Classic Eventing Nation

Monday News and Notes from Fleeceworks

By on Apr 16, 2018 12:10 am -

We want to give a great big shoutout to the organizers and officials of FENCE Horse Trials in Landrum, South Carolina. Due to impending storms on Sunday they managed to squeeze all competitors through all three phases on Saturday. It was a smart decision as the weather in the area yesterday was truly terrible. This kind of schedule change is a huge undertaking for event officials and we applaud them for their efforts and thank them for going above and beyond for their competitors. Bravo as well to the horses and riders for adapting on short notice.

National Holiday: National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day (the beauty of working from home is doing this every day)

Major Events:

Belton International H.T. [Website] [Results] [EN’s Coverage]

Ocala International CCI & H.T. [Website] [Results] [EN’s Coverage]

U.S. Weekend Action:

Fair Hill CIC & H.T. [Website] [Results] [EN’s Coverage]

Twin Rivers CIC & H.T. [Website] [Results] [EN’s Coverage]

Fence H.T. [Website] [Results]

Monday News and Notes:

USEA has been highlighting an Intercollegiate Eventing Team each week as we look ahead to the third annual USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championships at Virginia Horse Trials in May. This week we meet the team from Eventing at NC State, which is currently the only intercollegiate eventing team in North Carolina. [Wolfpack Eventers Represent]

Beezie Madden made history this weekend in Paris at the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final. Adding only four penalties in four rounds on Abigail Wexner’s 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood Breitling LS in the stallion’s first major championship, Beezie was the first woman in five years to win the World Cup and earned the title for herself for the second time. [Beezie Madden Brings Home Second FEI World Cup Jumping Final]

It’s foal season, and your social media feeds may or may not be blowing up with #foalspam. Who can resist photos and video clips of adorable baby horses frolicking around while their mother’s graze patiently nearby? While they appear resilient, foals are delicate as any horse and require careful attention to ensure their health and wellbeing. [Newborn Foals: What to Watch For]

Monday Video:

Side Saddle Racing by Middleburg Photo

Side Saddle racing at Loudoun Hunt Point to Point

Posted by Middleburg Photo on Saturday, April 14, 2018

A Return on the Investment: The People’s Horse Wins Belton CIC3*

By on Apr 15, 2018 7:07 pm -

Jonty Evans and Cooley Rorkes Drift do the triple: a first run, first international, and first win of the season at Belton. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

There wasn’t quite enough space at the prize-giving for all of Cooley Rorkes Drift’s 6800 ‘owners’, but they were certainly there in spirit as the plucky 12-year-old took the win in the Grantham Cup CIC3* with Jonty Evans. The result represented a long-awaited fairytale ending to the biggest story of 2017, in which Evans crowdfunded approximately £500,000 to secure the horse.

Evans’ fundraising efforts came down to the wire, and so did his fight for victory today. The pair were equal sixth after dressage on a score of 28.8, with overnight leaders Pippa Funnell and Billy Beware sitting comfortably nearly four points ahead of them on 24.9. But he put the pressure on early in the day with an easy clear round over the poles, proving that a winter of intensive training with coaches Ros Morgan and Ian Fearon had paid dividends.

Allergic to wood: Art makes light work of the CIC3* showjumping. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Captain Mark Phillips‘ testing track asked many of the questions that the Badminton track will ask in three short weeks’ time – and as Jonty pointed out on Friday afternoon, any horse who was able to be competitive over it would find itself well prepared for the Gloucestershire event. And so the pair, whose spring season, like so many, has been plagued by cancellations, set off to make their first run of the season as positive as possible with just that end goal in mind. From the moment they left the start box, they never looked like faltering, and in a class where no one made the time, they added just 3.6 time penalties to put the pressure on the top contenders, all of whom were to jump much later in the day.

Jonty and Art over the Fentons Trailer. Photo by Mace Maclean.

The latter half of their 2017 season hadn’t gone exactly to plan – fractured by the intensity of the fundraising campaign, they found themselves facing the major events of the autumn under less-than-ideal circumstances, and errors across the country at Blenheim and Pau were made perhaps more profound by the knowledge that the eyes of the world were on them. Jonty, for his part, wanted to give his myriad supporters – Art’s extensive family – a result in which to indulge, and the horse, too, the top results he knew he was capable of. But when things go pear-shaped, the long winter months are the perfect time to step back, regroup, and work on getting things in order – and work they did.

“I had a lot of people help me, and a lot of people who have supported me,” Jonty explains. “The way people got behind the campaign to raise the money to keep Art was so moving, and to be able to feel like you’ve slightly repaid their confidence and trust is a special thing. On the flatwork we’ve worked hard as ever with Gareth Hughes and our team trainer Ian Woodhead, and with the showjumping we’ve been working with Ros Morgan and plenty of squad help with Ian Fearon, which has really helped. Yogi Breisner has been involved as well with the squad training, and his cross country help has been really valuable. Andrew Nicholson has also helped me no end – he hasn’t really seen the horse, other than what he sees at competitions, but his advice is like pearls of wisdom, and has been really helpful this weekend.”

He also sought to recreate the questions at which he had problems last autumn: “we built a bank in our field at home, and we built a skinny brush running up it, which was what we had issues with. We’ve practiced, admittedly slightly in the wet, but we’ve worked hard and jumped plenty of skinnies up banks, and it’s worked.”

Jonty and Art clear the final element of the sunken road. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Jonty had had the opportunity to ride the course earlier in the day on two of his talented young horses, Clara M and Ringwood LB, who finished 12th and 9th respectively in the other CIC3* section on their debuts at the level. Now, his focus moves ahead to Badminton, at which the horse made a promising debut last year. The strategy? Well, more hard work, of course.

“Winning the class is fantastic, amazing – but the win itself has very little relevance to Badminton. The performance is what has the relevance: we’ll be reviewing the videos of each phase, and we’ll be looking at where there can be improvement, and what’s looking good. My sports psychologist, Niamh Fitzpatrick, always talks about what works, and what needs work, and there will be stuff that needs work. With the horse, we’ll be doing a bit more of the same, really – we’ll work on the fitness, we’ll practice the dressage test. It sounds mundane, but it’s what we’ll do.”

An emotional victory for Jane Moss and Jonty Evans. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The support that secured Jonty his horse of a lifetime was evident across social media, as hundreds of fans tuned in to the live stream to cheer the horse they helped buy across the finish. Jane Moss, who now owns Art along with Elisabeth Murdoch and Jonty, joined the rider for the prizegiving and graciously represented the masses.

Perhaps it would be amiss to call today’s victory a fairytale ending. As the season begins in earnest, it’s a better sort of story altogether: it’s a fairytale beginning to what looks to be an exciting season for the eventing community’s adopted mascot and his thoroughly deserving rider.

Ireland’s Padraig McCarthy and Mr Chunky post a clear round on their Badminton prep run. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Team Ireland enjoyed a fortuitous day all around at Belton, with a host of classy clear rounds from its riders and a full support system on hand. They send forth a strong field of riders to Badminton, all of whom showed great form today – a fantastic start to the year, and one which will surely inspire backers as the team continues to raise crucial funds for the World Equestrian Games later in the year.

Piggy French and Vanir Kamira blow away the cobwebs in time for Badminton. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Badminton-bound horses represented the top four placings in the class. Piggy French and Vanir Kamira looked impressive across the country and finished the day in second place – the same spot they occupied at Burghley last year, and by similarly slim margins. They sat just a tenth of a penalty behind Jonty and Art after dressage, and added nothing in the showjumping, but 4.8 time penalties in the final phase pushed their score to 33.7, just 1.3 points behind the leaders.

“She knows her job, she’s experienced, and it was just nice to have a good round for reassurance, really, that she’s a good horse and we’re back competing at the top level. It just blew away a few cobwebs. It’s probably more useful for me as a rider to have a decent track to ride around, because Badminton just comes so early. We feel prepared, and I haven’t left my race here at Belton, three weeks before – she could have gone quicker. Although when you see the result at the end, and see how close it is, you do sort of think, ‘bugger!’ She could have definitely gone quicker, but I didn’t bring her here to win the Grantham Cup. I brought her here to get her into an atmosphere, blow away some cobwebs, and get into the groove for Badminton.”

Piggy French – second place in the Grantham Cup. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The course certainly played its part in blowing away those cobwebs.

“It definitely asked some tough questions, and was a step up in terms of technicality from last year,” says Piggy. “I thought it was great, because both of my horses are experienced and needed something to get their teeth stuck into. All credit to them – I thought it was a fantastic course, and it made you as a rider really think about getting your lines right. If you rode it properly, with the horse on your side, you got rewarded properly, and it gave me a great feeling when it went well.”

Piggy also finished in ninth place aboard Europeans mount Quarrycrest Echo.

“Pretty much perfect”: Pamero 4 and Gemma Tattersall hit their stride for third place. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

One of 2017’s most exciting new partnerships lodged its best placing yet today. Gemma Tattersall and Pamero 4 challenged for the win and added just 4.4 time penalties to claim third place on a finishing score of 34. Pamero 4, who was produced by Laura Collett through the three-star level, will make his Badminton debut next month. Despite being a fledgling partnership, Gemma and the eleven-year-old Hanoverian have finished in the top ten in all five of their international runs together.

“We’ve really figured each other out,” Gemma says. “Laura produced him absolutely beautifully, and I was really able to just crack on last year and do those events and get the results, but it all felt a little bit like we were just bodging it together. Now, he feels very much like my ride – I’ve not really changed anything, but it’s just like we’re on song together and he understands what I want, and I understand what he needs. Today we had a beautiful showjumping round and cross country I pretty much had the perfect ride.”

The result is an enormous confidence boost prior to the horse’s Badminton run. “I’m now feeling really excited about him for next month – it’s his first time, so I’m going there to build for the future with this horse. He has a massive future ahead of him, and he’s still a relatively new ride for me, so it’s all about building bridges. I see him as a potential future team horse, which is really exciting.”

Arctic Soul gets a wake-up call in the CIC3* with rider Gemma Tattersall. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Gemma’s day didn’t quite go to plan with top horse – and fellow Badminton entrant – Arctic Soul. The pair picked up an uncharacteristic 20 penalties after they glanced past the final element of the coffin complex, and a further 49.2 time penalties as Gemma opted to use the remainder of the round as an exercise in control and cooperation.

“Nothing really went wrong – Spike just thinks that he can do it all by himself! To be honest, it’s a relief – the horse hasn’t had a cross country fault in such a long time, and everyone says that he’s a machine, and we’re a machine together, and actually, we’re not – things happen! At the end of the day, he’s a horse, and he has his own mind. He’s an older horse now, he’s jumped around a lot of big tracks, and he just thinks that he’s the bee’s knees and can do it all by himself. It was a bit of a shock for him today when couldn’t jump out of the Lycetts Leap, and he’s feeling very sorry now – he’s a bit coy with me, and a bit embarrassed, I think! His stablemate is getting all the attention and he’s not. I hope that this sharpens him up and helps him realise that he can’t conquer the world by himself – because he does really think that, and I think you’d need to make a five or six-star for him to back himself off. No fence you could build would ever be too big for him – he’s a freak of a horse, he’s incredible, and he’s on amazing form and very strong in his body. He’s just feeling too well – he needs to go spend a few nights out in the field,” she laughs.

Purdey shows her Quality with a sixth place finish in the Grantham Cup. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

One of the final horses to run was one of the closest contenders for the title. Equal sixth with Jonty and Art after the dressage, Chris Burton and Quality Purdey produced a clear round over the poles and made easy work of the cross-country course. Chris is renowned for his blazing speed in this phase, and also for his precision and confidence at a top pace, and so, with room for nine seconds over the optimum time, it looked as though he would do it. It was close, but no cigar – they added eight penalties to finish in sixth place, giving the mare a productive prep run for her spring CCI at Saumur.

“It was never the plan to go fast here, as everything is geared on Saumur, but that cross country round was mega and they were just in cruise control,” enthuses owner Dom Poole.

Joining the big leagues: Billy Walk On proves an exciting prospect for Pippa Funnell. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

And what of overnight leaders Pippa Funnell and Billy Beware? A run-out and a spate of time penalties pushed them out of contention for the win, and turned their cross-country round into a training exercise, but last on course Billy Walk On showed maturity and confidence that belied his relative inexperience. He was Jonty and Art’s last hurdle on the route to the win, and Pippa set a good pace, but it wasn’t quite enough – they added 12.8 penalties to finish in the top 20.

Now, all attention shifts onto Badminton. We’ll be taking a closer look at what each of the entrants got up to this weekend across the sections – and what it could mean for their chances in three weeks time. Stay tuned, loyal EN-ers – we’ll be bringing you all you need to know.

For now, from the grounds of Belton House (they wouldn’t let us in the house, for fear we wouldn’t leave) – so long, farewell, and Go Eventing!

The top ten in Belton’s Grantham Cup CIC3*.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Allie Knowles Take CCI Wins at Ocala International

By on Apr 15, 2018 6:20 pm -

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver. Photo courtesy of Michelle Mercier.

Clear rounds were rare today over Chris Barnard’s show jumping course today at the Ocala International 3-Day Festival of Eventing, presented by Ocala Ranches, at the Florida Horse Park. Out of 82 CCI* and CCI2* competitors who show jumped today, only 28% left all the rails up and incurred no time penalties. However, that’s what makes eventing more than just a dressage show.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and her own 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse Cooley Quicksilver headed to show jumping tied for the lead with Elisa Wallace and Steve and Vicki Sukup’s Riot Gear (Confetti x Lucy, Fuerst Gotthard). Elisa and the 9-year-old Oldenburg, affectionately known as “Rye Bread” pulled two rails to ultimately finish fourth. However, Liz and Cooley Quicksilver were left with little breathing room as Doug Payne and his own Quantum Leap (Quite Capitol x Report to Sloopy, Corporate Report) had secured one of the elusive fault-free rounds. Taking all that pressure in stride, Liz and the promising young Irish horse jumped a careful clear, in torrential rain and windy conditions, adding two time penalties for a final score of 31.4 and a win in the gelding’s first CCI2*.

Doug and Quantum Leap, a 7-year-old RPSI owned by Susan Drillock, finished second (and on his dressage score) in the gelding’s CCI2* debut. Leslie Law and his and Carmen Anderson’s 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse Call the Law (Jack of Diamonds x Amazon Cruise, Cruising) added one rail for third place and a final score of 35.9. Fifth and sixth place were both big movers up the leaderboard thanks to fault-free rounds. Shanon Baker and her 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse Ballingowan Zeal (Seabrook x Shara Bride, Clover Hill) finished on 38.2 for their first CCI2* completion, and Hope Walden and and Elaine Walden’s 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood Zatopek B (Lando x Scaramouche B, Carlino) finished on their dressage score of 39.8 in Hope’s debut at the level.

 

The skies opened up, but #babyQuantum, owned by Susan Drillock, couldn’t have cared less. He jumped an #incredible clear in #showjumping to finish 2nd in his first CCI**

Posted by DPEquestrian LLC on Sunday, April 15, 2018

Looking now to the CCI*, Alexandra Knowles and Princess B, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned and ridden by Nancy Elberty, were fault-free in the final phase, finishing on their dressage score of 25.3 and moving up from fourth to take the win.

Hallie Coon and Shanon Baker’s 7-year-old Oldenburg Captain Chacco (Chacco Blue x Carry, Carry Gold) likewise jumped double clear and finished on their dressage score of 28.5, finishing second in the gelding’s FEI debut. Leslie Law and JKF Vogue dropped a single rail to finish in third on 28.6. Liz Halliday-Sharp and Anna Kjellstrom’s 9-year-old Thoroughbred Run Marvin Run (Unbridled Energy x Thisisthelife, Fly So Free) also added four penalties to finish fourth on 28.8. Sami Crandell and her own 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse Fernhill Chaos (Chacoa x KEC Donna Diamond, Glidawn Diamond) were foot-perfect throughout and moved up from ninth after cross country to finish fifth on their dressage score of 29.0.

It’s been a very busy weekend for eventing both here in the States and across the pond. Thank you for keeping it locked on EN and thanks so much for reading. Go Eventing.

Ocala Three-Day Links: Website, Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: Been There, Done That

By on Apr 15, 2018 3:30 pm -

In the market for a new four-legged partner? You may find your unicorn on our sister site, Sport Horse Nation. To help with the search, we’re going to feature a selection of current listings here on EN each week. We include the ad copy provided; click the links for videos, pricing and contact information.

Looking for a partner who doesn’t need you to hold his hand? A horse who will help you learn without carrying a grudge for your mistakes? Here are five horses for sale who have plenty of experience at the lower levels and are ready to go on adventures with their next rider. Could that rider be you?

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Bombproof BN Packer with Scope for More:

Good mover and jumper, packs anyone to the jumps in a steady rhythm, goes on the bit and does supple lateral work. Perfect for anyone looking to have fun and be safe eventing, trail riding, Pony Club. Also totally appropriate for fox hunting in any field but has not done so yet.

Eventing recognized BN and has lots of schooling show and clinic mileage, including obstacle and desensitization clinics. Great on trails and in the barn. No vices, loads and ships perfectly, stands tied to the trailer all day, etc. 15.3 h draft cross gelding with chrome, 2012 going on been-there-done-that. No history of illness, lameness or injury. Located in Florida.

Lego. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

All Around Amateur/Junior Event Horse

Lego is a 16hh, 2011 AQHA registered Appendix. He has been successfully eventing through beginner novice level. He hasn’t had a jump penalty and won his last event. He will move up to Novice this spring. A genuine guy that is brave cross country and the bascule of a show hunter. Lego is an eye-catching mover with three lovely gaits.

He loves to hack out only or in a group and doesn’t need a full time rider. He is suited for someone who has other obligations in life and wants a nice horse to enjoy in their free time. Lego loads, clips, bathes, stands for the farrier, crossties, etc extremely well. He is a very lovable guy that is looking for his next rider. Located in Kentucky.

Kenny’s Z. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Brave and Willing Amateur Friendly Gelding

Kenny’s Z is a 17.2 h 2008 TB Gelding. Has competed at Novice level eventing and schooled Training. He has a calm temperament and easy enough for an amateur. Zee has many months of professional training and has been in a consistent riding program the past year.

He always tries hard to please his rider and will give 100%. Has great confidence xc. Always a favorite around the barn and is truly a unicorn. Only selling because owner has limited time available to ride. Many photos and videos available on his community Facebook page. Please contact me for link. Located in Florida.

Celtic Class. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Celtic Class: Novice Packer!

Celtic Class: 2007 16.1h bay Thoroughbred mare. This lovely mare is an experienced lower level event horse with scope for more. She would be just as happy to pack a rider around the lower levels, as she would be to move up the levels. Celtic Class has earned several ribbons at Novice with her good movement and super jump. She also has a lead change! Perfectly suitable for a junior, young rider or adult amateur. Located in Pennsylvania.

Tinker Toy. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Safe & Flashy Wonder Pony

Sadly outgrown, Tinker Toy the wonder pony is ready to compete! She has almost done it all! Eventing, fox hunting, dressage, Pony Club, tetrathalon, some games, trail riding, parades, Buck Brannaman clinic, but she is also a fabulous jumper! This mare is clean, scopey (could easily go 3’+ with the right rider), and always in the ribbons (mainly blue). She hauls anywhere, self-loads, hops right off and is ready to play!

My daughter has used her extensively in Pony Club. Tink would be a suitable mount for a solid D2 and could go up through C1 or C2 depending on the rider. Not a brand new beginner’s ride, but definitely a step up pony for a confident rider. She can be adjustable and add strides. She has a reliable flying lead change (auto and on demand). She’s very handy and agile. She is an easy keeper- shod in front but we’ve also kept her barefoot. Located in Missouri.

Listings included in this article are randomly selected and confirmed to be current and active before inclusion. Sport Horse Nation features user-generated content and therefore cannot verify or make any warranty as to the validity or reliability of information.

Charlie Tango Earns Another International Win with Heather Morris at Twin Rivers CIC3*

By on Apr 15, 2018 12:56 pm -

Heather Morris and Charlie Tango. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

With Heather Morris in the irons, Charlie Tango (Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan x Our Queen Bee, Ricardo Z) has eight top two finishes in 13 career international completions. Yesterday, he added another to his record, earning his second CIC3* victory at Twin Rivers Spring CCI, CIC and Horse Trials in Paso Robles, California.

Leading from start to finish, Heather and the Team Express Group’s 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse added only 6.8 cross country time penalties on James Atkinson’s testing track to finish on a final score of 37.1 in their first Advanced run since the Fair Hill International CCI3* last October.

Sabrina Glaser and Rembrandt. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Sabrina Glaser and Patricia Yust’s 10-year-old Thoroughbred cross Rembrandt (Galouet x Last Rose of Summer, Travelling Victor) got their second CIC3* completion, finishing in second place with 5.2 time penalties to add from cross country.

Tamie Smith held on to third and fourth with Kevin Baumgardner’s 15-year-year-old Dutch Warmblood Wembley (Lester x E-VIP, Cantus) and Judith McSwain’s 9-year-old Holsteiner mare Fleeceworks Royal (Riverman x Marisol). They added 12.4 and 10.0 time penalties, respectively, in the final phase.

Fifth place went to Alexis Helffrich and Pamela Williams’ 11-year-old Thoroughbred/Warmblood London Town (Laitin x Kildara Baylee, Rising Fortune). They added 18 time penalties on cross country for a final score of 58.7.

Tamie Smith and Wembley. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Our hearts break for the connections of Walterstown Don, especially his owner Laura Burnell and rider Bec Braitling. The 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse was second in the CIC3* before the start of cross country, but he sadly collapsed and passed away between fences late in the course.

Bec currently leads the way in the CCI2* riding Lauren Burnell’s Santana II (Camax L x Hofdame H, Heraldik xx) with a two phase score of 35.4. She was transferred to Sierra Vista Regional Medical for care after Walterstown Don’s collapse yesterday. Update: Bec withdrew from competition before show jumping.

Mallory Hogan and Clarissa Purisima. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Second after cross country in the CCI2* is Mallory Hogan and her 11-year-old Holsteiner mare Clarissa Purisima (Limmerick 1 x Briza). A double clear round yesterday moved them up two places on a score of 38.3. Amber Pearson and her 12-year-old Thoroughbred Patagonia (Mass Market x Dancing Eyes, Maudlin) also moved up from fifth to third with a clear round and two-phase score of 40.6. David Koss and Robyn Fisher’s 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare Erusa CBF (Idocus x Rarusa H, Indoctro) were another pair to go fault-free on cross country to sit fourth on 42.4. Jess Hargrave and her 11-year-old Trakehner Regenmann added 9.2 time penalties to drop from third to fifth.

Megan Sykes and Classic’s Mojah. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Of the 28 CCI* starters, 17 finished without jumping penalties causing some shuffling on the leaderboard. However, Megan Sykes and her 9-year-old Oldenburg Classic’s Mojah (Chambertin 3 x Senna, Sevillano xx) held on to their lead in the CCI* after a fault-free cross country round to sit on a 29.2. They have a rail in hand as they head to the final phase today.

Liza Horan and Lafite. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Liza Horan and her 11-year-old Holsteiner Lafite (Linaro x Sundrift Sandal, Brogan) moved up from sixth to second after cross country with a 34.9. Third place currently belongs to Sara Sellmer and Freesela with a score of 36.3. Sara and Erika Watson’s 19-year-old Canadian Warmblood mare progressed from ninth to third.

Amber Levine and her 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse Mare Under Your Hat made a big move from 12th after dressage to fourth as did Lauren Lockwood and her 12-year-old Thoroughbred Louis Vuitton (Islander x Silvered Tiara, Jig Time), who went from 13th to fifth. Scores are tight at the top and today’s show jumping finale may impact the final results of the remaining FEI divisions.

Twin Rivers CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Matt Flynn and Get Lucky Run For the Win at Fair Hill CIC3*

By on Apr 15, 2018 11:00 am -

Matt Flynn and Get Lucky. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Matt Flynn and Get Lucky (Van Gogh x Ranna, Wagenaar) sat in third place after the first two phases of the Fair Hill International CIC3* in Elkton, Maryland, but if they could fly home quick enough on cross country they had a chance to move up. A clear and fast round on Derek di Grazia’s course, with 5.6 penalties added, Matt and “Lucky” ultimately won on a final score of 36.5.
“I really went for it on him timewise. The corners on the way home were pretty tough out there. He jumped straight through it and was really honest all the way around,” Matt said.
“He’s a bit of a spooky horse so it takes a few runs in the spring to get out and going. This is a good place for him because it has open tracks that are great galloping versus some of the other events that can be a bit twisty. It was nice to really let him gallop and this is just an awesome venue for cross country riding.”
This the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood’s first season at the level and only his second Advanced run. Imported as a 5-year-old and produced by Matt up from the Young Event Horse Series, he’s a promising mount for the future.
“He is owned by my parents and Bess and Tyler Abell of Merry Go Round Farm together. Mr. and Mrs. Abell have been really supportive of this horse for the past five years, and Tyler really enjoys cheering him on. He’s one we hope to continue to develop up the levels,” Matt said.

Will Coleman and Off The Record. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Will Coleman will be pleased with his weekend as he looks ahead to spring four-stars in just a couple short weeks. The Off the Record Syndicate’s Off The Record (VDL Arkansas x Drumagoland Bay, Ard Ohio) added 7.2 time penalties on cross country to move up a couple places and finish second on 39.8 in the 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse’s first CIC3*.
“(Off The Record) continues to impress. It was his second Advanced and he was awesome. He’s a hardy one, but he loves cross country,” Will said. “He really looks to go out there like a total beast. I like a horse that wants to go out there and give it all to you and wants to go.”
Will has made no plans to take “Timmy” to a CCI this year. “Thinking about his career, I think he’s going to be better suited to do a bunch of these CICs throughout the summer, like Great Meadow and Bromont, and then I want to take him to Boekelo. I think he’d be a great horse for Boekelo, but 10 minutes is big. He did nine minutes in the two-star at Fair Hill here last year, and he did it double clear, but it’s a big jump from two-star to three-star, and I think he just needs a little extra build up.”
Will also picked up a win in the Advanced division, leading from start to finish with Badminton-bound OBOS O’Reilly, a 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse (OBOS Quality x Omard Clover Queen, Clover Hill) owned by the Four Star Eventing Group.

Kristen Bond and Enough Already. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Rounding out the CIC3* top three is Kristen Bond and Liz Bond’s 10-year-old Durch Warmblood Enough Already (Winningmood van de Arenberg x Zandora, Landor S). With clear rounds and 10.2 time penalties to add across the two jumping phases, they finished on 43.4 for an emotional finish in the gelding’s first run at the level.
“He hasn’t had a lot of experience. When I was pregnant, I was lucky to have amazing friends. Phillip (Dutton) rode him and Kim (Severson) had him for a little bit, so he’s had some exceptional people on him, but they didn’t do a lot of competing. So this was his first trip around. We’re learning together,” Kristen said.
“He’s an absolute stud. The last time I did a CIC or CCI3* was in 2011… It has taken a super long time for me to feel back to where I felt myself. I can definitely say it felt normal to me today.”

Boyd Martin and Long Island T. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Boyd Martin piloted the Ray Price Syndicate’s 10-year-old Thoroughbred/Warmblood Ray Price around the gelding’s first CIC3*, adding 9.6 time penalties on cross country move into fourth place on 44.2. Waylon Roberts and Anthony Connolly and Skye Levely’s 15-year-old Thoroughbred Kelecyn Cognac cruised around for their 15th three-star clear round as a pair, adding 6.4 time penalties to finish fifth on 45.2.
Kaitlin Clasing and Steplin LLC’s 11-year-old Holsteiner Cartender de Nyze (Caretino x M-Cyra, Contender) made quick work of the course with 5.8 added time penalties and a sixth place finish on 46.8. Mara DePuy and Congo Brazzaville C (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Mexico M, Highline), an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood owned by Mara, David and Mary Clark Regamey, added 12.4 time penalties to finish seventh on 52.5. Chris Talley and his own 9-year-old Thoroughbred Unmarked Bills cruised home with the fastest time, adding 5.2 penalties to move up from 12th to a final eighth place finish.
Boyd and the Long Island T Syndicate’s 12-year-old Oldenburg/Thoroughbred Long Island T (Ludwig von Bayern x Haupstsbuch Highlight, Heraldik xx), leaders after the first two phases, picked up 20 jumping and 18 time penalties to finish in ninth. Hillary Moses and Claudia Schultze’s 14-year-old Holsteiner Zanadoo (Lavall I x Granmalvina F, Lord) were clear with 18.4 time penalties to round out the top ten.

Will Faudree and Hans Dampf. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Will Faudree and Hans Dampf, a 12-year-old Oldenburg owned by Jennifer Mosing and Sterling Silver Stables, led the CIC2* from start to finish, adding only 0.4 time penalties to end on a 27.7. The son of Heraldik xx and Look CR made his return to FEI level after a year away.
“He felt great. He hadn’t been out in a year, and we’ve taken our time in his rehab. He was super cross country and show jumping. He felt like his old self. I think he was pretty happy to be back. He was doing his little dance around the start box,” Will said. “Because he hasn’t been out in a year I thought he might back off of the water, but he was foot perfect the whole way around. He felt very, very fit.”

Ryan Keefe and Rumsey Keefe’s 18-year-old Thoroughbred Flintstar (Zabalu x Croftlea Firequeen, Kingcroft Wicklow) made steady moves up the leaderboard throughout the competition. They started in seventh place with a 31.3 and ultimately placed second as the only combination in the division to finish on their dressage score in their first two-star as a pair.

Lindsay Kelley and Cooley Cruise Control (Chacoa x Castlequarter Royale, Guy Cavalier), a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by the Cooley Cruise Control Syndicate made a big move from 13th after dressage to eventual third, adding just 2.8 time penalties for a final score of 35.4. Caitlin Silliman and Morgan McCue’s 7-year-old Trakehner Ally KGO (Hirtentanz 2 x Annabel Lee, Butow) were foot perfect save ten additional seconds on the clock for a final score of 36.2, good for fourth place in the mare’s first attempt at the level.
Alex Reed with her 11-year-old Thoroughbred On Broadway (Mass Market x Catz, Catrail) and Will with Michel 233 (Mighty Magic x First Lady, Federweisser), an 8-year-old Hanoverian owned by Jennifer Mosing and Sterling Silver Stables, posted two of the four double clear cross country rounds to finish in fifth and sixth place respectively. The remaining fault free cross country trip belongs to Arielle Aharoni and Christina Aharoni’s 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood Dutch Times (Goodtimes x Alino Queen, Michellino), who moved up from 18th to eighth in the final phase.

Kelli Temple and Metallica. Photo by Amy Dragoo.

Turning to the CIC*, Kelli Temple and Kara Angulo’s 8-year-old Holsteiner mare Metallica (Cancara x Ulysses, Casall) picked up their first international win, finishing with a 28.5 after adding just a rail to their initial score.
Mike Pendleton and Bonnie Stedt’s 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse The Fonz Himself (Vincenzo Vant Merelsnest x Jadore Chanel) crossed the finish line in the final phase two seconds over the time to finish on 29.5 for second place in their first FEI appearance as a pair.
Olivia Dutton and the very experienced Mr Medicott (Cruising x Slieveluachra, Edmund Burke), a 19-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by the Mr Medicott Syndicate, came home double clear for third place and a final score of 31.6 in their first international appearance as a pair. This was also the gelding’s first FEI event since last April, when he won the USEF CCI4* National Championship at the Kentucky Three-Day Event with Olivia’s father, Phillip Dutton.
Katherine DeLaney and Kara Angulo’s 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood Elbaran (Albaran x Twiggy) added just 0.4 time penalties to an otherwise superb performance for fourth place on 31.8 in their first one-star. Rounding out the top five is Francesca Broggini and her 19-year-old Belgian Sport Horse Petit Bleu Marine (Nabab de Reve x Nurioso Monsboro, Surioso), who moved up from 10th after show jumping after a fault free round across the country.
Shelby Allen also contributed to this report.

Fair Hill CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

Photo Gallery: Ocala International Cross Country + Day 3 Score Report

By on Apr 15, 2018 9:00 am -

The CCI* and CCI2* competitors tackled Hugh Lochore’s cross country course yesterday at the Ocala International 3-Day Festival of Eventing, presented by Ocala Ranches, at the Florida Horse Park. Afterwards we saw some shifting of the standings and an exciting tie for the lead in the CCI2*. All will be decided today in show jumping. Meanwhile, here is a photo gallery of yesterday’s action courtesy of Lisa Madren and a score report to bring you up to speed.

CCI2*

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver. Photo by Lisa Madren.

Elisa Wallace and Steve and Vicki Sukup’s 9-year-old Oldenburg Riot Gear, leaders of the CCI2* after dressage, jumped clear across the country but added 2.4 time penalties. With a two-phase score of 29.4, they are now in a tie for the lead with Liz Halliday-Sharp and her own 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse Cooley Quicksilver, who posted a double clear round yesterday.

In the event that both horses show jump clear today, Liz and Cooley Quicksilver will take home the win as they came in under the time on cross country. Both Cooley Quicksilver and Riot Gear are new to the CCI2* level. While each are piloted by experienced riders and are capable of a clear, their FEI records are not spotless in the stadium ring. They’ve also got the rest of the field breathing down their necks, with the top ten within two rails of the leaders.

Elisa Wallace and Riot Gear. Photo by Lisa Madren.

Alexandra Knowles and Katherine O’Brien’s Business Class went double-clear on cross country to move up one place to third on 31.0 followed closely by Leslie Law and his and Carmen Anderson’s Call the Law on 31.9. They crossed the finish line just one second over the optimum time.

Brandon McMechan and his own Oscar’s Wild remain tied for fifth on 33.8 with Buck Davidson and Abby Maude’s Spring Street. Both combinations posted fault-free rounds and moved up a few places.

Kyle Carter and Let It Be Lee, owned by the Five Pine Partnership, were clear with no time penalties to sit in seventh on 35.1. Doug Payne and his own Quantum Leap are eighth on 35.3 after a double clear round followed by Kim Liddell and her own Eye of the Storm in ninth on 37.0. Elinor MacPhail O’Neal and Alix Curry’s Zeta round out the top ten on a 37.2 having added 1.6 time penalties across the country.

CCI*

Jordan Linstedt and Staccato. Photo by Lisa Madren.

Looking to the massive 67-horse CCI* division, dressage leaders David O’Connor and Jacqueline Mars’ Cooley Dream retired after picking up 20 penalties on cross country. That opened the door for second place Jordan Linstedt and Staccato, a 9-year-old Holsteiner owned by Janine Jaro, to step into the leading position. They head to the final phase on their dressage score of 23.6.

The top six after dressage all moved up one place after fault-free cross country rounds and sit within a rail of the win. Leslie Law and Beatrice Rey-Herme’s JKF Vogue are second on 24.6 followed by Liz Halliday-Sharp and Anna Kjellstrom’s Run Marvin Run in third on 24.8. Alexandra Knowles and Nancy Elberty’s Princess B are fourth on 25.3 and Elinor MacPhail O’Neal and Sally Crane Cox’s Zick Zack round out the top five on 26.3.

In sixth place with a 28.0 is Candy King, owned and ridden by Holly Jacks Smither. They moved up from eighth after a penalty free trip across the country. There is a tie for seventh place on a 28.5 between Hallie Coon and Shanon Baker’s Captain Chacco and Lesley Grant-Law and Cianu, owned by Jackie and Steve Brown. Caitlyn Ruud and Up to You De Lorage, owned by Light Speed Equestrian LLC, are tied for ninth place with Sami Crandell and his own Fernhill Chaos  on 29.0.

Good luck to everyone competing today. Jump high and tidy! Go eventing.

Ocala Three-Day Links: Website, Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores

Sunday Links Presented by One K Helmets

By on Apr 15, 2018 12:01 am -

Mara DePuy and Congo Brazzaville C. Photo by Shelby Allen.

While I’m closing out the weekend at Fair Hill, my thoughts are with Lauren Burnell, Bec Braitling and team who lost Walterstown Don yesterday at Twin Rivers. I was tremendously lucky to have the opportunity to watch that fantastic horse in person—he had a personality that commanded attention. All of us at EN send our condolences to those who loved Walter.

National Holiday: National Tax Day

Major Events:

Belton International H.T. [Website] [Entries & Ride Times] [Results]

Ocala International CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

U.S. Weekend Action:

Fair Hill CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

Twin Rivers CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Fence H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Results]

Sunday Links: 

Werth And Weihegold OLD Come Through To Reclaim FEI World Cup Dressage Final Title

Breitling LS Shines On Second Day Of Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final

Flynn Flies to CIC3* Win at Fair Hill International

Rider eliminated under blood rule at World Cup jumping final

8 things you forget when you take a break from eventing

Eventing at Virginia Tech Has That Hokie Spirit

Sunday Video:

‘A Track to Test Badminton Entrants’ – Exploring the Belton CIC3* Course

By on Apr 14, 2018 7:28 pm -

Holly Woodhead and E Warrantsson return from a spin around the Intermediate course at Belton. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Tomorrow sees the Battle of Belton pick up some serious speed, with showjumping taking place throughout the morning and cross country following closely behind. With just one rail separating second place from 22nd, we can expect to see a major reshuffle across the board, particularly as most horses are lacking in match practice and, in some cases, are having their first run of the season tomorrow.

Captain Mark Phillips always builds a thinking man’s course at Belton, with tricky combinations designed to prepare horses and riders for their spring CCI runs. This year is no exception, and, perhaps as a result of the late-onset-early-season phenomenon inflicted upon everybody by the mass cancellations this spring, it looks particularly challenging.

Fence 6A.

Fences 6BC.

Fence 6D.

Several of its combinations ask modified versions of the questions to be seen at Badminton, making this an ideal litmus test, but not one to be taken lightly. The first real question appears at fence 6ABCD — look, it’s never a reassuring sign when there are THAT many letters — which reads like a toned-down facsimile of Badminton’s Joules Corners. Belton’s version features a wide hedge, two offset, reasonably narrow angled hedges, and a skinny hedge spread on the way out. We’ll likely see a few horses take the side route through this question, which tests horse and rider’s commitment to the line.

Fence 11A.

Fence 11B.

Further along, at 11AB, the Riverlodge Equestrian Hollow, we see the use of man-made undulations and airy timber uprights, which are used so liberally in next month’s Badminton course. There’s also a reasonably kind water combination (12ABC) with a very skinny arrowhead on the way out — yet another test of line and straightness, essential when tackling the tricky turns and offset skinnies featured in the water at Badminton — and the Lycetts Leap at 14ABC, a coffin with yet another angled, offset hedge.

Fence 14A.

Fence 14BC (left).

From then on out, it’s reasonably plain sailing until 19ABCD, the Oldrids and Downtown Sunken Road, which features a curving line through, you guessed it, a sunken road – but preceded and followed by two big, airy timber open corners.

Fence 19A

Fence 19BC

Fence 19D

The beauty of a CIC3* course like this is in its ability to ask tricky questions, but offer respite from them, too, and Mark Phillips has done an excellent job of designing a course that allows horses to find their rhythm and flow easily around large swaths of the course, adjust, work hard through a tricky combination, and then move on again in a rhythm. It’s a system of ask and reward which, with any luck, should prove hugely beneficial in this early part of the season.

As Jonty Evans puts it: “any horse who can set a good, competitive pace around this track will find themselves in a very good place going into Badminton.”

Course length: 3610m

Optimum time: 6:20

To check out the course in full, click here.

Belton International H.T. [Website] [Entries & Ride Times] [Live Scores] [EN’s coverage]

Walterstown Don Collapses, Dies Between Fences at Twin Rivers

By on Apr 14, 2018 7:25 pm -

Bec Braitling and Walterstown Don. Photo by Shelby Allen.

We are deeply saddened to report the loss of Lauren Burnell’s Walterstown Don, a 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse, who died at Twin Rivers in Paso Robles, California today when he collapsed between fences 18 and 19 on the CIC3* cross country course. The cause of his collapse is not known pending a necropsy exam. His rider, Bec Braitling, was transferred to Sierra Vista Regional Medical for care.

Walterstown Don (Don Juan de la Bouverie x Walterstown Treacy VII, by Vivadari) has had a long, storied career. Born in Ireland, he was produced through the CIC2* level by Diarmuid O’Brien. Clayton Fredericks later campaigned him extensively in Europe, winning the 2010 Malmö CCI2* and the 2012 Burnham Market CIC3*, and piloted him to the horse’s first CCI4* appearance at Burghley.

After being imported to America, Walterstown Don was competed by Michael Pollard and later his owner, Lauren. Together in 2016, Walterstown Don and Lauren were 12th at the Rebecca Farm CCI1*, fourth at the Galway Downs CCI2*, and winners at the Woodside CIC2*.

Walterstown Don partnered with California-based Australian Bec Braitling in 2017. They went on to compete in six FEI events at the two-star and three-star level, never finishing outside the top 10 and earning three top-five placings at the three-star level.

The EN teams sends sincere condolences to Lauren, Bec, and everyone who knew and loved Walterstown Don. He will be deeply missed on the West Coast and beyond.

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