidence when I first started riding him, so I think it’s important to keep his confidence level up,” Colleen said. “Now he’s starting to really trust me and go forward. He’s not a very forward-thinking horse, and I’m trying to build his trust. He’s one of the most talented horses I’ve ever ridden.”

Waylon Roberts and Aletta Martin’s Wil Celtic Charlie jumped clear to move up to second in the CIC* on 26.4. Matt Brown and Anna Honeycutt’s Fernhill Chico led after dressage on 23.4 and slipped to third place with one rail down.

Katie Lloyd and Cadence. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Katie Lloyd and Cadence are making their one-star debut one to remember, moving up to take the lead in the CIC*-Under 25 on 33.2 with one rail down.

She bought Cadence, a 13-year-old Holsteiner/Canadian Sport Horse (Camiros X N’Thabiseng, by A Fine Romance) as a saddle broke 6-year-old from Kaitlin Breton-Honeyman, who bred the mare just outside Guelph.

“My mare is fabulous. She’s a really good jumper, but she’s a really spooky horse. My sole thought when I went in the ring was ‘don’t let her gallop away’ — just keep her relaxed, calm, between the legs and hopefully make it over all the fences.”

Katie earned her undergraduate degree in animal biology from the University of Guelph and is taking a break from school before going back for her master’s degree. She hopes to study equine probiotic research in sport horses.

Originally from Dundas, Ontario, Katie now lives in Guelph and trains with Lynda Ward and Jo Young. Her ultimate goal for the rest of the season is to move Cadence up to Intermediate and ultimately aim for the Hagyard MidSouth CCI*.

But first, her goal is a clear cross country round tomorrow: “She can be a bit ditchy, so we’re going to need to kick on. She’s a very capable horse. She’s a mare that needs her head in the game.”

Cole Horn and Cooley Sligo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Cole Horn and his own Cooley Sligo, a 6-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Sligo Candy Boy X Town Land Pride, by Townrath Pride), had one rail down and moved up to second place on 33.5.

Kimberley Bégin and her own Bentley, an 11-year-old Trakehner (Krusader X Bonita) bred in Canada by Robin Cruickshank, also had one rail down to move up to third on 35.0.

Only one pair jumped a clear round in the CIC*-Under 25 division — shoutout to Charlotte Collier and Fidelius 35!

Looking to the Training divisions, Lauren Kieffer and Jacqueline Mars’s Get Gaudi jumped clear to hold the lead in the Open division on 22.1. Amanda Beale Clement and Megan Wilson’s BE Kilgoric Felix also jumped clear to hold the lead in the Training Young Rider division on 26.9.

Click here to view full scores following show jumping. Boyd Martin and Long Island T lead the CIC3*; click here to read the full CIC3* report from this morning. Click here to view show jumping videos courtesy of David Frechette.

Cross country day starts with the CIC3* at 8:30 a.m., followed by the CIC2* at 10:38 a.m., CIC* at 12:20 and Training at 2:44. Click here to view the full schedule. Stay tuned for much more from Bromont. Go Eventing.

#Bromont: Website, Entries, Start Times, Schedule, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: Six Chestnut Beauties

By on Aug 18, 2018 2:00 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.

Greys are gorgeous, but no one can deny they are hard to keep clean and their white hair ends up everywhere. But a chestnut needs barely a swipe with a clean rag to make him glitter in the sun like a brand new penny. Grab your sunnies and check out these flashy copper beauties currently listed for sale on Sport Horse Nation.

Never Ben Better. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Safe, Sound, Fun Gelding $7000

Never Ben Better or “Benny”; 16.0 hands; 16 year old flaxen chestnut gelding. Schooled in show jumping, cross country and dressage. Benny is game whether you are in the mood for a relaxing walk out, dressage, show jumping, a cross country gallop, or if you would like to throw a kid on for a ride. He is responsive when asked with a fantastic eager to please attitude. He has amazing ground manners, is easy for the farrier, & will bring much joy to his future owner.

Perfect option for someone wanting a reliable & fun horse. Benny recently competed at HIPICO Santa Fe and took home 3 blue and 1 red ribbon in the 0.65 and 0.75 m class. Loads, trailers ties, amazing ground manners, easy for farrier. Always a gentleman whether at home or in a new environment. USEF: 5373462 Dual registered American Paint Horse (692608) & Pinto Horse (140456) as Tigers Eternal Sun. Located in Texas.

Sonny. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Great All Rounder – Family type horse!

Sonny is a 4 year old, 17′ half Thoroughbred/ half perch/clyde. He is the easiest horse to ride and have around. He is very consistent under saddle. He doesn’t spook. He’s very straightforward on the flat and a very brave jumper. He’s a good mover and very nice jumper. He is nicely forward without being strong. Sonny doesn’t look at anything and wants to jump whatever you point him at. He was first after dressage at his first recognized show!

He has schooled pre-training xc and will upgrade next time out. He does not act 4…I can put students on him to jump around! This guy would make an amazing all round family horse. You could put anyone on him! He would also make a great Fox Hunter. He’s quite happy anywhere in the order on a hack. No vices. Easy keeper. Happy to live out 24/7, but also fine if he’s in at night. He has done a lot of off property schooling. He even spent some time at Woodbine Racetrack to get used to all sorts of sights and sounds! Located in Ontario.

Harvey. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Training Level Eventer Ready to Show You the Ropes!

Harvey is a 16.1 hand, 2001 chestnut Thoroughbred gelding who has actively competed through the Training and P/T levels of eventing. Level-headed and athletic, he would be perfect for an amateur or young rider to learn the ropes of eventing and move up through Training or Prelim. Harvey would also do great in the jumper ring or dressage ring.

Harvey has had 5 summers of training with Olympic event-rider, Becky Holder, as well as several years of dressage training through 3rd level with a classical German dressage trainer. While off the track, he only raced three times and came off the track with no injuries. He has plenty of competition miles left, and is very sound and low maintenance.

He’s as cuddly as it gets and I just don’t have the time this loveable boy deserves. No vices, trailers and stables great, easy to keep a good weight, and gets along with all other horses. Located in Minnesota.

Pepperwood Swarovski. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

PERFECT PONY! EVENTING, DRESSAGE, HUNTERS

Pepperwood Swarovski, also known as “Starski” is a fantastic 8 year old, 13.1 hand, Welsh / Dutch Warmblood cross sport pony. She is sired by Staccato and her mother is Farnley Lethe. Her grandsire is Idocus. We bought Starski 2 years ago for our now, 11-year-old daughter. She has carried our daughter through Green as Grass and Maiden level eventing. Starski almost always wins on her dressage score, which is usually in the low 20s.

In 2016 Starski placed 5th in the nation at the American Eventing Championships at the beginner novice level. She has competed through novice level at Five Points HT and finished 3rd out of 18 on her dressage score. She has been proven through 2nd level dressage and was the National Dressage Pony Cup Champion at the Area I regional championships. Starski has also had experience in the Hunter ring and was a favorite among judges, placing top 3 in the medium green hunter pony division at the Raleigh Winter Classic “A” show in 2016. Her USEA ID is 170870.

Starski is quiet enough for a junior/young rider to move up through the levels of eventing, dressage, or hunters. She is not a push ride nor is she too quick, which gives her a perfect balance. Starski has excellent ground manners and a calm disposition at home and at shows. Don’t miss out on this exceptionally bred, super-talented pony that will consistently bring home the blue ribbons! Located in North Carolina.

Chapman. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Beautiful 17.2 2nd/3rd Level Dutch Warmblood/Belgian Draft Cross

14 yr Chapman (Panache)is a solid second level horse schooling all third level movements. He is a forward thinking horse who shines in the arena. He has beautiful rhythmic gaits and is very adjustable. He is light off the aids, in the contact, and frames up nicely and is easy to connect. He is solid second level scoring consistently in the mid to high 60s at USDF shows.

He has done some low level eventing and enjoys popping around a small course. He hacks out well with others but does need confidence from his rider when hacking alone. He is an excellent seat lesson lunge horse with steady rhythmic gates and he does not care if his rider is flopping around finding there balance.

He enjoys his job and it shows under saddle. His current owner will share all x-rays (full exam done in April). This is an amazing horse who will make a confident amateur very happy. He’s currently in a full training program-ridden 5 days per week with a dressage trainer. Located in Vermont.

Horatio. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Wonderful Novice level eventer for sale

Super Horatius ‘Horatio’ is a 16h 2007 liver chestnut OTTB gelding. Currently competing Novice level, has the ability for Training. Horatio has an exceptional mind, is very easy to handle, is the same horse on and off the farm, and travels well by himself or with others. Horatio has great feet, a solid build that holds leg, and perfect ground manners. He is very experienced, has been to the majority of Area II events and is a treat to take to shows, typically scores in the mid 20’s – low 30’s in dressage.

Horatio has traveled to Aiken, SC for 4 winters and always handled the change and travel well. He hacks out alone or with others and has tons of exposure to all different things you may encounter on the trail or at events. This horse would be perfect as a move up horse for a confident rider in a program. If you are looking for experience and ease this is your horse! He is currently in full work and will stay that way and continue competing until sold. Get him now and compete tomorrow. Located in Delaware.

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.

Boyd Martin and Long Island T Leap to Bromont CIC3* Lead

By on Aug 18, 2018 11:56 am -

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

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous could afford one rail and 1 time penalty following their near record-setting dressage score of 19.9 in the Bromont CIC3* Three-Day Event yesterday. A knocked pole at fence 2, a vertical, plus 2 seconds over the time allowed of 82 seconds for Marilyn boosted Boyd Martin and Long Island T up to take the lead on a slim 0.3-penalty margin.

Long Island T, a 12-year-old Oldenburg/Thoroughbred (Ludwig von Bayern x Haupstsbuch Highlight, by Heraldik xx) owned by The Long Island T Syndicate, has had a mixed show jumping record since moving up to Advanced level in February. He jumped clear rounds in his first three starts at the level, but had a rail in two of his three rounds that followed.

“Ludwig” delivered a beautiful, speedy clear over Marc Donovan’s course on a chilly, overcast morning here in Quebec, stopping the clock three seconds inside the time and ultimately securing the overnight lead on his dressage score of 25.6.

“His show jumping is a work in progress still, but every event we go to I feel like we’re a bit more in sync with each other,” Boyd said. “He’s got a really good jump in him. The biggest thing is confidence and relaxation.”

Ludwig made a trip to the Kentucky Horse Park last month to tackle 1.30-meter classes in the big ring at the Kentucky Summer Classic, which Boyd said definitely helped bolster the horse’s confidence. “My jump coach Richard Picken has been relentless in improving him,” Boyd added, “and he’s finding more jump and more scope.”

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Jenni Autry.

U.S. WEG team combination Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous, a 13-year-old Oldenburg mare (Carry Gold X Richardia, by Lario) owned by Jacqueline Mars and Phoebe and Michael Manders, now sit in second place on 25.9 after adding 6 total penalties.

Phillip Dutton and his U.S. WEG mount Z, a 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Asca X Bellabouche, by Babouche VH Gehucht Z) owned by the Z Partnership, has now jumped clear in his last eight show jumping rounds at international level and remains in third place on 27.1.

Our three-way tie for fourth place remains after Kim Severson and The Cross Syndicate’s Cooley Cross Border, Selena O’Hanlon and John and Judy Rumble’s Foxwood High, and Lynn Symansky and Mary Ann Ghadban’s Under Suspection all jumped clear to stay on scores of 28.0.

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Lynn Symansky and her U.S. WEG team mount Donner, a 15-year-old Thoroughbred (Gorky Park X Smart Jane, by Smarten) owned by The Donner Syndicate, also jumped clear to remain in seventh place on their dressage score of 28.1.

Mara DePuy and Congo Brazzaville C, an 11-year-old KWPN (Tangelo Van de Zuuthoeve X Mexico M, by Highline) she owns with David and Mark Clark Regamey, jumped clear to stay in eighth place on 29.6.

Phillip Dutton has a second ride in the top 10 in John and Kristine Norton’s I’m Sew Ready. The 14-year-old KWPN gelding (Lupicor X Jarda, by Elcaro) is Phillip’s reserve horse on the U.S. WEG team, and also received grant funding to compete at Les Etoiles de Pau CCI4* in October.

Charlotte Collier and Clifford M, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Cristo 5 X Naomi IV, by Carpaccio) owned by Parker Collier, jumped clear to move into the top 10 on 31.4. We wish Charlotte the very best of luck as she looks to complete her first three-star tomorrow.

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

Eighteen of the 31 combinations (58% of the field) in the CIC3* jumped clear show jumping rounds. Four of the five U.S. WEG team combinations jumped clear rounds, with Boyd Martin and Christine Turner’s Tsetserleg and Lauren Kieffer and Jacqueline Mars’s Vermiculus also leaving all the poles in the cups to sit 13th and 14th, respectively.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s cross country, time will ultimately decide how the final results play out. Boyd Martin and Long Island T cannot afford a single second over the optimum time of 6 minutes and 28 seconds to maintain the lead. As for his plan on Derek di Grazia’s course, Boyd said he won’t be challenging the clock with Ludwig.

“Every time I sit on him on cross country, it’s about riding him within his limit speed-wise,” Boyd said. “If I try to go too quick on him, the lights go out. He’s getting in a place where I can open him up more without him switching off. He’s not really good with these twisty tracks, but I think it will be a good education for him.”

Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High. Photo by Jenni Autry.

All the riders agree that Derek’s CIC3* course is a serious track (click here for a fence-by-fence preview). For the U.S. WEG team riders, who are using Bromont as a final outing before Tryon, the course offers a fantastic to opportunity to get the horses firing on all cylinders before heading to North Carolina.

“The course is really bold and big,” Marilyn Little said. “I think that’s great because you don’t want to tiptoe into something like Tryon. You want to feel like they’ve seen enough and they’re peaking at the right moment, and this is a course that can do that for us.”

We have a full day of show jumping ahead, with the CIC2*, CIC* and Training levels still to come. You can watch videos of today’s show jumping rounds on David Frechette’s YouTube channel. Keep it locked on EN for wall-to-wall coverage of Bromont. Go Eventing.

#Bromont: Website, Entries, Schedule, Start Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on Aug 18, 2018 12:01 am -

Navy vibes. Photo by Abby Powell.

International Helmet Awareness Day (IHAD) is upon us once again this weekend! Riders4Helmets created this campaign back in 2010 and since then has worked to encourage more equestrians to mind their melon when mounting up. IHAD brings a host of sales from retailers world-wide, so if you’re due to replace your helmet (which you need to do after a fall or at minimum every five years – whichever comes first!) then this is a great weekend to go shopping! You can search for a participating retailer near you with this map. I am a huge fan of my Tipperary 8500 Sportage and you can bet I never ever get in the saddle without my trusty brain bucket!

National Holiday: International Helmet Awareness Day

Major Events This Weekend:

Bromont: Website, Entries, Start Times, Schedule, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Action:

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

Huntington Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Waredaca Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [FEH Scores] [YEH/NEH Scores]

Full Gallop Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Catalpa Corner Charity H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Cobblestone Farms H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Saturday Links:

Report from the USEA Board of Governors August Meeting

A Reminder Of Our Own Mortality

Just Add PAM – How To Hack Your Grooming Toolkit

British Dressage Team Named For 2018 WEG

Emergency 911: Horse Show Edition

Mongol Derby Day 9: Stick a Fork in It

Saturday Video: An oldie but a goody,#MindYourMelon

Bromont CIC: Little’s Leading Score is 2nd Best in North America This Decade

By on Aug 17, 2018 6:05 pm -

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous very nearly smashed a North American record today at the Bromont CIC Three-Day Event in Quebec. EquiRatings confirmed to EN that their score of 19.9 (29.9 in former scoring) is the second best three-star dressage score in North America this decade, bested only by Phillip Dutton and Mystery Whisper’s score of 18.6 (27.9 in former scoring) at Red Hills in 2012.

“For scores like that the stars always have to align on the day,” Marilyn said. “Coming into this today I thought there was a possibility she could get into the teens; we eked in there. We’ve been really in sync in the training leading up to Bromont. She comes out with her briefcase every day and is so ready to work. I think we’re seeing a level of relaxation we’ve never achieved before and are able to work on more of the details in the test.”

“Kitty,” a 13-year-old Oldenburg mare (Carry Gold X Richardia, by Lario) owned by Jacqueline Mars and Phoebe and Michael Manders, is one of the five horses named to the U.S. World Equestrian Games team, and is running here at Bromont alongside her teammates for the squad’s final outing before Tryon.

This is the mare’s first FEI outing since the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event in April, where Kitty placed third to become the 2018 USEF National CCI4* Champion. She has one Open Intermediate run under her belt since Kentucky, when she cruised around Maryland Horse Trials last month alongside fellow WEG teammates Donner, Vermiculus and Tsetserleg.

“We chose our own path in terms of the prep so we were peaking right now and not doing too many competitions too early. I came here hoping for a really good week, and I have never felt her feel so good, and this is certainly the right time for that to happen,” Marilyn said.

“She is able to hold the balance and really stay seated and carry herself on her hocks through the entire test. Last year she would get a little fatigued at the end. Now she can carry herself through to the final halt.”

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

Marilyn and Kitty have a 5.7-penalty margin ahead of Boyd Martin and Long Island T, who sit in second place on 25.6. “Ludwig,” a 12-year-old Oldenburg/Thoroughbred (Ludwig von Bayern x Haupstsbuch Highlight, by Heraldik xx) owned by The Long Island T Syndicate, “is a dressage machine,” Boyd said, and continues to solidify his form at this level.

Boyd’s WEG mount Tsetserleg, an 11-year-old Trakehner (Windfall X Thabana, by Buddenbrock) owned by Christine Turner, scored 32.3 to sit 14th at the conclusion of dressage.

“I was really pleased with his paces and his frame and the way he went. I just had heaps of little mistakes, which is frustrating — no excuses. I’ve been concentrating a lot of the four-star test (for WEG) and didn’t work on the three-star test as much, which showed up today. He’s going really well and the quality has gotten a lot better. I have to make sure the fine details — the halts, the strike-offs, the angles, the flying changes — are spot on.”

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Phillip Dutton and his WEG mount Z, a 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Asca X Bellabouche, by Babouche VH Gehucht Z) owned by the Z Partnership, were the first pair to go this morning and sit in third place on a personal best score of 27.1.

“I worked on keeping him a little more uphill than what I have before, and he handled it all well,” Phillip said. “It’s been a good preparation. We’ve been here for a few days and could concentrate on the test. It’s just attention to detail at this point. I was pleased with the way he settled, and he did his job very well.”

Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We have a three-way tie for fourth place in the CIC3*. Selena O’Hanlon leads the way for Canada with John and Judy Rumble’s Foxwood High on 28.0, with U.S. WEG alternates Kim Severson and The Cooley Cross Border Syndicate’s Cooley Cross Border and Lynn Symansky and Mary Ann Ghadban’s Under Suspection tied on the same score.

Lynn Symansky and her WEG team horse Donner, a 15-year-old Thoroughbred (Gorky Park X Smart Jane, by Smarten) owned by The Donner Syndicate, scored 28.1 to sit in seventh place.

Lynn Symansky and Donner. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Our other U.S. WEG team pair, Lauren Kieffer and Jacqueline Mars’s Vermiculus, scored 32.4 to put the 11-year-old Anglo-Arabian gelding (Serazim X Wake Me Gently) in 15th place.

Looking to the CIC2*, Jessica Phoenix holds the top two spots on the leaderboard with her own Pavarotti and The Bentley’s Best Group’s Bentley’s Best on scores of 30.5 and 30.9, respectively.

Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Matt Brown and Anna Honeycutt’s Fernhill Chico lead the CIC* on 23.4, with Michael Nolan and Kara Andrew’s Bad Moon Rising topping the CIC*-Under 25 leaderboard on 27.8.

We have to give a special shout out to Helen Christie, Christian Landolt and Rossana Lagunes, all of whom spontaneously formed a ground jury for the Training divisions and gave the riders the incredible privilege of being judged by a panel of three top FEI judges.

Lauren Kieffer and Jacqueline Mars’s Get Gaudi lead the Open Training division on 22.1. Amanda Beale Clement and Megan Wilson’s BE Kilgoric Felix lead the Training Young Rider division on 26.9. Thank you to the volunteers and everyone in the office who processed those extra Training tests!

Looking ahead to tomorrow, the action on Marc Donovan’s show jumping course starts with the CIC3* at 8:30 a.m., followed by the CIC2* at 10:51 a.m., CIC* at 12:48 p.m. and Training at 2:49 p.m. Cross country for all divisions will be held Sunday. Click here for a fence-by-fence preview of Derek di Grazia’s CIC3* track. Go Eventing.

#Bromont: Website, Entries, Start Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Friday Video and UK Notes from World Equestrian Brands: The Willberry Story

By on Aug 17, 2018 5:37 pm -

Hannah Francis after performing the test ride at Tattersalls in 2016. Photo courtesy of Jack Lyons Media.

It’s been a big week here in the UK, with the announcement of the GB eventing team for the forthcoming WEG causing a ripple of controversy across social media. But there’s no time to dwell on these things – the CCI3* and CIC3* Event Rider Masters finale at Blair Castle is swiftly approaching, and then it’s straight on to Burghley, before we head to Tryon. Who needs sleep (or sanity) anyway?!

UK Weekend Preview:

Somerford Park International (2): [Ride Times] [Website] [Cross Country Videos]

Firle Place International: [Ride Times] [Website] [Cross Country Videos]

Solihull (2): [Ride Times] [Website]

Events Opening this Weekend:

17th: Moreton Morrell (2) – BE90-N – [Enter] Warwickshire (September 21-22)

17th: Kelsall Hill (2) – BE80-I with BE80 Championships – [Enter] Cheshire (September 21-23)

Events Balloting this Weekend:

19th: Burnham Market (2) – BE80-N – [Enter] Norfolk (September 9)

Team Jung runs alongside as Michi and Sam finish their cross-country round, Willberry Pony in situ. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Friday Video: The History of Hannah Francis’ Willberry Wonder Pony

Just over two years ago, the eventing community lost one of its most compellingly positive, tough, and determined family members. Hannah Francis was just eighteen when she passed away, but the impact she left on the sport was unmatched. Now, her Willberry Wonder Pony charity works to raise vital funds for osteosarcoma research, while granting the equestrian wishes of those diagnosed with a serious illness.

We were really pleased to have the @willberrywonderpony team join us for #ponyeuros2018, especially as we got to include their jump in our showjumping course! It's a brilliant cause, so if you didn't get to pop and see them last week make sure you had over to their profile now to find out more and to help kick cancer's butt! #bishopburton #bishopburtonequine #bishopburtoncollege #fei #feiglobal #feipony #feiponyriders #feieuropeanchampionships #feiponyeuros #ponyeuropeans #ponyeuros #ponycompetition #ponyriding #horsecompetition #horseshow #eastridingofyorkshire #eastriding #eastyorkshire #myeastriding #myeastyorkshire #kickingcancersbutt #willberrywonderpony #willbery #cancercharity #showjumping #showjumper

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To find out more about the charity, and to see how you can get involved, click here. Hannah’s legacy is a unique and remarkable one – let’s take it worldwide.

#kickingcancersbutt

#EventerFailFriday: Trust Me, I’m a Professional

By on Aug 17, 2018 3:00 pm -

I’m sure I’m not the only horse show photographer who keeps a little black book of fail pics. If you spend enough time watching horses jump through the lens of a camera, you’re bound to rack ’em up. For the most part mine is a private collection; riders aren’t always stoked to have their least dignified moments immortalized on the Internet. Every now and again, though, you snap a fail that’s just too good to keep to yourself.

Like this one from last weekend’s GMHA Festival of Eventing, from Joan Davis of Flatlandsfoto. You know I’m a jaded, terrible person because my first thought was, “I sure hope that iPhone was OK.”

And this one, posted by Chronicle of the Horse reporter Ann Glavan in advance of last week’s hallowed Pony Finals — not a fail necessarily, but a first-rate “oh crap” face nonetheless. The Chronicle‘s #MissedItMondays pics on Instagram are a real highlight of my week, more proof that I am a horrible person, so be sure to follow them if you are, too.

Ah, Pony Finals week. May the odds ever be in your favor, kids 😂😂😂

A post shared by Ann Glavan (@ann_glavan) on

Next up, you better believe that Amy Dragoo of AK Dragoo Photography has seen some things out there that cannot be unseen. Luckily she has a wicked sense of humor to match.

But no one, probably, has captured more epic fail than Nico Morgan of Nico Morgan Photography. Between hunt field derring-do and the upped-ante of UK eventing, that man could curate a museum exhibit with all his photos of misses and mishaps.

A bit of excitement for Denis Mesples during the trot up on Wednesday.

A post shared by Nico Morgan (@nicomorgan) on

“It wasn’t a great idea” … I’m dying. Steer clear of 5-foot tall metal gates, EN, and Go Eventing!