There’s not much more enthralling than watching a fearless young rider and his spunky pony attack a jump-off, flying over fences taller than they are and with more determination than many adults. Young Senan Reape, 9, and the 18-year-old pony Mickybo were stars at the Dublin Horse Show, winning the 128cm National Championship in serious style.
This video of their speedy trip has since been making the rounds on social media and surpassed one million views. That’s no surprise as this confident pair put in quite a performance, galloping right down the distances without fear, whipping around the turns to save time and feeding off the energy of the crowd, which whooped with each jump and cheered them all the way across the finish line. Well done, Senan and Mickybo!
EndurExtra®
The horse that matters to you matters to Kentucky Performance Products; that is why you can count on them to provide supplements that meet the challenges facing your horse.
Struggling to keep weight on your hard keepers? When your horse needs more energy and nutrients than hay and grain can provide, turn to the high-fat supplement, EndurExtra®.
EndurExtra’s 50% fat formula provides the calories, vitamins and prebiotics your horse needs to gain and maintain optimal body condition. Just 8 ounces per day supports weight gain and a robust appetite. The additional vitamin E in EndurExtra sustains the healthy muscles, nerves and immune system your horse needs to reach his full potential.
The blend of fats in EndurExtra are an extraordinary source of dietary energy. Fat contains more than two times the energy that carbohydrates and proteins do, thereby fueling horses more efficiently. Fat is considered a “cool” feedstuff because it does not cause the hormone spikes that lead to excitability.
Adding EndurExtra to your horse’s diet allows you to decrease the amount of sugary concentrates (grains) you feed, reducing the risk of colic and laminitis resulting from grain overload. EndurExtra is an excellent source of calories for performance horses that are sensitive to sugar but still need calories to fuel training and competition. Try EndurExtra today.
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. Call 859-873-2974 or visit KPPusa.com.
It’s time to play Who Jumped It Best? GMHA Training Rider Edition! Take a look at these horses and riders jumping in the rain at the GMHA Festival of Eventing in South Woodstock, Vermont. Vote in the poll at the bottom of the post for which horse and rider you think present the best overall picture over the jump.
Thank you to Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto for providing beautiful images from GMHA. Click here to view final scores from the event. Go Eventing.
Nicole Castagnozzi and Fancy Pants. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Sally Davis and Dare To Dream. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Shannon Fralley and Devil’s Gold. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Shannon Wallman Hatch and Glidawn Master. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Mickey Rathbun and Bramble. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Lakiesha Varney and Kolor Me Gone. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
We hear all the time about horses at the top of the sport, but what about the next generation of equine talent? EN’s Got Talent profiles exciting up-and-coming young horses. Have you spotted a future superstar you think should be highlighted in this column? Tip me at [email protected].
Andrew McConnon and Bossinova. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.
When Andrew McConnon moved to England to work for William Fox-Pitt in early 2016, he planned to stay for two seasons — plenty of time, he figured, to find an exciting eventing prospect to bring home when he returned to the U.S.
But after trips all throughout England, Ireland and continental Europe in search of the right horse, and with his departure date looming ever closer last November, Andrew still hadn’t found the one.
When he received a tip about a 7-year-old gelding at Helen Bell’s yard in North Yorkshire the day before he was meant to fly home to America, Andrew thought “why not?” He made the five-hour drive to meet Bossinova, a Hanoverian (Bonifatius X Dawina, by Der Lord) bred in Scotland by Stuart Adams and Christine Macmillan of Carriden Stud.
Better known as “Hugo,” the horse had competed in pure dressage as a 5- and 6-year-old and completed two BE90 (U.S. Novice level) events with Helen Bell’s daughter, Zoe Dawson, during the 2017 eventing season in the UK.
“There was something about him that I really liked,” Andrew said. “He was a little lazy in the arena, but really good on grass and on cross country. I’m normally pretty hesitant, but on the drive home I decided that if he passed the vetting then I really wanted to work with him and see where it goes.”
Andrew flew home the next day, and Hugo passed a stringent vetting soon after. The horse landed in the U.S. at the beginning of December and was soon en route to Florida with Andrew, who had decided to base his business in Ocala.
“He had a background in the dressage and I felt like that was quite strong, so I didn’t feel the need to have to school him up in that phase,” Andrew said. “I was more focused on getting to know him and getting him fit and used to the ground in the States. I spent a lot of time hacking and doing trot sets.”
Andrew McConnon and Bossinova. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.
Hugo made his first start in the U.S. in February at Ocala Winter I Horse Trials, where he won his Training level debut on his dressage score of 26.8. He then won his next two starts at Training level as well, both at Rocking Horse, on dressage scores of 26.1 and 23.4, respectively.
“I didn’t know how he would be off of the property, and it turned out he’s just the same if not a little bit better,” Andrew said. “The atmosphere at a competition plays to his strengths. He’s a relaxed horse, so the show helps him to have more cadence and energy in the dressage. He was fantastic in the show jumping, and I was really impressed with him cross country. I had only schooled him a couple times before his first event.”
At the beginning of the 2018 season, Andrew had planned to run four Training level events before moving Hugo up to Preliminary. Following the horse’s three consecutive wins at Training level, Andrew decided to re-evaluate his plan.
“I’m not one who wants to move them up too quickly, so it was a little unique for me,” Andrew said. “I knew Rocking Horse had a good Preliminary in March that would be ideal for a move-up, and he absolutely felt ready for it. He led the dressage by 5 points. I cut a turn in the show jumping and he barely tapped a pole behind, so unfortunately he had a rail. We took it nice and easy cross country, and he went around just as well as he had at Training level.”
Hugo finished sixth in his Preliminary debut at Rocking Horse Spring Horse Trials, taking it all in stride in his typical calm, cool and collected manner. So, as one does with a horse who oozes natural talent, Andrew decided to throw another challenge at Hugo.
“With him stepping up to Preliminary and handling that so easily, I didn’t feel like he needed to go right back out and run another one,” Andrew said. “I decided to take him to HITS to compete in some jumper rounds, and that opened up the opportunity for him to compete in the equitation arena.”
Lauren Lindner of Redfield Farm took the ride on Hugo during the Ocala Winter Celebration at HITS, piloting him to a win in a USEF Hunter Seat Medal class. Hugo took home multiple ribbons in equitation classes throughout the week.
“His flatwork is so good, and he jumps beautifully and has clean changes,” Andrew said. “He could honestly be a proper equitation horse as well, and it was interesting to see what else he’s good at. It was really fun to play owner, but also stressful!”
Following Hugo’s Preliminary debut and successful stint as an equitation horse at HITS, he enjoyed a well-earned break before returning to the eventing scene two months later. Once again Hugo started a winning streak, topping the leaderboard at the Open Preliminary at Paradise Farm in May on 33.0, followed by a win in the Open Preliminary at Chattahoochee Hills in June on 30.0.
Hugo’s summer campaign concluded on an especially high note, as he finished on his dressage score of 29.4 to be crowned the Area III Preliminary Champion at Chattahoochee Hills in July.
“The Preliminary championships course at Chattahoochee Hills had the Intermediate drop into the water and a couple other Intermediate questions, and just like he had done the whole season he answered it all really well,” Andrew said.
Andrew McConnon and Bossinova over the Intermediate drop into water at Chattahoochee Hills. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.
After winning six of his seven starts in the U.S. this year, Hugo is gearing up for what Andrew hopes will be an equally successful fall season. Hugo will next return to Chattahoochee Hills, where he has already won two events this year, to contest his first CIC* in September.
Then he will go on to Stable View’s Oktoberfest Horse Trials to contest the inaugural CIC* at the venue before capping his season in the CCI* at Hagyard Midsouth in Kentucky, which serves as the USEF National One-Star Championship.
Looking ahead to the 2019 season, Andrew is aiming to move Hugo up to the Intermediate level early in the year and ultimately aim for the CCI2* at the Ocala International Three-Day Event in April.
“I see it as a long-term journey with this horse, and I really want to produce him the right way and be strategic in how I compete him,” Andrew said. “I would love to get some people on board to come on this journey with me, and perhaps add another young one like him to the string to start creating a pipeline.”
As for what Andrew thinks has made Hugo so successful in his first year of competing in the States: “I think a horse that is trainable is so much more important than flash. With a horse that is consistent each day without pounding or pressing on them too much, you can make so many strides in their training and preserve them in a way that also gets the job done.
“Hugo would be the horse that you walk past in the barn. He’s not an in-your-face type, but that changes when you’re on him. If a horse does the job and checks all the boxes, they can be really special if given the chance.”
You can follow along with Hugo’s fall campaign on Andrew’s Facebook page and on his website at www.mcconnoneventing.com. He is actively looking to syndicate Hugo. Anyone interested in more information can contact Andrew directly at 508-517-3349 or [email protected].
Thibaut Vallette and Qing du Briot ENE HN. Photo by Jenni Autry.
The French federation announced their eventing squad this morning for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, which will be held Sept. 12-16 at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina.
Congratulations to the following horses and riders:
Sidney Dufresne and Trésor Mail, an 11-year-old Selle Francais stallion (Jaguar Mail X Nocturne Mail, by Iowa) owned by Iris Fleurieu and Agnès Trouble
Maxime Livio and Opium de Verrieres, a 16-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Ultra de Rouhet X Rosiere II, by Fragile), owned by S.C. Soixante Seize et Compagnie – Les Amis de Maxime Livio
Astier Nicolas and Vinci de la Vigne, a 9-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Esterel des Bois X Korrigane de Vigne, by Duc du Hutrel) owned by Marie-José and Philippe Gérard and the rider
Donatien Schauly and Pivoine des Touches, a 15-year-old Selle Francais mare (Nykias X Kanelle des Touches, by Elf d’Or) owned by Anne-Sophie Schauly and the rider
Thibaut Vallette and Qing du Briot ENE HN, a 14-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Eolien II X Henriette, by Etalon OR) owned by IFCE
Laura Graves teaching at Ohana Equestrian Preserve. Photo by Emily Riden/Jump Media.
We all know Laura Graves as one of America’s leading dressage riders, but she taught a very different type of clinic yesterday at Ohana Equestrian Preserve in Aldie, Virginia. Her “Dressage for Jumpers” clinic emphasized dressage fundamentals for hunter/jumper riders, covering advanced flatwork exercises to improve performance over fences. Ohana’s indoor arena, which features TerraNova footing from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces, provided a perfect location for the clinic. You can watch a full replay of the clinic at this link thanks to USEF Network.
Alina Patterson and Lauren Schoenborn are the recipients of the Charles Owen Technical Merit Award from Rebecca Farms. Schoenborn, originally from the east coast, now makes Montana home with her partner East of Omaha, who she’s been with for six years. Patterson was originally from Alaska, which limited her eventing opportunities until her parents moved to Washington state when she was eleven. [Rebecca Farm Technical Merit Awards]
Britain’s list has raised a lot of eyebrows with a notable name left off the list. Despite being listed with three different horses, including a Burghley winner and a Kentucky winner, Oliver Townend was excluded from what became an all-woman squad for GBR. [British WEG Team Announced]
A valued member of the Kentucky CCI4* community has sadly passed away.Helen Sproat dedicated her time to the spring three-day for forty years, directing the mounted riders for cross-country day. For the rest of the year, she ran a gallery, gave historical tours, organized Christmas festivals, and raised four children. [In Memoriam: Helen Sproat]
Attwood Wisdom of the Week: EuroTex Tailored for a Special Event
With the addition of a CIC3*, CIC2* and CIC1* to the Stable View Advanced Oktoberfest Horse Trials this fall, Attwood Equestrian Surfaces is busy creating a new arena to accommodate the expanding competition.
Tucked in between the covered arena and the “Silva” arena on the north side of the property, the new arena will also be incorporated into the cross country course design by Mark Phillips.
“It’s pretty heady how much has changed since we first came here to do the footing for the covered arena (Pinnacle) just a few years ago. Since then we have installed another 125,000 plus square feet of footing. The property just keeps expanding!” said Nick Attwood, president of AES. “Barry Olliff has quite a vision for his farm. Working with Mark, Richard Jeffries, Barry … it’s a game changer for the town of Aiken when you have this ‘A’ list team of people to work with.”
And the footing? A custom blend of EuroTex, made specifically for Stable View. EuroTex is a unique composition of Geopad felt and Cleff elasticated fibers combined with specially selected sand. The sand selection is very important taking in account climate and the amount of use the arena will see. The result is a stunningly consistent footing that provides just enough cushion, just enough grip, creating a truly safe surface.
EuroTex is also the footing used in the “Silva” arena and the Attwood International Competition Arena.
Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.
Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Australia is the latest team to announce their final squad for the FEI World Equestrian Games at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina. Congratulations to the following horses and riders:
Chris Burton and Cooley Lands, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Cavalier Land X Clover Light Girl, by Clover Hill) owned by Joe and Kate Walls
Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh, a 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Touchdown X Calendar Girl, by Trigerrero) owned by Steve and Dinah Posford, Jules Carter and Sam Griffiths
Andrew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos, a 9-year-old Anglo-Arabian gelding (Jaguar Mail X Illusion Perdue, by Jalienny) owned by Paula and David Evans
Bill Levett and Lassban Diamond Lift, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Easy Lift xx X Lassban Chow Bella, by Diamond Chin) owned by Elisabeth Murdoch
Shane Rose and Virgil, a 13-year-old Australian Warmblood gelding (Vivant X North Pole xx, by North Star xx) owned by Michelle Hasibar
The three unranked reserves are:
Emma McNab and Fernhill Tabasco, owned by Kevin McNab, Dom and Poppy Worcester, and Julia and Jamie Dougall
Rob Palm and Cassie Lowe’s Koko Story
Amanda Ross and Koko Popping Candy, owned by Christine Brown and Fraser Brown
This is the third consecutive time Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh have been selected for an Australian championship team, a feat achieved only twice before by Gillian Rolton and Peppermint Grove and Sonja Johnson and Ringwould Jaguar.
The Aussie WEG squad will participate in a training camp prior to departure for Tryon at Hartpury Equestrian College in Gloucester, UK.
The Mongol Derby is the longest and roughest horse race on the planet. Riders traipse across the Mongolian steppe attending 25 checkpoints aboard semi-feral ponies—Genghis Khan style. Our own editor Leslie Wylie took on the Mongol Derby last year and lived to tell the tale (Don’t miss her series, Wylie v. The Mongol Derby here!).
This year 16 North Americans are contesting the race, including Practical Horseman editor Jocelyn Pierce and eventer Nicolette Merle-Smith in tandem with her fiancé Joel Scholz. There is no understating the difficulty of the race or the unpredictability of the ponies, and this year’s contest is no different. I’d suggest you follow the action via the Derby’s live updates on Twitter and check out live tracking on the website here. Here’s what the riders have been up against:
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.
Jr. Beginner Novice 14 & Under competitors Hannah Sullivan and Nebraska are clear over the final cross country fence at the 2017 AEC. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Closing date for the 2018 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC), presented by Nutrena Feeds, is today! Still hemming and hawing about whether to enter the event, to be held Aug. 29-Sept. 2 in Parker, Colorado? I’ve attended the AEC at its past four locations (Illinois, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina) in various capacities (rider, friend, coach, press), and I can’t recommend the experience highly enough.
Maybe this year’s AEC is off the beaten path for you geographically, but it’s well worth the trek — a true destination event. You better believe I’m heading to the 15th annual edition, and I don’t want you guys to miss out!
Here are seven reasons to just put that entry in already:
You earned it. You worked hard, you qualified (see AEC qualified riders and horses), and now it’s time to go enjoy the victory lap of your successful season. Don’t miss the opportunity to test yourself against horses and riders from around the country for the chance to earn the ultimate title of National Champion.
It’s the feel-good event of the year. The USEA goes above and beyond to make sure competitors and their peeps have a fun, celebratory and memorable experience. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and prizes + swag galore + parties every evening = why would you miss this, seriously?
It’s a picture-perfect venue. Just imagine your cross country photos with the dramatic Rocky Mountains looming in the background! Feel the sun on your back and the alpine wind on your face! The Colorado Horse Park is a beautiful, first-class facility with a variety of amenities to make horses and riders alike feel at home — visit the website here.
Bring the whole barn. In addition to championship divisions, the event includes non-championship “festival classes” from Beginner Novice through Preliminary. There’s even an Intro level with an optional ditch and water jump. Comparable to normal horse trial divisions as far as cost, prizes and difficulty (they will run the same Tremaine Cooper-designed courses as the AEC divisions but with some non-championship options), the festival classes offer non-qualified horses the chance to gain experience in a big show atmosphere.
Bring the whole family. The Colorado Horse Park is located less than an hour outside Denver, one of the U.S.’s friendliest, cleanest and most colorful cities, and outdoorsy activities abound in the area. With a little creativity you can convince that fam that this isn’t just an event, it’s a vacation. If the long road trip is a sticking point, look into budget airlines — my flight from Knoxville to Denver was $206 through Frontier.
It’s more than JUST an event. The AEC is a panoramic view of eventing as it exists here in the U.S. — the pyramid-shaped representation of Beginner Novice to Advanced level riders, the connective tissue that exists between amateurs and pros, the sport’s sweeping geographic scope, and the heroic roles performed by organizers, volunteers and supporters.
It’s an opportunity to give back. Speaking of volunteers, the AEC is in need of some. Can you lend a helping hand? Volunteering is a great way to show your support for the sport you love; AEC helpers will be provided with goodies including coffee and donuts, lunch and 2018 AEC hats. Sign up through the Eventing Volunteers portal to make your hours credible with the USEA Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP). Teamwork makes the dream work!
For more information, visit the AEC website. Ready to enter? Excellent choice. Check out the Omnibus listing here and enter via Xentry here.
Piggy French and Quarrycrest Echo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Hot off the presses! Great Britain has just announced their squad for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games. Congratulations to the following horses and riders:
Ros Canter and Allstar B, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Ephebe For Ever X Narenca B, by Ekstein) owned by the rider and Caroline Moore
Tina Cook and Billy The Red, an 11-year-old German Sport Horse gelding (Balou du Rouet X FBW Simply Red, by Stan The Man xx) owned by Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson
Piggy French and Quarrycrest Echo, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Clover Echo X Royal China, by Cavalier Royale) owned by Jayne McGivern
Tom McEwen and Toledo de Kerser, an 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Diamant de Semilly X Ariane du Prieure II, by Papillon Rouge) owned by the rider, Jane Inns and Ali McEwen
Gemma Tattersall and Arctic Soul, a 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Luso X Dream Cocktail, by Roi Danzig) owned by the rider and The Soul Syndicate
“This year’s team selection was extremely close, with great strength and depth coming through the nominated list,” Eventing Performance Manager Dickie Waygood said. “We head to WEG with a strong squad and I look forward to continuing to work with the selected athletes in the build-up, to ensure we are best prepared for Tryon.”
Merel Blom and Rumour Has It. Photo by Jenni Autry.
The Dutch eventing squad has been announced for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games. Congratulations to the following horses and riders:
Merel Blom and Rumor Has It NOP, a 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Esteban xx X Onara, by Candillo) owned by J.M.J. Blom and M.C. Blom-Muilwijk
Laura Hoogeveen and Quibus, an 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Quasimodo Z X Rupiedante Dante Z, by Rupie Star) owned by Crimould B.V.
Alice Naber-Lozeman and ACSI Harry Belafonte, a 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Heraldik xx X Zamira, by Zamiro) owned by R. van Reine & S. van Reine
Raf Kooremans and Henri Z, a 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Heraldik xx X Rozina van de Hertogen, by Landaris) owned by Marc Rigouts
Theo van de Vendel and Zindane, a 14-year-old KPWN gelding (Kreator X Oriflame, by Kingston) owned by T. van de Vendel, J.J. van de Vendel and G.J. van de Vendel
Renske Kroeze and Jane Z, a 12-year-old Zangersheide mare (Johny Boy II X Tendre Rose, by Hornet Rose) owned by Beemdhoeve B.V., have been named the reserve combination.
