Classic Eventing Nation

Strzegom Underway in Poland with Sara Algotsson Ostholt Leading CCI3*

By on Jun 28, 2018 4:30 pm -

Sara Algotsson Ostholt and Wega. Photo by Leszek Wójcik/LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials.

Poland’s LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials is an important competition, especially in a championship year with several nations still ironing our their World Equestrian Games lineups. It’s also on the FEI Eventing Nations Cup fixture, with the CIC3* and team competition kicking off tomorrow.

The CCI3* division completed its dressage today at the Morawa hippodrome. Sweden’s Sara Algotsson Ostholt is the leader aboard Wega, a 17-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare (Irco Mena x La Fair, by Labrador 58) owned by Margareta Algotsson. The pair scored a 26.0.

“Wega was fantastic!,” Sara says. “She was amazing to ride, she loves to show off in the dressage arena, and she did so today.”

The Ostholt family was well-represented at the top of the CCI3* leaderboard, with Andreas Ostholt and So Is Et in 4th and Frank Ostholt and Jum Jum in 6th. Both represent Germany. Linda Ostholt sits 10th in the CIC2* and has two horses in the CIC3*.

Karin Donckers of Belgium, a veteran of the event, and the Belgian-bred gelding Fletcha van’t Verahof sit 2nd in the CCI3* on 26.8. “I had a good feeling about our test with Fletcha,” she says. “I’m happy with how it went, I’m really pleased with my horse. It’s been a very good year for him.”

Christoph Wahler of Germany and Carjatan S are 3rd on 27.1. The only Polish rider in the CCI3* is Artur Społowicz with Poker, currently 12th after dressage.

In the CCI2*, German rider Kai Ruder has taken the lead with Chicago M. Sara Algotsson Ostholt is currently 2nd and 3rd with Arpertina and Cesar accordingly. Poland’s Margit Appelt and Born to Fly lead the CIC1*.

More tomorrow!

Strzegom Top 10 After Dressage: 

Strzegom: Website, Ride Times, Schedule, Course Preview, Live Stream, CCI3* Live Scores

U.S. WEG Team Horses to Compete in Combined Test at Great Meadow [Updated]

By on Jun 28, 2018 12:49 pm -

Lynn Symansky and Donner competing at Great Meadow 2017. Photo by Jenni Autry.

In addition to hosting the FEI Nations Cup on July 6-8 in The Plains, Virginia, the Brook Ledge Great Meadow International will also host a combined test for horses and riders named to the U.S. WEG Eventing Team.

Four of the five horses named to the U.S. WEG team will compete in the combined test alongside three of the reserve horses. The combinations will perform 2017 4* Dressage Test B, the same test that will be used at WEG, and tackle Marc Donovan’s show jumping course.

The following U.S. WEG team combinations will compete in the combined test:

  • Phillip Dutton and Z
  • Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus
  • Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg
  • Lynn Symansky and Donner

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous, the fifth combination named to the team, will not be be competing in the combined test at Great Meadow and instead will be at Tryon International Equestrian Center for show jumping at Tryon Summer 4. You can follow results here.

The following U.S. WEG team reserve combinations will also compete in the combined test at Great Meadow:

  • Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready
  • Lauren Kieffer and Veronica
  • Sharon White and Cooley On Show

The action at Great Meadow begins Friday, July 6 with the CICO3* first horse inspection at 3 p.m., followed by dressage for the combined test at 4:30 p.m. CICO3* dressage will take place Saturday, July 7 starting at 8 a.m., with show jumping for the CICO3* at 5:40 p.m., followed by show jumping for the combined test. Cross country for the CICO3* will take place Sunday, July 8 at 9:30 a.m.

General admission tickets are $25 for a one-day car pass or $40 for a weekend car pass, and parking is free. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the U.S. WEG team horses in action! Click here to view the full event schedule.

Follow the Brook Ledge Great Meadow International, presented by Adequan, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Go Eventing.

This article has been updated with details on RF Scandalous and Marilyn Little’s show schedule.

Great Meadow Links: Website, Entries, Schedule, Tickets

The Horses That Heal Us

By on Jun 28, 2018 10:00 am -

“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” – Winston Churchill. Photo by Kate Boggan.

It is a phenomenon that is represented throughout literature, movies and even some country songs; horses have a miraculous ability to capture people’s hearts. I have yet to come across a person who can’t at least admit that horses are beautiful creatures. I have met plenty who are scared of their large size, or aren’t too fond of the way they smell, but I do not know a human being that doesn’t in some way appreciate horses. Equestrians are the lucky ones whose DNA programs them to go beyond a general appreciation and instead be consumed by an overwhelming passion.

This passion leads to many different avenues for horse enthusiasts. Some of us pursue professional careers within the equine industry as riders, trainers, breeders or vets. Some of us turn into weekend warriors hauling our trusty steeds to shows, events, trail rides or rodeos. And some of us simply enjoy the company of these magnificent animals as they happily graze through the years and fill our hearts with joy.

It’s hard not to smile when you have such an amazing partner. Photo by Shannon Boggan.

These horses that bring us so much happiness can also bring healing. My freshman year of high school my parents bought me the horse that was going to take me through Prelim. Natural Disaster (Nate) was an 8-year-old OTTB and was going to be my serious competition horse. Nate took me to my first Novice and then my first recognized show. We qualified for the American Eventing Championships that first year of competition. Nate was the biggest dork of a horse and didn’t have a mean bone in his body. He got angry at himself when he hit rails and one of his favorite treats was glazed donuts. Nate was everything I could have dreamed of until he wasn’t.

The summer of 2011 we learned my beautiful horse had kidney disease and the vet gave him three years to live. Nate didn’t make it to that September. As a junior in high school I experienced my first heartbreak, not from a high school boy, but from having to say goodbye to my best friend in the whole world. Everyone who has ever lost a beloved horse will know exactly what a heart shattering and painful experience it is. I cried every day for a good two months and then at least once a week for a while after that. Friends at the barn left flowers and cards at Nate’s stall and I spent a lot of time looking through pictures of Nate and me trying to wrap my head around the fact that he was really gone.

Sometime in the month or so after we had to put Nate down one of the wonderful ladies at the barn offered me a ride on her retired event horse. Handsome Ran Some was a 20-year-old OTTB and to this day is one of the hottest horses I have ever sat on. His owner Lori Sitez let me bring the tall, dark and handsome horse out of retirement so I had something to ride. While I never officially owned Ran Some, that winter he became my horse and I became his kid.

His first time swimming and he was such a good sport. Photo by Shannon Boggan.

I spent jump lessons hanging on for dear life and laughing with glee as Ran Some barreled down to each fence like he was worried the fence would try to run away if he didn’t get there fast enough. We went to local schooling shows and trail rides at the barn. I’ll never forget the day a group of us decided to take the horses swimming in the pond at the back of the property. Lori pulled up to the barn right as I was getting on Ran Some bareback and I thought Lori was going to have a heart attack. She couldn’t believe I was brave/dumb enough to ride Ran Some bareback out on the trails. Lori was sure he would lose his mind and I would have a long walk home. But he did no such thing and the only casualty of the trip was a baseball cap that I’m sure is still sunk in the mud in the middle of the pond.

In another year I once again had a horse of my own and Ran Some went back to being retired. I still gave him cookies every day when I walked by his stall and I would pull him out every once in a while to keep his mane pulled and give him a good bath or a brush. I moved off to college and our barn back home closed and Ran Some moved with Lori to the new boarding facility she and her husband opened up, Fine Print Farms.

The old man still had some moves! Photo by Shannon Boggan.

I am now entering my second year of my master’s program and have started working with a new young horse. Last night around midnight I got a text from Lori. The now 27-year-old handsome Ran Some isn’t doing too well. He’s become cushingoid over the past few years and is now having some neurological problems. My phone screen became blurry as I attempted to type a response through the tears welling up in my eyes. Ran Some and I never went to a recognized show, never qualified for any championships, we never won any huge class, and we never even jumped higher than 2’9″. I didn’t own Ran Some and I only rode him for about a year. In that year Ran Some did more for me to heal my broken heart than any person was able to. Ran Some was the first horse I loved after I lost Nate and he will always hold a treasured spot in my heart for helping me find joy in the saddle again.

I’ll be making a trip home to San Antonio, Texas, next weekend to give Lori a hug and hopefully see Ran Some one last time. I know there will be lots of tears and I’ll feel that familiar ache in my heart again — it’s the price we pay to love something so deeply. I know soon Ran Some and Nate will be happily grazing together waiting for their humans to return along with all the other beloved horses in those endless green pastures. And I know that just like Ran Some did for me seven years ago there will be a little OTTB mare waiting for me at the barn to bring me joy and healing.

You were deeply loved and you will be deeply missed. Photo by Kate Boggan.

Great Britain Announces Long List for 2018 World Equestrian Games

By on Jun 28, 2018 7:31 am -

Laura Collett and Mr. Bass. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The British Equestrian Federation has announced the long-listed and reserve combinations, selected by the British Eventing senior selectors, for the FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon.

The athletes named on the long list are (in alphabetical order):

Sarah Bullimore with Chris and Sue Gillespie and Brett Bullimore’s Reve Du Rouet

Ros Canter with Caroline Moore and her own Allstar B, and her own Zenshera

Laura Collett with Nick How, Keith Scott and her own Mr Bass

Tina Cook with Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson’s Billy The Red

Piggy French with Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo, and Trevor Dickens’s Vanir Kamira

Kitty King with Diana Bown, Jacqueline Owen and Samantha Wilson’s Ceylor L A N

Tom McEwen with Jane Inns, Ali McEwen and his own Toledo de Kerser

Harry Meade with Charlotte Opperman’s Away Cruising

Gemma Tattersall with The Soul Syndicate and her own Arctic Soul

Oliver Townend with Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan’s Ballaghmor Class, Angela Hislop’s Cooley Master Class and Angela Hislop’s Cooley SRS

Nicola Wilson with James and Jo Lambert’s Bulana

The reserve combinations announced are (in alphabetical order):

Alex Bragg with Sally Ellicott’s Zagreb

Emilie Chandler with Sally Williams and Nicola Dickson’s Coopers Law

William Fox-Pitt with Jennifer Dowling’s Little Fire

Kitty King with Diana Bown, Sally Lloyd Baker, Sally Eyre and Samantha Wilson’s Vendredi Biats

Imogen Murray with Aivar Ward and M S Team’s Ivar Gooden

Gemma Tattersall with Clive Smith’s Pamero 4

The squad of five will be announced at the beginning of August. A total of 15 combinations will be submitted to the FEI as the nominated entries on August, 13 2018.

“It is fantastic to have such a strong group of combinations long-listed for this year’s World championships,” Richard Waygood, Eventing Performance Manager, said. “There have been some impressive performances across the board so far this season and I’m very excited to be working with such a superb group of athletes.”

[GB’s long-list is announced for FEI World Equestrian Games]

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

By on Jun 28, 2018 12:03 am -

Emma Ford congratulates Z on his win. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

With yet another horse from True Prospect Farm heading to a championship for USA, it’s no secret that a large part of their success lies with Emma Ford. Good news for you guys, now is your chance to learn from the best! Emma will be hosting four two-hour clinics at TPF in July, on each Monday. You’ll get the chance to learn about stable management, grooming, show turnout, and leg care plus much much more. Don’t miss out! [Register Here]

National Holiday: National Insurance Awareness Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Groton House Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Horse Park of New Jersey I H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

South Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

News From Around the Globe:

Last year, Madeline Backus had an incredible rise to stardom with her long time partner, PS Arianna. This year, she was awarded the inaugural Wilton Fair Grant, and went over the pond to work with Irish international rider Austin O’Connor at Attington Stud in Thame, Oxforshire with two horses. Her goals were high, and her fairytale was becoming reality, but as it is in the horse world, plans don’t always follow a straight line. [Villains and Victories Throughout My Fairytale]

Volunteer role call!!! The 2018 Event at Rebecca Farm is in need of volunteers, so if you’re anywhere near there, don’t miss out on an opportunity to get involved. In it’s 17th year, The Event will be held July 18-22, and regularly attracts people from all over the world. There is a reason this event is a bucket list item for so many riders, so apply here to become part of the team! [Rebecca Farm Needs Volunteers]

Eventers worldwide are getting behind the movement to #WearGreenForJonty as they compete each weekend. Highly likable and genuine Jonty Evans was injured in a fall on the 3rd of June at Tattersalls, and sustained large amounts of brain damage, leaving him still unconscious at this time. In order to show support for Jonty and his family as he recovers in the hospital, four-star riders around the world are encouraging others to wear a bit of green as they go around cross country, and contribute to the social media hashtag. [Wearing Green for Jonty]

Hot on Horse Nation: The Return of the Tongue-In-Cheek Pros and Cons of Breeds

Today is National Insurance Awareness day, so are you aware of your insurance options for your horse? Figuring out how to protect your best friend and keep your budget intact isn’t that hard, all you have to do is fill out this simple questionnaire with Taylor Harris Insurance Services, and they’ll do the rest. Now you can get back to riding! [Request a Quote]

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: The Most Exciting Helmet Cam

By on Jun 27, 2018 5:00 pm -

We’ve watched a lot of helmet cams of eventers on cross country galloping through open fields, down wide wooded paths and over a course that flows in a smooth, logical way.

This helmet cam is different. And it is one of the best ones I’ve ever seen.

At the Carlanstown Novice Hunter Trials, two kids and their ponies jump off the starting line like their tails are on fire. While watching I thought maybe these young riders could stand to take a tug or two, but it still looks like an absolute blast!

These competitors aren’t negotiating your run of the mill cross country course. They don’t just jump in and run through water, they gallop down the length of what appears to be a river.

And they don’t just run down a wooded path, they negotiate — at speed — a claustrophobically narrow trail which might have been created by deer.

And I don’t know what exactly you’d call this question … steps up out of a canyon? But it looks like fun.

They must have walked this course 20 times! There are fences everywhere, narrow openings in the tree line and I have absolutely no idea which way they’re going to turn at any given moment.

The whole trip is punctuated by the rider’s high praise and delight for her incredibly game little horse. While the video ends with her taking a tumble in one of the many water crossings (she remounted unharmed and finished the round), you’re left with the desire to forget another flat day and go careering over hill and dale with a barn buddy instead.

Summer Games® Electrolyte
Fight back against electrolyte imbalance and dehydration.

Don’t let electrolyte imbalances and dehydration take a toll on your horse’s performance this show season. Developed for the equine athletes competing at the 1996 Olympic Games, Summer Games is a unique blend of both electrolytes and trace minerals specifically formulated to replenish critical electrolytes in the proper ratios. Summer Games supports healthy electrolyte balance so horses stay hydrated, perform at optimal levels, and recover faster after exercise.

Just a few of the benefits of Summer Games Electrolyte:

• Adjustable serving rates let you easily meet your horse’s individual electrolyte needs.
• Affordable price allows you to consistently replenish key electrolytes in appropriate ratios all season long.
• Concentrated, low-sugar formula replaces both key electrolytes and critical trace minerals in the actual amounts that are lost from sweating.
• Research-proven ingredients stimulate the thirst response and keep horses drinking.

The horse that matters to you matters to us®. Not sure which horse supplement best meets your horse’s needs? We are here to help. Contact Kentucky Performance Products, LLC at 859-873-2974 or visit our website at KPPusa.com.

#EventerProblems Vol. 148 from Ecovet: Summer Bummers

By on Jun 27, 2018 2:00 pm -

Bum-crack of dawn rides, scary tanlines, sizzling temperatures, storms that turn horse shows into mud wrestling tournaments (we see you, Fox River Valley Pony Club H.T.!) … some #EventerProblems are particularly rampant this time of the year.

Here’s a sampling!

And so it begins… #glovetan #equestrianproblems #eventerproblems

A post shared by Chris Chan (@rgsporthorses) on

Medieval fun in the mid #eventerproblems

A post shared by missliss6 (@missliss6) on

But for all our summer struggles, the season has its perks, too!

Well…

Go Eventing!

US Equestrian Announces Nations Cup Teams for Great Meadow & Aachen

By on Jun 27, 2018 11:18 am -
Hot off the presses! US Equestrian has announced the combinations that will compete on the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Teams for both the FEI Eventing Nations Cup CICO3* at the Brook Ledge Great Meadow International in The Plains, Virginia on July 6-8 and the FEI Eventing Nations Cup CICO3* at Aachen, Germany on July 19-21.U.S. Eventing Chef d’Equipe Erik Duvander will coach both teams.

The following combinations will make up the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at Great Meadow (listed in alphabetical order:

Buck Davidson (Ocala, FL) with Park Trader, Carl and Cassandra Segal’s 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) with Sportsfield Candy, Kevin Keane’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Sydney Conley Elliott (Bossier City, LA) with Cisko A, Carol Stephens’s 12-year-old Westphalian gelding

Caroline Martin (Miami Beach, FL) with Spring Easy, the 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding she owns with Sherrie Martin

The following will serve as the reserve combinations for Great Meadow (listed in alphabetical order):

Kristen Bond (Shamong, NJ) with Enough Already, Liz Bond’s 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding

Lillian Heard (Cochranville, PA) with LCC Barnaby, her 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Lauren Kieffer (The Plains, VA) with Paramount Importance, Jacqueline Mars’s 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding

The following combinations have been selected for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the FEI Eventing Nations Cup CICO3* at Aachen (listed in alphabetical order):

Will Coleman (Charlottesville, VA) with OBOS O’Reilly, Four Star Eventing Group’s 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Buck Davidson with Carlevo, Carlevo LLC’s 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding

Lauren Kieffer with Landmark’s Monte Carlo, Jacqueline Mars’s 12-year-old Irish Thoroughbred cross gelding

Kim Severson (Charlottesville, Va.) with Cooley Cross Border, The Cross Syndicate’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Caroline Martin and Spring Easy will serve as the reserve combination.

Find out more about the Brook Ledge Great Meadow International presented by Adequan and CHIO Aachen.

Stay up to date on U.S. Eventing by following US Equestrian on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and follow USA Eventing on Facebook. Use #USAEventing.

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members.

[US Equestrian Announces Land Rover U.S. Eventing Teams for FEI Eventing Nations Cup USA, CICO3* Aachen]

Let’s Discuss: What’s the Worst Way You’ve Gotten Eliminated at an Event?

By on Jun 27, 2018 8:00 am -

Today’s “Let’s Discuss” topic was inspired by Amy Nelson, EN blogger and trainer at Hummingbird Stables in Rochester, Illinois. She asks, “What’s the worst way you’ve ever gotten eliminated in eventing?”

Hers: Over the weekend at Fox River Valley Pony Club H.T.: “Young Prelim horse River spooked at VIP and giant American flag in dressage. Bolted. Jumped out of the ring. Had some 6.5s and 6.0s until then. Crowd dove out of the way screaming as they thought he was jumping the wood arena fence too. I figured here we go … better two-point.”

“One second you’re the windshield. Next second you’re the bug,” Amy says. “For the record I did NOT fall off and no one in the crowd was injured.”

Hey, letter scores happen. Tell us in the comments what is the worst way YOU have gotten eliminated at an event?

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Jun 27, 2018 12:01 am -

Lynn Symansky and Donner. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

A huge congrats to all our US Equestrian Eventing team squad members, but in particular I have to give a shout out to Lynn Symansky and her super Thoroughbred Donner. Donner has been one of my favorites since I watched him win the giant Open Intermediate championships at the AEC as a young horse, and my love for ‘The Deer’ has only grown through the years as he’s tackled course after course. Go Lynn, go OTTBs, go USA, and go eventing!

National Holiday: Sun Glasses Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Groton House Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Horse Park of New Jersey I H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

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

Your Wednesday News & Notes

Support Area VII Young Riders by accessing their online auction offering amazing packages at Rebecca Farm, site of NAYC 2018! Up-for-bid items include Patron Packages featuring a cocktail meet-and-greet with Area VII NAJYRC team, coaches and staff during the event, patron passes, Area VII gear, and a course walk for two with cross country course designer Ian Stark. [Area VII Young Rider Online Auction Fundraiser]

In support of the world’s greatest crowdfunder in his fight to regain health, please #weargreenforJonty. Alice Dunsdon and Eventing Worldwide are urging everyone to wear something green to show Jonty’s family support in this difficult time. Eventing Worldwide even has shirts and wristbands that you can purchase, with proceeds going towards the David Foster Injured Riders’ Fun, Jonty’s chosen charity. [#weargreenforJonty]

The Chronicle of the Horse snuck into the stall of the most recently minted U.S. four-star horse, Deniro Z. Turns out Deniro has become quite the king of the barn now that he’s a bona fide four-star horse. In his free time, he loves antagonizing Liz’s dog, Arnold. [Behind the Stall Door]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week – It’s all about the base, ‘bout that base, no kidding.

No matter what kind of footing you choose for you arena, it will not work properly without the appropriate base. Say for instance, your footing is uneven. The one solution would be to harrow it. And harrow it. And harrow it some more. But the only way to get that surface you want is to level that base. All the harrowing in the world will not fix uneven footing.

Now say your footing runs shallow and deep, or has pockets of deep and uneven footing. The good news is that it can be laser graded. The bad news is the undulations in the base will still recur and once again you will have “deep spots”.

For footing success, the base needs to DRAIN properly and be leveled properly.

That is why Attwood compacts and laser levels the base to our specifications for slope before any footing is installed. Of course base recommendations vary by footing choices, location (hilly or flat), and what part of the country your arena is being built (wet or dry).

Unsure about your existing base or planning a new arena, please give us a call 888-461-7788. Let our years of experience be your guide.  We will make sure “every inch of it is perfect from the bottom to the top”.

Wednesday Video: Boyd Martin opened the new gallop track at Windurra on Sunday, which features footing from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces. The gallop track is kid tested and approved!