Classic Eventing Nation

Canada Names Nations Cup Team for Great Meadow CICO3*

By on Jun 29, 2018 10:45 am -

Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me at The Fork 2018. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Equestrian Canada has named the Nations Cup team that will compete in the Brook Ledge Great Meadow International CICO3* on July 6-8 in The Plains, Virginia.

Congratulations to the following horses and riders (listed in alphabetical order by rider name):

  • Lisa Marie Fergusson (Vancouver, BC) and Honor Me, her own 12-year-old Welsh Sport Horse gelding
  • Selena O’Hanlon (Kingston, ON) and John and Judy Rumble’s Foxwood High, a 15-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding
  • Jessica Phoenix (Cannington, ON) and her own Pavarotti, a 16-year-old Westphalian gelding
  • Waylon Roberts (Port Perry, ON) and Anthony Connoly and L. Skye Levely’s Kelecyn Cognac, a 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding

The following Canadian combinations will also compete at Great Meadow as individuals:

  • Shelby Brost (Red Deer, AB) and her own Crimson, a 15-year-old Thoroughbred mare
  • Jessica Phoenix (Cannington, ON) and Amara Hoppner’s Bogue Sound, an 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding
  • Waylon Roberts (Port Perry, ON) and Michelle & John Koppin’s Lancaster, an 11-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding

The Canadian athletes will be supported at Great Meadow by Dr. Rob Stevenson, Chef d’Équipe; David O’Connor, Technical Advisor; Dr. Jan Henriksen, Team Veterinarian; Dr. Usha Knabe, Equine Therapist; and Fleur Tipton, EC Eventing Manager.

[Canadian Eventing Athletes Named for 2018 Brook Ledge Great Meadow International FEI Eventing Nations Cup]

‘Special Water Training’ with Michael Jung

By on Jun 29, 2018 9:00 am -

Special Water training 💪🏼💦 #eventing #watertraining #happyhorses #summer #teamjung

A post shared by MichaelJungOfficialNews (@michaeljungofficialnews) on

Hashtag “happy horses” indeed! Watch Michi Jung’s youngsters (Jungsters?) happily popping off a Prelim-sized drop into water. Between the music and Michael’s quiet, positive methodology and the clockwise lunging on repeat ad infinitum, there’s something mesmerizing about this video. If your Friday gets stressful, consider this a soft landing.

The eye-catching grey is fischerDaily Impressed, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Cartani 4 x Impression, by Elcaro) who has been doing quite well for himself on the jumper circuit with Michael. His cross-training paid off at this recent derby obstacle!

Go Eventing!

Friday News & Notes from Legends Horse Feeds

By on Jun 29, 2018 12:03 am -

Just a little Turkey doing some springy jumping!

Hey it’s time for your weekly update on my horses! So fun, I know. Mostly I’m just unreasonably excited about my young OTTB, Turkey, and I can’t help but tell everybody about everything that he’s doing. Maybe I should channel myself into a blog for EN instead of just bombarding strangers on the street with facts and photos about how gosh darn cute he is and how fun he is to ride and how much he loves being broomed on the face. Yeah, brooming. Lainey taught me to identify champions by brooming them and I’ll never stop because so far it’s proven accurate.

National Holiday: National Waffle Iron 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:

Volunteer recruitment is underway for the The 2018 Event at Rebecca Farm, to be held July 18-22 in Kalispell, Montana. Organizer Sarah Broussard says, “Our amazing volunteers are what make putting on one of the largest equestrian triathlons in the United States possible. I could not be more thankful for them. The Event has a strong sense of community, and that is what creates such a spectacular atmosphere.” Rebecca Farm offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, ranging from score running and jump judging to food service and hospitality. No prior experience is necessary to volunteer. Broussard encourages all adults and teens 16 and older to volunteer. Teens 13-15 are welcome, but must have a parent or adult guardian on site. Children ages 10-12 may volunteer alongside a parent or legal guardian. [Get Involved]

The Horse Park of New Jersey (HPNJ) is a multi-use equestrian facility in Allentown, New Jersey (Area II) that hosts two USEA recognized events each summer. With thirty years under their belt, HPNJ knows how to put on a first rate competition, and not only at Jersey Fresh. The first event offers Beginner Novice through Advanced levels as well as USEA Young, Future, and New Event Horse divisions while the second event offers Beginner Novice through Intermediate in addition to CIC* and CIC2* divisions. [USEA Events A-Z: Horse Park of New Jersey]

Best of Blogs: The Horses That Heal Us

The end of life plan for your horse isn’t something we want to talk about: but we need to. Horse Nation writer Kristen Kovatch goes through the details of how we euthanize and dispose of our horses across the country, and it’s important for any owner to understand the details within. While this isn’t a fun subject, it’s something that all horse owners should be well informed on, so when the time comes, they can make an educated decision on how to proceed. [Humane Euthanasia Needs to Be a Viable Option]

With the summer heat as bad as it is, dehydration is a serious concern for horse owners around the world. You’ll want to make sure that your horse has constant access to fresh clean water at all times to help him avoid a multitude of health complications that can arise from overexertion and dehydration in hot temperatures. Additionally, knowing how to tell if your horse is dehydrated is very important to your success through the summer months. [Battling Dehydration in Horses]

 

Throwback Thursday Video from Nupafeed: 1995 Groton House Farm

By on Jun 28, 2018 5:30 pm -

Many things have changed over the past 23 years, but one thing that has remained consistent — since 1978, in fact — is eventing in June at Groton House Farm in Hamilton, Massachusetts.

No doubt there have still been changes over the 40 year history of the GHF Horse Trials: The event began by running Novice through Preliminary levels over one weekend, to eventually including Intermediate and Advanced levels in the mid-’80s and hosting upwards of 600 competitors over two weekends, before returning to holding just one weekend of competition for Novice though Intermediate/Preliminary competitors in 2009. Over all the years of competition, the lovely organizers of the GHF Horse Trials have welcomed spectators and competitors for the traditional three-days of exciting competition.

Take a trip back to the ’90s glory-days of eventing, big helmet cover bows and all, with this throwback video from RNS Videomedia (which at the time was known as Captain Edgar’s Videoworks!) And yes, that’s one more thing that hasn’t changed over 23 years — RNS will be filming there again this weekend!

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.