Classic Eventing Nation

FEI Confirms Tryon’s WEG Course Will Run Full 5,700 Meters

By on Aug 12, 2018 5:49 pm -

A new water complex that will be unveiled next month for WEG at Tryon. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The FEI has confirmed that the 2018 World Equestrian Games cross country course at Tryon International Equestrian Center will run the full 5,700 meters, with 42 jumping efforts set across 10 minutes. FEI Eventing Committee Chair David O’Connor was onsite at Tryon in Mill Spring, North Carolina last week to review the course.

“Preparation work on the footing has progressed greatly following a very wet spring and, in consultation with Course Designer Captain Mark Phillips and the Tryon Organising Committee, it is confirmed that the full 5,700m track is ready for the WEG Eventing Cross Country according to the technical level specified in the Eventing Rules.”

The announcement comes following concern that the length of Capt. Mark Phillips’s track would be shortened due to heavy rain delaying ground preparations in the area. Some National Federations, including Australia and the Netherlands, delayed announcing their teams as a result of uncertainty surrounding the course length.

While the WEG course will be set at the full 5,700 meters, the FEI also noted that “as foreseen in the rules, modifications can be made to the course by the Ground Jury during the event should adverse weather conditions be expected.”

It is not uncommon to see the length of the cross country course at a major championships altered due to severe weather. One notable example occurred at the 2008 Olympics, where the equestrian events took place in Hong Kong in an average high temperature of 83.1°F (28.4°C) with 82% humidity. Mike Etherington-Smith’s course was shortened from 10 minutes to 8 minutes due to concerns for horse welfare.

Two fences and an uphill climb were also removed from Pierre Michelet’s 2014 WEG course at Haras du Pin in France due to heavy rainfall, which shortened the course from 11 minutes, 30 seconds to 10 minutes, 30 seconds.

As for the conditions we can expect during the WEG at Tryon, the National Weather Service’s Greenville-Spartanburg office records an average high temperature of 84°F (28.9°C) and average humidity of 74.5% during September. The NWS told EN that normal rainfall of about 4 inches is predicted for the remainder of August and into September. Eventing for the WEG is set to run Sept. 12-16.

For more insights on Tryon’s WEG course, EN recommends listening to the most recent episode of the USEA Podcast, which features interviews with head course builder Eric Bull and course designer Capt. Mark Phillips.

The course will feature four surface changes in total. The first 8 minutes, 45 seconds will run on grass. Then the next 150 meters of the course will run on all-weather footing before going back to grass at the end of the 9th minute. The course will then run into the main arena to finish on all-weather footing.

Capt. Mark Phillips emphasized the need for a fit horse, as the 8th minute of the course is a 600-meter climb uphill, and said he thinks the optimum time will be very difficult to catch. Click here to listen to the full interview.

This article has been updated to include further details about the anticipated weather conditions during the WEG at Tryon.

Weekend Results: Intermediate Riders Dominate From Coast to Coast

By on Aug 12, 2018 3:45 pm -

Helen Bouscaren and Ebay won the Intermediate at Woodside this weekend. Photo by Shelby Allen.

You guys were busy out there in Eventing Nation this weekend! Let’s recognize some impressive Intermediate and CIC* riders from GMHA, Fair Hill, Otter Creek and Woodside:

GMHA Festival of Eventing

The Green Mountain Horse Association hosted their popular Festival of Eventing this weekend in beautiful South Woodstock, VT.

In the CIC*, Holly Jacks-Smither enjoyed a wire-to-wire win with her own Finely Brewed, a 7-year-old Thoroughbred (Milwaukee Brew x Capture The Spirit, by Conquistador Cielo). The pair finished on their dressage score of 27.3. You can watch their show jumping round below thanks to David Frechette:

Abby Maude was second with her own Stonehaven’s Dream. The 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse 4.4 cross country time penalties to add for a final result of 37.8. Sharon White finished third aboard Highlife’s Je T’aime, a 10-year-old Oldenburg (Der Dollar x  Juenesse D’or, by Lavarino) owned by Madeline Hartsock on 36.4 points.

In the Intermediate division, congratulations are due to Anna Loschiavo and Rodney Oakes and Gina Giudici-Oakes’s Prince Renan who picked up the win on a score of 34.6. The 15-year-old Thoroughbred was fourth after dressage and went on to add no penalties over the jumping phases. Watch their show jumping round:

Colleen Loach came in second with Qorry Blue D’Argouges, a 14-year-old Selle Francias (Mr. Blue x Hardie du Bourg) owned by Peter Barry.  The pair had 9.2 time penalties included in their three-phase result of 43.8. Sharon White was again third in this group, this time with her own Fashionably Late, an 8-year-old Thoroughbred cross (Aaron’s Gold x Fashion Plate, by Aristos B), on a score of 46.8.

GMHA Festival of Eventing August H.T.: Website, Live Scores

Fair Hill International

Fair Hill International had a bustling weekend with 17 horse trial divisions. Intermediate A was won by Lexi Scovil and her own Chico’s Man VDF Z, an 8-year-old Zangersheide (Chico’s Boy x  Chardonnay Z, by  Caretano Z). The pair was second on 31.2 after dressage, but a clear show jumping round put them into the lead, and a mere .8 time penalties on cross country confirmed the win.

Elizabeth Massa was second on a score of 35.8 with her own Theodore, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Unaniem x Marinus, by Faram). Dressage leaders Boyd Martin and Barry, a 9-year-old Thoroughbred owned by Boyd and Windurra USA, finished third with 39.7 points after two poles down and .4 cross country time penalties.

Boyd Martin piloting Kyra to a clear round in the pouring rain at Jersey Fresh this spring. Photo by Jenni Autry.

In the Intermediate B division, Christine Turner’s Kyra took the blue ribbon with Boyd Martin in the tack. The 11-year-old Canadian Warmblood (VDL Ulando H x Wellsley, by Weltstern) finished on her dressage score of 24.6.

Kelli Temple and Kara Angulo’s Metallica, an 8-year-old Holsteiner (Cancara x Ulysses, by Casall) earned second with one rail and 10.8 time penalties for a final result of 38.7. Third place went to Neil Donnelly with his own Fool Proof. The 15-year-old Holsteiner (Fuerst Gotthard x  Kachina, by Kalypso) finished inside the time on cross country, but had one pole down for a score of 41.1.

Fair Hill International H.T.: Website, Live Scores

Otter Creek Summer H.T. 

Genevieve Faith and Burned You Too. Photo via Genevieve’s Facebook Page.

In the small-but-mighty Intermediate division at the Otter Creek Summer H.T. Genevieve Faith finished first with her own Burned You Too. Only 12 cross country time penalties marred a final result of 61.8 for the 9-year-old Thoroughbred (Takur x Twice Singhed, by Twice Burned). Kristina Marth came second with her own MHS Fernhill Killey, a 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse on a score of 66.2.

Otter Creek Summer H.T.: Website, Live Scores

The Summer Event at Woodside

Meanwhile on the west coast, Helen Bouscaren was the big winner of the Intermediate class at Woodside’s Summer HT with her rising star Ebay. The 9-year-old Oldenburg (Escudo x Komtessa) finished on his dressage score of 32.7 as the only horse in the division to come home inside the time on cross country.

Jordan Linstedt and Janine Jaro’s  Staccato follow in second on 37.8. The 9-year-old Hanoverian (Stakkato x Certosa, by Charon) added only 4.4 cross country time penalties across the weekend. Shannon Lilley piloted Greenfort Carnival to a third place finish in the class. The 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Aughrim Knight x Easkey Princess) accumulated 6 time penalties in the cross country and one in the show jumping to finish on 42.7.

The Summer Event at Woodside: Website, Live Scores

 

WEG Hopefuls Out In Numbers at Hartpury, Haras du Pin, Strzegom

By on Aug 12, 2018 3:00 pm -

This was a signification weekend for high performance eventing around the world as the 2018 World Equestrian Games looms less than a month away. The nominated entry deadline is tomorrow, Monday August 13, and are still waiting for team confirmations from heavy hitters including Australia, Great Britain and France. For many, this weekend was a last chance to impress selectors, so we saw great competition across the continent and the U.K. at Hartpury, Strzegom and Haras du Pin.

Hartpury International

Tina Cook and Billy The Red. Photo by Gary Partridge/Hartpury International.

Tina Cook has had a bit of a rough year, but it looks to be turning right around as she and Billy The Red won the NAF Magic CIC3* at Hartpury International this weekend. She and Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson’s 11-year-old Baden-Württemberg gelding (Balou du Rouet X FBW Simply Red, by Stan The Man xx) were moved from fifth to first across the jumping phases adding just 1.2 cross country time penalties to finishing on a 26.8. Tina and “Billy” are both on Great Britain’s long list for WEG.

“Everything fell into place here, he nailed a good test because he is a world-class horse and I’m thrilled — it’s been a while since I’ve had a big win and it was a strong field. The ground was fantastic as was the course, and it was a great prep for the autumn events,” Tina said.

Second place belongs to WEG hopeful Piggy French. She and long listed Quarryquest Echo, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Clover Echo x Royal China, by Cavalier Royale) owned by Jayne McGivern, added only 0.4 cross country time penalties  for a three-phase score of 26.9. Piggy also earned an eighth place result with Trevor Dickens’s Vanir Kamira, who joins his stablemate on the WEG long list.

Sam Ecroyd and his own Wodan III came from outside the top ten to nab third place. The 15-year-old Anglo European gelding (Mr Concorde BJ x Tica, by Corland) had .8 time penalties added to close the weekend on 28.3 points.

In a leaderboard dominated by riders with goals of riding at the World Equestrian Games, Pippa Funnel joins the group after finishing fourth aboard Barbara and Nicholas Walkinshaw’s Billy Walk On, a 9-year-old Anglo European (Billy Mexico x Shannon Line, by Golden Bash). The pair finished on 31.2 points.

Bill Levett Elisabeth Murdoch’s 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse Lassban Diamond Lift (Easy Lift x Lassban Chow Bella, by Diamond Chin), who currently sit on Australia’s long list, finished fifth on a score of 31.4.

Hartpury International: Website, Results

[Cook is back on top]

Eventing Nations Cup at Haras du Pin

Maxime Livio and Pica d’Or. Photo via Hara du Pin.

Maxime Livio earned a decisive win of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup this weekend at Haras du Pin aboard Ecurio Livio and Soixante Sieze et Compagnie’s Pica d’Or, a 15-year-old Selle Francais (Tresor du Renom x Joyeuse Be d’Or, by  Hurlevent). Leading from the very beginning, the pair finished on their dressage score of 26.4. Maxime also finished 8th with Opium de Verrieres (31.5).

Louise Svensson Jähde and Waikiki 207. FEI/Libby Law Photo.

Louise Svensson Jähde, who has already been named to the Swedish team, and Waikiki 207 secured a clear show jumping round Sunday which moved them from fifth to second overall. The 12-year-old Holsteiner (Quinar x Sila, by San Patrignano Cassini), who is owned by Louise and Hans Thomsen, also finished on his dressage score of 29.4.

Great Britain’s Laura Collett and Mr. Bass earned a smashing third place finish with only 1.6 cross country time penalties marring and overall result of 30.4. This result is a shining addition to the 10-year-old Holsteiner’s (Carrico x K-Jeunesse, by Exorbitant xx) glowing resume as we await the finalization of the British team.

Andreas Ostholt and Eckl Wolf-Dieter’s Pennsylvania 28, an 18-year-old Hanoverian (Pik L x Winona, by Waldstar xx) finished fourth with a score of 30.4, and Richard Coney (GBR) was fifth on 30.6 aboard his own Kananaskis.

Potential Australian representatives in France this weekend included Emma McNab with Fernhill Tabasco, who finished 17th after having one pole down (35.4), Chris Burton with Cooley Lands, who finished 58th after 13.2 time penalties and one rail (45.5), and Robert Palm with Koko Story who finished 64th (51.4).

Looking to the team standings, France won gold in front of the home crowd, followed by the Netherlands for silver and Germany earned bronze.

FEI Nations Cup at Haras du Pin: Live Scoring, Live Streaming

Strzegom Summer Series

Sandra Auffarth and Viamant du Matz. Photo by Leszek Wójcik/Strzegom Horse Trials.

Reigning world champion Sandra Auffarth had a foot perfect weekend in the CIC3* class with Nikolaus Prinz von Croy’s Viamant du Matz. She and the 9-year-old Selle Francais stallion (Diamant de Semilly x Heralina, by Voltigeur le Malin) were the only pair to manage the time on cross country, and they kept on their dressage score of 28.8—a result which earned them the spot as first reserve pair for the German team at the World Equestrian Games.

“I had a great feeling yesterday in the cross country and I was very proud of my horse. I had a good feeling about the showjumping, because my horse is a good jumper. I’m very very happy, my test went really good for me and my horse. I think the showjumping course was quite difficult, but it made it exciting and fun to watch for the audience,” Sandra said.

Christoph Wahler (GER) and his own Carjatan S, a 9-year-old Holsteiner (Clearway x Kajenna, by Galant Vert), came in second with 0.4 time penalties added for a final result of 30.2. Andreas Dibowski secured third aboard FRH Corrida, a 9-year-old Hanoverian (Contendro I x Expo, by Espri) owned by BG Corrida. This duo finished with 32.7 points. Andreas also finished fifth (39.2) with Susanne Heigel’s It’s Me xx.

Standing European champions Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD slot into fourth place. Ingrid’s 14-year-old Oldenburg (Helikon xx x Goldige, by Noble Champion) took an easy cruise around the cross country for 8.8 time penalties added for a final mark of 34.

Both Andreas and Ingrid were named to the German WEG team shortly after the conclusion of show jumping. You can read the team announcement at this link.

Joining Ingrid in Tryon will be Michael Jung, Kai Rüder and Julia Krajewski, who finished 7th, 12th and 14th, respectively. Michael and his parents Brigitte and Joachim Jung’s fisherRocanna FST, a 13-year-old German Sport Horse (Ituango xx X Rose II, by Carismo) finished with 41.3 points after a confident spin around cross country added 13.2 points. Michael also won the CCI2* with Maria Stein’s Corazon.

Kai and Colani Sunrise, a 12-year-old Oldenburg (Chico’s Boy x  Larissa, by  Laudatio) owned by Bernhard Reemtsma. 15.6 time penalties were added to their dressage score for a weekend result of 45.8.

Fresh off their win at Aachen, Julia and Chipmunk FRH, a 10-year-old Hanoverian (Contendro I X Havanna, by Heraldik I) owned by Dr. Hilmer Meyer-Kulenkampff had the same finishing time as Michael and Roxy, but also had to poles in the show jumping for a final score of 48.4.

Julia Krajewski and Samourai du Thot. Photo by Leszek Wójcik/Strzegom Horse Trials.

In the CIC2*, Julia Krajewski took top honors with veteran partner Samourai du Thot. The 12-year-old Selle Francais (Milor Landais x Melitos du Thot, by Flipper d’Elle) looks to be coming back into form after elimination at Aachen CIC3* last month. This weekend he added 4.4 cross country time penalties to finish on 27.6.

Strzegom Summer Tour: Website, Live Scoring

Germany Announces Team for 2018 World Equestrian Games

By on Aug 12, 2018 12:46 pm -

Julia Krajewski and Chipmunk FRH. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Following the final selection trial at Strzegom this weekend, The DOKR has officially named the  horses and riders who will represent Germany at the 2018 World Equestrian Games. WEG will be hosted at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina, September 12-16.

Here are the riders listed in alphabetical order:

  • Andreas Dibowski and FRH Butts Avedon, a 15-year-old Hanoverian (Heraldik xx x Karina-Andora, by Kronenkranich xx) owned by Manfred Giensch, Anne-Kathrin Butt and Andreas, and FRH Corrida, a 9-year-old Hanoverian (Contendro I x Expo, by  Espri) owned by BG Corrida.
  • Michael Jung and fisherRocana FST, 13-year-old German Sport Horse (Ituango xx x Rose II, by Carismo) owned by Brigitte and Joachim Jung.
  • Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD, 14-year-old Oldenburg (Helikon xx x Goldige, by Noble Champion) owned by Ingrid.
  • Julia Krajewski and Chipmunk FRH, a 10-year-old Hanoverian (Contendro I x Havanna, by Heraldik I) owned by Dr. Hilmer Meyer-Kulenkampff.
  • Kai Rüder and Colani Sunrise, a 12-year-old Oldenburg (Chico’s Boy x  Larissa, by  Laudatio) owned by Bernhard Reemtsma.

The following have been listed as reserve combinations:

  • Sandra Auffarth and Nikolaus Prinz von Croy’s Viamant du Matz
  • Josefa Sommer and Florian Appe’s Hamilton 24.
  • Jörg Kurbel and Nico Hauf’s Josera’s Entertain You

[Shortlist- das sind die Kandidaten für die WEG in Tryon (USA)]

 

Sunday Video: Equestrians Take on The ‘In My Feelings’ Challenge

By on Aug 12, 2018 12:00 pm -

The In My Feelings Challenge has been hugely popular this summer, and it was only a matter of time until it permeated the horse world. Now we’ve seen riders across multiple disciplines dance to Drake’s hit song, “In My Feelings.”

Our sister site Jumper Nation dubbed Brittni Raflowitz up as a winner. Here’s her video:

Geena Martin has emerged as the dressage representative, showing off tempi changes in some sort of new age freestyle:

OS Dressage presents the “KeKe Challenge” 😊 We had a lot of fun with this!! 🦄💕

Posted by Geena S. Martin on Tuesday, August 7, 2018

We’ve saved the best for last as the fabulous eventer Lainey Ashker stepped up to take the challenge:

Leave it to the horse girls to show out in the #InMyFeelingChallenge. Go Eventing.

#EventerSolutions: One Man’s Junk Is Another Man’s Jump

By on Aug 12, 2018 10:30 am -

Where there are #EventerProblems there are #EventerSolutions, as we horsefolks tend to be a pretty crafty, resourceful and frugal (read: broke) bunch. In this spinoff series we spotlight some of your most inventive problem-solving masterpieces. Be sure to tag your photos with the hashtag #EventerSolutions on social for inclusion in future editions!

The creativity of eventers knows no bounds! Here’s your latest batch of DIY barn hacks, starting with this skinny YOU TOO could have in your field — just hit up your local Craigslist for some $10-a-pop plastic barrels and go!

Don't have a pull thru? Make one out of a twig and baling wire! #eventersolutions #eureka

A post shared by Paige (@pmontyeventing) on

Go Eventing.

Your Sunday Live Stream Hookup: Haras du Pin, Strzegom, Pony Europeans

By on Aug 12, 2018 8:20 am -

What’s a Sunday morning without a cross country live stream? Thankfully we don’t have to face that reality today! Grab a cup of coffee and settle in for the final day of the Eventing Nations Cup at Haras du Pin. This is a key competition in the lineup to WEG as selectors will be keeping a careful eye on the competition. So, jump right in or start from the beginning to get a taste of all the action. Click here to rewatch the cross country stream. Show jumping begins at 2:45 p.m. local time/8:45 a.m. EST.

FEI Nations Cup at Haras du Pin: Start Times and Live Scoring, Live Streaming

If this isn’t quite enough for you, the Germans are out in force at Strzegom this weekend, with WEG nominated entries due tomorrow, this event will solidify the German team. With Michael Jung, Ingrid Klimke, Julia Krajewski and more in the CIC3*, you won’t want to miss a second of the action. The top 22 show jump at 3:15 p.m. local time/9:15 a.m. EST. Watch it live on their Facebook page at this link.

Strzegom Summer Tour: Website, Start Times and Live Scoring

While those two certainly are exciting, your heart will soar when you get a glimpse of the FEI Pony European Championships. These are some fierce competitors in an adorable package, and the show jump at 1:30 p.m. local time/8:30 a.m. EST. Click here to rewatch their cross country day.

Bishop Burton European Pony Championships: Website, Live Stream, Live Scores

 

Sunday Links Presented by One K Helmets

By on Aug 12, 2018 12:01 am -

Costa Rica at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games. Photo courtesy of Walter Vargas.

Such fun was had at the 2018 Central American Caribbean Games last month! Pictured are members of the Costa Rican team, who were coached by Waylon Roberts. Together they finished fourth. It is a treat to see our sport growing and thriving around the world. Catch up on our report of the competition at this link.

National Holiday: National Middle Child Day

Major Events This Week:

Hartpury International [Entries] [Results]

Strzegom Summer Tour [Start Times and Live Scoring]

FEI Nations Cup at Haras du Pin [Start Times and Live Scoring] [Live Streaming]

U.S. Weekend Action:

GMHA Festival of Eventing August H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Fair Hill International H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

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

Otter Creek Summer H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

The Summer Event at Woodside [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Area VII Young Rider Benefit H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Times/Results]

Sunday Links:

Area III Seeks Volunteer Treasurer

Announcing Jumper Nation’s First Annual Blogger Contest

Developing Elasticity in the Dressage Horse with Isabell Werth

Through the Lens: Millbrook Horse Trials

Hock-height water best for horse back rehab, treadmill study suggests

Behavior of Horses With, Without Gastric Ulcers Compared

USEF Names Definite Entries for 2018 FEI World Singles Driving Championships

A 14-Hand Full Thoroughbred Pony Is Everything You Didn’t Know You Needed From Pony Jumper Championships

Sunday Video:

Young Rider Channels Mark Todd, Completes Pony Europeans Cross Country with One Stirrup

By on Aug 11, 2018 3:30 pm -

Louise Van Dijck and Gasmann B van het Juxschot. Photo via Equifan’s Facebook Page.

When 15-year-old Louise Van Dijck left the start box at the FEI Pony European Championships aboard Van Acker’s Gasmann B van het Juxschot, she was prepared and ready—but triumph nearly turned to tragedy when her stirrup leather snapped early in the course.

Without a hint of hesitation Louise kicked on, bearing a strong resemblance to eventing icon Mark Todd who infamously completed Badminton’s cross country in 1995 with only one stirrup. Check her out below, where the video should be queued up to her first camera appearance, if not her ride starts at 2:17:58:

“He’s a good pony he jumped—he never stopped. I did it for the team. We have the best team,” Louise, who is riding for Belgium, commented in an on-camera interview after her ride, noting her pony thought the stirrup “was not necessary.”

Placed 10th after dressage on a 31, she and her pony were in striking distance of an individual medal by their start time. While the two picked up fifty time penalties, we think she’s earned the title of Miss Stickability and certainly deserves some recognition as our standing reminder to add no stirrup work into our regular riding routines.

This was no soft course Louise was up against, and the results are proof of that. The leaderboard saw a major shuffle with dressage leaders from Germany falling out of medal position to make way for Great Britain, Ireland and France to take first, second and third, respectively.

Go Louise. Go Eventing.

FEI Pony European Championships: Website, Start Times and Live Scores, Live Stream

[Team GB In Gold Medal Position]

Belgium Names Team for 2018 World Equestrian Games

By on Aug 11, 2018 12:00 pm -

Karin Donckers and Fletcha van’t Verahof. Photo by Jenni Autry.

With exactly one month to go until the opening ceremonies, Belgium has announced their eventing squad for the 2018 World Equestrian Games, which will be held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina. The eventing competition will take place September 12-16.

Alec van den Abeele will serve as chef d’equipe and Marc Rigouts will be the manager for the Belgian team in Tryon.

Congratulations to the following horse and rider combinations:

  • Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Alpaga d’Arville, a 12-year-old SBS (Wunder Boy van de Zuuthoeve x Mooney Raaphorst XX, by Shamaraan XX) owned by Larga SPRL.
  • Karin Donckers and Fletcha van ‘t Verahof, a 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Southern Queen XX, by South Gale XX) owned by Karin, Joris De Brabander and Carl Bouckaert.
  • Giel Vanhouche and Azrael, a 10-year-old Holsteiner (Armand XX x Z-Luna, by Landgraf I) owned by Stal Viktory and Giel.
  • Joris Vanspringel and Imperial van de Holtakkers, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Quidam de Revel x Ava vd Holtakkers, by Argentinus) owned by Joris and Holstrust & Catharina Speerstra.

Drama has swirled in recent weeks amidst discussions that the length of Captain Mark Phillip’s cross country course may be shortened due to severe weather this summer. Many nations, including Australia, postponed final team announcements until “formal advice from the FEI and the Tryon Organising Committee of the details and distances of the cross-country course,” which they expected yesterday, August 10. Final nominated entries are due by Monday, August 13, so we can expect a flurry of finalizations next week.

To check out progress on the Tryon WEG venue, visit our gallery from July 26 here.

[Selecties World Equestrian Games Tryon.]