Classic Eventing Nation

Olympic Flame Starts Journey to Paris as 100-Day Countdown Begins

By on Apr 17, 2024 12:30 pm -

A composite image of the Port of Marseilles, which will welcome the Olympic torch to France this month. Photo © Paris 2024 – Florian Hulleu.

We’ve officially made it to the 100-day countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, and whether you’re one of the (very lucky) few who managed to bag some tickets in today’s final release, or you’re planning a watching party from home, it’s hard not to feel the frisson of excitement that comes with this kind of proximity.

And if that spark hasn’t quite been lit for you yet? Perhaps a literal flame will do the trick.

Yesterday saw the start of the traditional torch relay, which wends its way to the site of the Games, begin as usual in Olympia, Greece – the site of the original, ancient Olympic Games. Though traditionally, the torch is lit using the sun’s rays and a parabolic mirror, an unseasonably overcast day meant that a bit of help was needed from another flame. The ceremony was helmed by Greek actress Mary Mina, who adopted the role of high priestess in the dramatic ceremony, which took place in Olympia’s ruins. Mina lit the flame, and then passed it along to its first torchbearer, Greek rowing champion Stefanos Douskos, who won gold in the men’s single sculls at the Tokyo Olympics.

Now, the torch begins a long and winding 3,100 mile journey to Paris, where it’ll land on July 26 for the Opening Ceremony. In the meantime, it’ll first spend eleven days travelling around Greece – helped by 600 torchbearers –  finishing its tour of the country in Athens at the Panathenenaic Stadium on April 26. Then, the torch will travel on the Belem, a historic ship that dates back to 1896, the first year of the modern Olympics, to Marseille in the south of France.

Once the torch reaches France, it’ll begin its passage between a whopping 10,000 people chosen as torchbearers – from Olympic athletes to ordinary citizens to folks with incredible stories of their own, representing a cross-section of the diverse French population. While Marseille looks set to have the biggest celebration of all (Paris notwithstanding, of course), with a full day of parades, workshops, parties, and exhibitions planned for April 26 at the city’s port, there’ll be plenty going on elsewhere in France as the torch makes its way through the mainland and overseas French territories, too – and these celebrations can be tracked from 8 May using the official Games app.

The torch isn’t just a celebration of the Olympics – it’s also intended as a symbol of global unity, which feels particularly poignant as conflict continues to escalate around the world.

“This torch is a message of peace, a message of friendship between peoples, which is all the stronger at a time when the world is in such bad shape,” said Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to France 2 TV at the torch-lighting ceremony.

The full route of the Olympic torch can be previewed here.

EN is proud to partner with Kentucky Performance Products for coverage of the Paris Olympics. Click here to learn all about KPP and their line-up of science- and research-backed nutritional support products.

Get a First Look at Derek di Grazia’s Defender Kentucky Cross Country

By on Apr 17, 2024 11:28 am -

Some new features and a different direction greet us in the first preview of Derek di Grazia’s cross country designs for this year’s Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by MARS Equestrian.

Take a look at the above video, which takes us around some of the key and newly-added questions on the CCI5* course. The iconic Head of the Lake complex, for instance, comes much earlier on this year’s track, around minute 5 at fence 13 versus at fence 17 in 2023.

Keep an eye on CrossCountryApp for publication of the full fence-by-fence preview, and of course you’ll have your EN team on the ground next week to give you a closer inspection at this year’s challenge.

EN’s coverage of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is presented by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional support for all types of horses. Click here to learn more about Kentucky Performance Products.

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: [Website] [Tickets] [Entries/Drawn Order]

Top Contender Among Latest Badminton Withdrawals

By on Apr 17, 2024 9:15 am -

Gemma Stevens and Jalapeno at Badminton in 2023. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Speak to any rider who’s put in an entry for a five-star, and they’ll all sing you some variation of the same song: “I’m not even worrying about the cross-country right now – all I’m worrying about is getting there.” Keeping a horse at top-level fitness while also avoiding minor strains and injuries is one of the toughest balancing acts a horseperson can manage, and so for every stacked entry list we pore over with excitement, there’s always a handful — sometimes a double handful — of horses on it that’ll disappear from the line-up before we even touch down on the competition grounds.

That’s certainly been the case with the MARS Badminton Horse Trials field of entries so far, which is now sitting pretty at 82 following a spate of withdrawals. That’s good news for some: all three of our initially waitlisted horses and riders have now been accepted to the competition, though one of them, Becky Heappey with DHI Babette K, is also on our withdrawal list. But the addition of Harry Meade‘s Away Cruising means that the British rider will be the first in this modern era to take three horses around Badminton, thanks to a tweak to this year’s rules, and we also have the good fortune of welcoming Gemma Stevens and her 2021 Bicton pop-up five-star winner, Chilli Knight, back to this level.

Aistis Vitkauskas and Commander VG. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Our thoughts are with those who’ll unexpectedly be staying home, though, even if their sad departure is someone else’s golden opportunity. We’ve seen eight withdrawals so far, all but one of which has come from British competitors. The outlier? Lithuania’s Aistis Vitkauskas and his game, tough Commander VG, who contested four five-stars last year and has been a stalwart competitor at championship level. The duo have earned their country an individual berth at this summer’s Olympic Games and so, we’d like to hope, their withdrawal is out of an abundance of caution and favours a safe, steady lead-in to Paris.

Beyond Aistis and Commander, and Becky Heappey and Babette, we’ve seen withdrawals come in from comeback queen Bubby Upton, who has pulled second ride Magic Roundabout from the entries, but remains in situ with Cola; Andrew James, who will not ride the homebred Celtic Morning Star after a tricky final prep run at Burnham Market saw them retire in the CCI4*-S; Alexander Whewall, who has withdrawn Ellfield Voyager after missing all his planned prep runs; and Heidi Coy, who scratched Halenza due to a minor injury.

We’ve also seen two withdrawals from major contenders: Gemma Stevens will not run Jalapeno, who finished sixth in extraordinarily tough conditions in last year’s running of the event, due to a ‘tiny little tweak’.

“She […] needs 6 weeks walking but she is absolutely fine in herself,” writes Gemma in a statement on social media. “She is feeling in the form of her life and is so fit and ready to go which has made this even harder to take this time for us as a whole team. Over the last year we have had our fair share of injuries (all completely different) and we all work so hard every single day — it really does take a village and so much meticulous care, time, work and effort to get event horses to a 5* and we started with that care at the beginning of November with Jala.”

Piggy March and Brookfield Inocent. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Also withdrawn is 2019 winner Piggy March‘s sole ride, Brookfield Inocent, who was tipped as the winner by EquiRatings – but who has struggled to stay consistently sound since the 2021 season, when the pair won team gold and individual silver at the European Championships after withdrawing from the travelling reserve slot for the Tokyo Olympics. He returned at the start of the 2022 season on exceptional form, but after two short-format runs in April of that year, wasn’t seen again until August of 2023, when he once again returned for two short-format runs with top placings, and then bowed back out of the spotlight. This year, the 15-year-old ran a slow HC in the Intermediate at Thoresby rather than undertaking his intended run in the CCI3*-S, but didn’t come forward for his Advanced entry at Burnham Market last week.

We wish speedy, uncomplicated recoveries and fruitful reroutes to all those combinations withdrawn from Badminton so far. You can take a look at the full, revised entry list here, and keep it locked onto EN for a full form guide analysing the results and stories of each and every combination, coming soon. This year’s MARS Badminton Horse Trials will take place from 8–12 May. Until then: Go Eventing.

EN’s coverage of MARS Badminton Horse Trials is presented by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional support for all types of horses. Click here to learn more about Kentucky Performance Products.

MARS Badminton Horse Trials: [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries] [Live Stream]

Wednesday News & Notes from Ocala Horse Properties

By on Apr 17, 2024 12:01 am -

If you watched the FEI Nations Cup final in Boekelo last season, you’ll remember that water and all the problems it caused, not least for reigning Olympic champion and overnight leader Julia Krajewski, riding Nickel 21, who, like a number of other competitors that day, took an early bath and ducked out of the competition. The footing was checked, of course – over and over – but the trips kept coming. It’s not the first time the main water has been a talking point for the wrong reasons at Boekelo, so it’s great news that the team are already on the case, with an update from course designer Adrian Ditcham detailing the changes being made as well as some exciting new fences to look forward to. Find out more in the video above.

Talking of safety improvements in horse sport, last weekend the British racing calendar threw up a thought-provoking response to the problems seen at the English Grand National in 2023, by making data driven decisions and responding to the ever-presence of social license in a positive, productive way.

Often synonymous (for those who oppose the race, and also many who don’t) with horse falls and fatalities, the English Grand National is the subject of controversy each year, particularly given its enormous, global audience and widespread publicity. This year the broadcasting team placed much emphasis on the fact that objections had been heard – and paid heed to – and that specific changes had been made in response to detailed analysis of previous races. These decisions appear to have paid off, with no horse falls and no fatalities occurring this year, as well as more finishers than I can ever remember crossing the line. It has to be noted that this isn’t actually an anomaly in terms of records – there have been other years, prior to the changes, when horses didn’t die.

But we have to respect the way in which this year’s race was approached by the industry. For the viewing public it perhaps wasn’t so exciting as before the safety measures came into play (you could argue the same for eventing, if you’re of that ilk) – but as this piece suggests, if you’re of that disposition perhaps cage fighting is more up your street. For those of us involved in horse sports for the right reasons, in a world where social license is a real threat, it certainly felt like a stride in the right direction.

Before I sign off, it’s only right to mention that our first 5* of the season is imminent! More on this tomorrow, until then, here are the links you need:

Adelaide Equestrian Festival [Website] [5* Entries] [Schedule] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

In the spirit of International Haiku Poetry Day, I’ll wrap this up with a relevant offering:

Go go go go go
Go go go go go go go
Go-o eventing!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Fair Hill International April H.T. & CCI-S (Elkton, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Masterson Equestrian Trust YEH/NEH Qualifier (Lexington, KY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Meadowcreek Park – The Spring Social Event (Kosse, TX) [Website] [Entries][Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Ocala International Festival of Eventing (Ocala, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Sporting Days Farm April H.T. III (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring]

Major International Events

Adelaide Equestrian Festival [Website] [5* Entries] [Schedule] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

UK International Events

Kelsall Hill International [Website] [Entries] [Scoring]

European International Events

Strzegom Spring Open II [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

Wednesday News and Reading

Call out for volunteer for MARS Bromont CCI. We all know the eventing world’s wheels would fall off if it wasn’t for the awesome volunteers we’re so lucky to have in our midst, and if you’re one of those very cool people, this one’s for you. If you’re able to help out at the event, which runs June 6-9, please sign up here.

Here’s your chance to win at Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event without having to jump the quite frankly terrifying fences. If you’re lucky enough to be heading to the Horse Park next week, make like a scavenger and join in the annual hunt. All you need to do to be in with a shout of some cool prizes is download this app. Happy hunting!

Staying on the topic of Kentucky, Doug Payne’s headed to the 5* with two rides – how does he handle the pressure of competing at the top of the sport? Find out how he manages his nerves, his training philosophies, what his competition routines are, what advice he’d give to his younger self, and more in these 9 Questions with Doug Payne.

What do Boyd Martin, Tim and Jonelle Price, Andrew Hoy, Piggy March, and now Ros Canter have in common? Aside from being top eventers and all around stars of our sport that is? This select bunch are Defender Burghley Horse Trials Ambassadors, helping to spread the word about what a cool event Burghley is. Ros has recently joined the ranks and is particularly excited as Burghley is in her home county. We’ll be seeing much more of the ambassadors in the run up to the event later on in the eventing season.

Did you know…? A horse’s brain is half the weight of a human’s, but is actually one of the biggest of all land mammals. If you’ve got space going spare in your brain, why not fill it with these ten fascinating facts about equine neurology?

Riding on the correct diagonal isn’t something instructors make up to keep you on your toes – it can actually affect the soundness of your horse. No matter what discipline you enjoy, working on the correct diagonal is really important, and making changes of diagonal throughout your ride is vital if you want your horse to be balanced under saddle. Unsure about which diagonal is the right one, or why it matters? Here’s everything you need to know.

Sponsor Corner

This beautiful modern French chateau style home now has a new price tag! Right across the street from Ocala’s World Equestrian Center, you can literally hack to the show. Sitting lake-side and next to a golf course, this 10,674 sq. ft. house is waiting for you to call it home. Discover your dream home.

Video Break

When you’re there for the legend’s parade but you really, really wanna be in the race. Two-time winner of the English Grand National Tiger Roll makes his feelings very clear about not being allowed a shot at delivering the hattrick.

Behind the Barn with Sara Kozumplik and Sharon White

By on Apr 16, 2024 3:00 pm -

It’s time for a fresh new episode of Athletux’s Behind the Barn series leading up to the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by MARS Equestrian happening next week (April 25-28) in Lexington, KY.

For this episode, we hear from best friends Sara Kozumplik and Sharon White, both of whom will be competing in the 5* at Kentucky next week. Find out if Sharon is as nice as everyone says she is, what she packs for Kentucky every year, how the two first met, and much more in this entertaining video sponsored by Lifeforce Horse Supplements.

Keep an eye out for more Behind the Barn episodes launching next week on the event’s YouTube channel here.

MARS Bromont Rising U25 Grant Program Returns to MARS Bromont CCI for 2024; Applications Now Open

By on Apr 16, 2024 12:45 pm -

MARS Bromont Rising Grant Recipients with guest coach Bettina Hoy on the cross-country course at Bromont June, 2023

The MARS Bromont Rising U25 scholarship program, administered by the USEA Foundation, is pleased to announce that up to 10 grants of up to $2,500 each will once again be available for talented young riders aged 25 and under aiming to compete in the MARS Bromont (Quebec, Canada) U25 CCI’s in June, 2024. Highlighting this year’s program is the return of three-time German Olympic team member Bettina Hoy, as a guest coach for 2024.

The brainchild of Bromont organizer Sue Ockendon and the late Steve Blauner; the scholarship program was first offered in 2019 for riders competing at Bromont and at the time Ocala, and was expanded to include Galway Downs in 2022 and 2023. Event horse owner Blauner had the vision of supporting young eventers from the US and Canada who were not yet under the radar of national U25 training programs. Ockendon had long had the dream of offering financial support the youth of the sport, who are the future of Eventing in North America.

A complete training program was devised to help the riders prepare themselves and their horses for competition. The grants assist with travel and entry expenses, but the program also includes classroom sessions with course designers, high performance riders and a dressage test analysis by an 5* FEI judge. Coaching and course walks during the events are also available, in conjunction with riders own coaches.

MARS Bromont Rising grant recipient Sara Schulman (USA) topped the 2023 CCIU252*-L
with Cooley Chromatic at June’s MARS Bromont CCI © Michelle Dunn

Program director, Olympian and FEI judge, Peter Gray acts as a clinician at the event, including his “centreline workshop” on how to make the most of your warm-up and exactly what the judges are looking for movement by movement.

“I’m thrilled the MARS Bromont Rising grants will be offered once again at Bromont this year,” he remarked. “Bromont is such a unique destination with its challenging terrain and world-class courses designed by renowned Derek DiGrazia, and having guest coaches like Bettina Hoy back on board is an incredible opportunity for the athletes.”

Three-time German Olympian and former international coach for Holland, Hoy speaks extremely highly of the program.

“Programs like Bromont Rising, the USEF and USEA’s Developing Rider Programs, Australia’s Next GEN squads, and in Germany the Stiftung Deutscher Spitzensport-supported mentorship program are very valuable, particularly if students are willing to take them on in an immersive way,” Hoy remarked. “Education goes way beyond riding instruction. In future workshops, I would like to add seminars on horse management – how to plan your season, how to structure your fitness program, and proper aftercare to really complete the cycle of looking at the big picture. And of course we need to discuss social license and the use of social media today.”

Following last year’s event, Hoy gave her impressions on the week and in particular the strength of the facility as a preparation ground for the next generation of serious young riders.

“I was very, very impressed by Bromont, full stop. Everyone has put a huge effort into fantastic courses. You know where you are fitness wise, as well as in the education of horse and rider. I think it’s very important that this event stays up to height so we can educate riders about that as well as fitness and technicality.”

Maya Clarkson and Maks Mojo C finished second in the CCI3*-L (combined U25)
at the MARS Bromont CCI 2023. © Michelle Dunn Photo

American young rider Maya Clarkson (23, of Middleburg, VA) received a grant in 2023 and benefited tremendously from the experience. Clarkson rides with American veteran Lauren Nicholson, who has also worked with Bettina Hoy in the past. Nicholson was excited for her student to experience both the ‘team’ atmosphere of the program, as well as learning from outside professionals.

One of the highlights of the week for Clarkson was having direct access to, and input from Bromont’s cross-country course designer Derek DiGrazia (USA), who designed at the Tokyo Olympics and designs for two of the most prestigious CCI5*s in the world: Kentucky (USA) and Burghley (United Kingdom.)

“Being able to have access to Derek DiGrazia was incredible,” commented Clarkson. “I really got a lot out of learning about his philosophy and intentions. He talked a lot about reading the footing and in particular the ground itself. The footing is amazing and the ground has rolls and is really varied. You need to be balanced in your galloping. If you don’t take care of that you could easily have a trip that could create a bad jump. I found myself really riding every stride much more, especially while galloping between the jumps. It has really changed how I ride.”

Clarkson, who finished second overall in the combined U25/CCI3*-L division behind US Olympian Boyd Martin, also mentioned that receiving a prestigious grant such as this has helped legitimize her work and goal of riding at the upper levels.

“Because I applied and received a Bromont Rising grant in 2023, I think it’s even helped my parents understand that there are people out there who will support a rider like me — that it’s worth investing in someone like me who has not been a rider since being a toddler. They are incredibly supportive but it showed them others are out there too!”

Canadian and US U25 riders competing in the CCIU252*-L and CCIU253*-L are eligible to apply. Grant applications are open now and the following deadlines have been updated for 2024:

MARS Bromont CCI June 5-9, 2024

CCIU252*-L and CCIU253*-L

https://bromontcci.com

APPLICATION DEADLINE MAY 6, 2024

One More Opportunity for Paris Olympics Tickets Coming Tomorrow

By on Apr 16, 2024 9:30 am -

Joanna Pawlak and Fantastic Freida compete at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

More than 250,000 new tickets for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will go on sale on on Wednesday, April 17 at 10 a.m. Central European time, which is 6 hours ahead of Eastern time (4:00 a.m. EST). If you’ve had trouble securing tickets for the equestrian events (or any sport of your choosing), this could be your window!

The organizing committee has stated that many of the tickets being released will cost less than €100, and that tickets from previously “sold out” events (which also includes equestrian sports) will be opened up to the public.

This will be the final ticket sales ahead of the Games, which kick off with the Opening Ceremony on Friday, July 26 (also the day eventing gets underway with the First Horse Inspection!). You can view the full Paris schedule here and a specific equestrian schedule here.

You can visit the ticketing hub for Paris by clicking here, where you can also sign up for email reminders regarding ticket sales/updates.

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Apr 16, 2024 8:04 am -

We’re on the final countdown to Kentucky now. Here at EN, Sally and I have been not-so-secretly checking the weather for Lexington (currently very warm at around 28C; cooling down as we head into the start of next week, just FYI); I’m frantically placing last-minute orders for whatever additional bits and bobs I feel like I simply must have for next week’s photos; the European horses are loading up for their trip Stateside; the tummy-rumblings for a heaping helping of bourbon chicken have kicked off; in short, every last one of us is almost too excited to function. How are you preparing for your Kentucky experience – whether you’ll be watching in person or via the live stream? Let us know in the comments!

Events Opening Today: Carriage House Farm Combined Test, Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Spring H.T., Poplar Place June H.T., GMHA June H.T., MCTA H.T. at Shawan Downs, Essex H.T., The Spring Event at Archer, IEA Horse Trials, Equestrians’ Institute H.T.

Events Closing Today: Riga Meadow at Coole Park Combined Test, Windridge Farm Spring H.T., Waredaca H.T., Texas Rose Horse Park H.T., Stable View Local Charities H.T., The Event at Skyline

Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World: 

For the people of Gaza, simply surviving the ongoing genocide is the sole focus. But what happens beyond that, when – we can only hope – the violence ceases, the dust settles, and the chance to rebuild is on the table? For the team at the Aljawad Riding Club, reuniting with their beloved horses and bringing the joy of equestrianism back to their home is goal number one. Find out more about the riding school and, if you can, help them out here.

This summer’s Paris Olympics will have a unique opening ceremony. Stretching across the city and utilising the River Seine, it’ll be the first one ever to take place outside of a stadium and with free access for spectators. But that format can also pose security risks, and President Emmanuel Macron isn’t blind to that. Here’s what he has to say.

Suspect your horse might have something funny going on with his stifle? Then it’s worth reading up on patella injuries and locking patellas (while you wait for the vet to come have a look, of course). This comprehensive piece provides an overview of how the patella works, the most common ways it can be injured or not function properly, and what the prognosis can look like.

I love Lauren Sprieser’s writing, and once again, she doesn’t miss with her latest piece. She might be a dynamo in the dressage ring herself, but once upon a time, she liked to dabble in triathlons – at a level that she describes as being equivalent to the Intro level at a schooling show. And that, she says, is exactly where she’s happy to stay – just as many folks competing in those schooling shows might not want to deal with moving into recognised territory and, let’s be real, the huge financial and time commitments required to do so. Dive into her latest column here for all her thoughts.

Managing your horse’s diet can be confusing. And wandering around the feed store can often only add to that confusion, because man, are there a lot of options! This article from nutritionist Madeline Boast makes for an interesting and useful jumping-off point, helping you to understand the basic function and relative necessity of many of the products you’ll find on the shelves. 

Tegan Vincent-Cooke is a pioneer in her discipline. She’s the first Black para rider in the UK, and after contesting a CPEDI3* freestyle last month, she’s working hard on reaching her dream of riding for the British team. And along the way? She’s sharing her unique experiences and hurdles, and providing another rallying point for important conversations within the sport. Find out more about her here.

Sponsor Corner: 

Does your horse have spring allergies, or is just me? Find some help on identifying and managing horse allergies here.

US Equestrian Announces Defender U.S. Eventing Team for 2024 FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ Great Britain CCIO4*-NC-S

By on Apr 15, 2024 3:50 pm -

US Equestrian is pleased to announce the four combinations from European Development Tour selected to represent the Defender U.S. Eventing Team at the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Great Britain CCIO4*-NC-S. The event will take place during the Chatsworth International Horse Trials in Bakewell, England, from May 17-19. The U.S. combinations will be led by Chef d’Equipe Leslie Law.

The following combinations have been named to the Defender U.S. Eventing Team and are listed in alphabetical order.

  • Emily Hamel (Aiken, S.C.) and Corvett, a 2007 Holsteiner (Corrido X Tina XII) gelding owned by Black Flag Option, LLC
    • Groom: Jeanna Epping
  • Caroline Pamukcu (Springtown, Pa.) and She’s the One, a 2015 Anglo-European (Jaguar Mail x One to Watch) mare owned by Sherrie Martin, Mollie Hoff, Caroline Pamukcu, and Andy Hoff
    • Groom: Chloe Teahan
  • Alyssa Phillips (Fort Worth, Texas) and Oskar, a 2009 Holsteiner (Coriando x Nicole) gelding owned by Julie Phillips and Alyssa Phillips
    • Groom: Addi Mommsen
  • Cassie Sanger (Wilmington, Del.) and Fernhill Zoro, her own 2008 Irish Sport Horse (Verdi x Oronia Z) gelding
    • Groom: Meigs Rutherford

Competition Information

The competition will begin with the dressage phase on Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18. Two phases will take place on Sunday, May 19, with the jumping phase over a course designed by Chris Barnard (USA) followed by the cross-country phase over a course designed by Ian Stark (GBR) to close out the competition.

Event website | Schedule | Entries and results

Tune in live on ClipMyHorse.TV/FEI.TV with a ClipMyHorse.TV Premium Membership. USEF Subscribers, Competing Members, and Fans receive a 10% discount on ClipMyHorse.TV Premium Memberships. Find out more information.

Weekend Winners: FENCE, Longleaf, Unionville, Spring Bay, & Twin Rivers

By on Apr 15, 2024 2:30 pm -

We saw some bad weather roll through this weekend, but organizers were ready to make the most of the situation, keeping the events running safely and smoothly!

Congrats to all involved on successful weekends, and a big congrats to our Weekend Winners! As always, we have an extra special shout out to the winner of our Unofficial Low Score Award… which is a three way tie this weekend!
Unionville’s Open Novice A winner, Matthew Brown and Suntory Gold (21.7)
Longleaf Pine’s Open Novice winner, Kimmy Cecere and Brooklyn (21.7)
Spring Bay’s Open Novice 1 winner, Hannah Reeser and Ltl Ireland Summr Soldier (21.7)

F.E.N.C.E. H.T. (Tryon, NC) [Website][Scoring]

Open Preliminary: Lauren New and Flying Again (31.4)
Preliminary Rider: Claire Strehlow and Seabanks Theygo (34.2)
Preliminary/Training: Kimberly Keeton and M-Azing (29.7)
Open Training: Morgan Batton and Betty Z (25.0)
Training Rider: Kaitlin Clark and SLE Happy Hour (28.4)
Training/Novice: Susan Faulkner and HelloHello (28.3)
Novice Rider: Kaitlyn Cobey and Sarrasin (28.3)
Open Novice: Ashley Greene and Galway Lad (27.0)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Stella McGuire and Lucky Clover (22.1)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Eden Miller and Cupido T (26.7)
Open Beginner Novice: Allison Thompson and Kacey (25.0)
Introductory: Jessie Chouinard and St Joe Bay (29.3)
Starter A: Naia Dawson and SF Secret Service (28.7)
Starter B: Leslie Patton and Queen of Anything (30.7)

Longleaf Pine H.T. (Raeford, NC) [Website][Scoring]

Advanced CT: Ariel Grald and Isla de Coco (31.7)
Intermediate CT: Ariel Grald and Adagio’s Nobility (27.5)
Preliminary: Andrew McConnon and Connery Cooper Z (27.8)
Preliminary CT: Ariel Grald and Obalix (32.3)
Modified CT: Julie Cayer and Queenstown (28.1)
Modified Rider: Mary Nofzinger Clare and Golden King (33.3)
Open Modified: Becca Swann and Delmonico (30.2)
Open Training: Lisa Borgia and Silmarillion (25.0)
Training CT: Madelyn Reicher and CMF Cougar Roo (27.4)
Training Rider A: Allie Keresman and Will Power (37.1)
Training Rider B: Casey Gillis and Tom Sawyer (28.8)
Novice CT: McKenzie Cumbea and Unbeatable Z (37.3)
Novice Rider A: Alys Protzman and Summit (28.4)
Novice Rider B: Phyllis Hardgrove and Cooley Castle (29.2)
Novice Rider C: Lyndsay Peterson and Bellman’s Total Eclipse (31.4)
Open Novice: Kimmy Cecere and Brooklyn (21.7)
Beginner Novice CT: Morgan McEwen and Thomas Jefferson (31.3)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Gabrielle “Pook” Edgerly and Smiling Little Leela (30.3)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Madeline Moton and The Family Feud (30.9)
Beginner Novice Rider C: Roisin O’Rahilly and Happy Times (23.4)
Open Beginner Novice: Susan Beebee and Outlander (27.2)
Starter A: Alannah Mabus and Silvanus (31.7)
Starter B: Kelsie Hegeman and Bulletproof Kitten (35.0)
Starter CT: Kirsten Hiles and Beatrix SWF (23.8)

Unionville Horse Trials (Unionville, PA) [Website][Scoring]

Open Intermediate: Matthew Grayling and Trudeau (25.8)
Open Preliminary A: Caitlin Silliman and Excel Star Vero Amore (28.2)
Open Preliminary B: Boyd Martin and Vivantura (29.7)
Modified: Boyd Martin and Cadiz 1 (27.0)
Open Training: Lillian Heard Wood and Cooley Maestro (25.0)
Training Rider: Christa Schmidt and Chakiris Star (26.4)
Novice Rider: Annie Renzetti and Molly (26.9)
Open Novice A: Matthew Brown and Suntory Gold (21.7)
Open Novice B: Ryan Wood and Ardeo Cruise (28.6)
Open Beginner Novice: Lynn Kundravi and Fox Ridge Rocket Man (36.2)
Starter: Ashley Zupan and Al Capony (34.0)

Spring Bay H.T. (Lexington, KY) [Website][Scoring]

Preliminary / Modified: Elisabeth Halliday and Alina Sd (26.8)
Open Modified: Elisabeth Halliday and Cooley Optimist (24.5)
Open Training: Kathy Baar and Boundless (30.6)
Training Rider: Abby Blackburn and Ballysimon Cavalier (30.8)
Training / Novice: Jackie Smith and Morrissey (26.4)
Novice Rider 1: Jill Condrey and Brady (32.5)
Novice Rider 2: Jhett Jenkins and Rockstar Parking (28.5)
Open Novice 1: Hannah Reeser and Ltl Ireland Summr Soldier (21.7)
Open Novice 2: Macy Hale and Dr. Hart (23.9)
Beginner Novice Rider 1: Cynthia van Aalst and Artful Mademoiselle (27.7)
Beginner Novice Rider 2: Danielle Northup and Wild Mission (28.2)
Beginner Novice Rider 3: Sabine Nicoson and Ashford SP (31.5)
Open Beginner Novice 1: Melanie Helms and Edelweiss du theil (23.5)
Open Beginner Novice 2: Susan Hellard and Garvey (30.6)
Open Starter 1: Hannah Reeser and Little Ireland Illusion (25.1)
Open Starter 2: Avery Derby and Kildare Connolly (27.7)
Open Starter 3: Lila Beshear and Welcome Cash (29.0)
Open Tadpole: Beth Hathaway and Iris (33.0)

Twin Rivers Spring International (Paso Robles, CA) [Website][Scoring]

5* CT: Rebecca Braitling and Caravaggio II (50.6)
CCI3*-Long: Erin Grandia and Hyacinth (38.5)
CCI2*-Long: Gabriella Ringer and Get Wild (27.4)
CCI4*-Short: James Alliston and Paper Jam (43.7)
CCI3*-Short: Elsa Warble and FE Unlimited (32.8)
CCI2*-Short: Megan McIver and Igor B (30.6)
CCI1*-Long: Mackenzie Davison and Lockdown JPL (26.2)
Advanced: James Alliston and Karma (35.0)
Open Intermediate: Hanni Sreenan and Ebenholtz (42.6)
Open Preliminary: Rachel Brickman and Finally DG (24.9)
Preliminary Rider: Mickayla Howard and Miss Tique (32.1)
Modified Rider: Saulo Tristao and Kremer VD Falieberg (26.8)
Open Modified: Tommy Greengard and I’m All In (26.5)
Jr. Training Rider Provisional Scores: Anya Ostrovsky and Coco Cassana (32.1)
Open Training Provisional Scores: Amber Birtcil and Milagro (23.9)
Sr. Training Rider Provisional Scores: Lauren Henry and Carel Cruiser (30.0)
Training Amateur Provisional Scores: Reese Blinks and I’M Jaguar (22.9)
Jr. Novice Rider: Josephine Clark and Cinzano (22.8)
Novice Amateur: Bari Boersma and Reverie GWF (26.4)
Novice Horse Provisional Scores: Nicholas Cwick and O’Malley (29.7)
Open Novice: Tommy Greengard and Casa de Prestige (24.7)
Sr. Novice Rider: Christine Murphy and Made You Look (32.8)
Jr. Beg. Novice Rider: Michaela Smith and Cashmaker (25.9)
Open Beginner Novice A: Kaylawna Smith-Cook and Only-Else (29.4)
Open Beginner Novice B: Tommy Greengard and Optimistic Sol (22.9)
Sr. Beg. Novice Rider: Molly Johnson and Lexicon (27.1)