Classic Eventing Nation

Sunday Video from Total Saddle Fit: Clayton Fredericks’ Jersey Fresh Helmet Cam

By on May 13, 2018 5:00 pm -

Ride Around Jersey Fresh International With Clayton Fredericks and FE Bowman

Clayton Fredericks voices over his ride on the CIC3* course yesterday with FE Bowman. Get his persepctive and insight on the Mark Phillips course and enjoy the ride!

Posted by Jersey Fresh International Three Day Event on Sunday, May 13, 2018

Clayton Fredericks and FE Bowman, a 10-year-old Wurttemberger owned by Clayton, Amanda Bernhard, and Diana J. Crawford, were clear with some time penalties on Captain Mark Phillips’ CIC3* cross country course at the Jersey Fresh International Horse Trials yesterday. Ride along with them and listen to Clayton discuss the course, the footing and where he was able to shave valuable seconds off the clock.

#JFI3DE: Website, Schedule, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Specifically for eventers, the StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth now comes in two shades of brown to match monoflap jump saddles! Let your horse move more freely and breathe easier by using the same girth as Tamra Smith. See them all here: totalsaddlefit.com

To Eventing Nation Moms

By on May 13, 2018 2:30 pm -

Moms. They pick us up when we’re down, show us all the love the have and more, and give us a good kick in the pants when we need one. So many of us have a mom or mom figure to thank for supporting our horsey obsessions and making it possible for us to chase our dreams. Here’s to all the moms out there in the Eventing Nation. Thanks for everything. Happy Mother’s Day.

Happy Mothers Day Mama Kieffs! ????

Posted by Lauren Bliss on Sunday, May 13, 2018

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: 5 Gorgeous Grays

By on May 13, 2018 12:30 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.

There is no denying that a gray horse turns heads no matter where he goes. If you’re partial to a gorgeous dappled, fleabitten or pure white coat, start stocking up on purple shampoo and check out these five stunners for sale.

Occelli. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Big, Grey, Potential Eventer!

Occelli is a 2008 16.3h Grey TB gelding. He has mileage in the HJ world and could happily keep doing jumpers but is a really fun ride for eventing. Brave, scopey, good gaits. No vices and suitable for Jr/YR/AA. He has done one schooling BN HT and will be ready for Novice in short order! A great type for a Jr to enjoy! Not strong or hot. Owner is neg this month before input costs rise! Located in South Carolina.

Mia Bellissima. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Mia Bellissima: Uncomplicated & Kind!

Mia Bellissima: 2005 16.2h grey Holsteiner-cross mare. This lovely mare is an uncomplicated ride, and the perfect horse to gain experience with. She has ribbons at Training and Preliminary and is ready to show tomorrow! Mia is a good mover and jumper, being both honest and brave in the ring and out on cross country. She would be suitable for a junior, young rider of adult amateur. Located in Pennsylvania.

Bailey. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

*Price Reduced* Proven CCI*/Prelim Packer

Bailey is a 14 y/o, 15.2 hh Thoroughbred/Quarter Horse mare. Competed successfully through CCI*, she would be great as a Young Riders horse or for an amateur looking to learn the ropes! Very honest and bold on cross-country, careful and scopey stadium, and overall a straightforward ride who is eager to please. Many successful seasons at Training Level and Prelim.

Sound, no vices, excellent ground manners and is UTD on everything. She can be hacked out on trails alone or with others, is quiet to handle, and is always a barn favorite. Sad sale as rider is graduating from college and will no longer be competing. Great home an absolute must! Currently located in California.

The Green Machine. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

CCI** ISH gelding

The Green Machine. A ten year old, 16 hh, grey Irish Sport horse gelding. The Green Machine is Sired by the influential sport horse stallion, Formula One, and out of a Thoroughbred mare whom herself competed through the advanced level.

The Green Machine himself competed successfully to the CCI Two Star level, with multiple wins at the Prelim and Intermediate levels. He shows a very consistent record of low dressage scores, and great jumping results in both the cross country and show jumping.

He presents 3 very good gaits highlighted by a great ground covering walk, and a very comfortable canter. He is very steady in the contact, and completely confirmed in his training through second level dressage. In the jump he is very tidy in his form and auto lead changes. Though standing at 16 hands, he does take up your leg nicely and covers the ground very well. Making the striding is not a problem for him.

Ideally suited towards an ambitious YR or AA looking to be competitive moving up the levels, or aiming for NAJYRC. He would also be extremely versatile as a dressage or show jumping candidate. Goes in a French link on the flat, and an elevating snaffle in the jump. Located in Idaho.

Mercury. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Perfect NAYRC Horse

Mercury is a 2008 Appendix Mare. Brought along by a Junior, she has extensive mileage at the prelim/CCI* level. This is an extremely honest and genuine mare capable of continuing up the levels or taking a step back and showing someone the ropes. Located in Ontario.

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.

Two Horses Not Accepted in Jersey Fresh Final Inspection

By on May 13, 2018 10:15 am -

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms at Jersey Fresh, including mom of two Jessica Phoenix! Photo by Jenni Autry.

Hello from an overcast Mother’s Day morning at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event in Allentown, New Jersey. All horses in both CCI divisions were accepted in the final inspection, sending 19 combinations on to show jumping in the CCI3* and 17 combinations forward in the CCI2*.

Two horses were sent to the holding box in the CIC3* division: Matt Flynn’s mount Get Lucky and Chris Talley’s mount Sandro’s Star. Sandro’s Star was accepted after re-presenting from the holding box, while Get Lucky was not accepted.

Two horses were sent to the holding box in the CIC2*: Jan Byyny’s mount Volcan de Caverie and Holly Payne Caravella’s mount Bruisyard Hall. Both horses were accepted after being re-presented from the holding box. Ashley Kehoe’s mount Cinco de Mayo was not accepted following the first pass down the jog strip. Will Coleman did not present Boris O’Hara in the CIC2*.

All other horses that presented in the CIC divisions were accepted, giving us 52 pairs to tackle Chris Barnard’s show jumping course in the CIC2* and 30 pairs to jump in the CIC3*.

Show jumping is underway now with the CIC2* division, followed by the CIC3* at 11:30 a.m. EST, CCI3* at 1:30 p.m. EST, and CCI2* at 3 p.m. EST.

Stay tuned as we countdown to the finale here at Jersey Fresh. Click here to catch up on all of EN’s #JFI3DE coverage so far. Go Eventing.

#JFI3DE: Website, Schedule, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Sunday Links Presented by One K Helmets

By on May 13, 2018 12:01 am -

Caroline Martin and Jump Jet. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Happy Mother’s Day! While we all come into this sport in a different way, most of us can credit an awesome horse show mom for our involvement. The ones who cheer for you when you win and comfort you when your horse bucks you off at a competition. One day can’t do them justice. Cheers to you, moms!

National Holiday: Mother’s Day

Major Events:

Jersey Fresh Links: Website, XC Times, Schedule, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Event Rider Masters @ Chatsworth: Website, Start Times, Results, Live Stream

U.S. Weekend Action:

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

Plantation Field May H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Mill Creek Pony Club at Longview H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Texas Rose Horse Park Summer H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Galway Downs Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Spokane Sport Horse Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Winona H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Sunday Links: 

Equestrian Election Fever: FEI President Stands Unopposed for Re-election; 50 Athletes Target Eight Sport Posts

2018 FEI World Equestrian Games Announces Official Mascots

Sponsors drop Oliver Townend after Badminton – others back the world no.1

Saliva test was able to detect horses with colic pain

Prince Renan Reigns In CIC** At Jersey Fresh International

Martin Maintains His Leads At Jersey Fresh International CCI

Sunday Video:

Jenny Caras and Fernhill Fortitude Cruise to CIC3* Lead at Jersey Fresh

By on May 12, 2018 8:48 pm -

Jenny Caras and Fernhill Fortitude. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Time made all the difference today on CIC3* cross country at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event in Allentown, New Jersey. Jenny Caras and Fernhill Fortitude delivered the fastest round of the division, crossing the finish with 4.0 time penalties to move from fourth place after dressage up to lead on 33.8.

“Forty,” a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Courage II X Misty Matilda, by Clover) owned by the Fernhill Fortitude Syndicate, is aiming for the Bromont CCI3* next month, and Jenny said she was delighted with their run today.

Click here to read quotes from Jenny and all our overnight leaders at Jersey Fresh. Jenny also wanted to send a special shout out to her mom, Paula, for Mother’s Day. Three cheers for all the moms who sacrifice so much to help their horse-crazy children achieve their dreams!

Boyd Martin is completely dominating the competition across all divisions at Jersey Fresh, and he moved up to second place today in the CIC3* with Christine Turner’s Kyra. The 11-year-old Canadian Warmblood mare (VDL Ulando H X Wellesley, by Weltstern) skipped around clear with 4.8 time penalties to sit on 34.6 — which means Jenny Caras cannot afford even 1 time penalty tomorrow in show jumping.

The removal of the dressage coefficient for FEI scoring means we can expect tightly bunched scores heading into the final day. Every time penalty on cross country and every rail down in show jumping will potentially cost multiple spots on the leaderboard. On the flip side, pairs who can finish on their dressage score, or add the fewest penalties in the jumping phases, will be rewarded handsomely.

Case in point: Boyd Martin and Steady Eddie jumped up five spots on the leaderboard thanks to adding 5.6 time penalties, and now sit in third place on 36.8 going into show jumping. Better known as “The Eagle,” this 15-year-old New Zealand Thoroughbred (Jetball X Tudnela) owned by George and Gretchen Wintersteen, Denise Lahey and Pierre Colin, is also heading to Bromont CCI3* next month.

Allison Springer and Lord Willing, a 9-year-old Holsteiner (Lord Z X Legende IX, by Coriano) owned by the Lord Willing Syndicate, led after dressage and picked up 10.8 time penalties in the confidence-boosting round she hoped for to sit in fourth place on 38.6.

Phillip Dutton and Kevin Keane’s Sportsfield Candy, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse by Condios who won the CCI2* here in 2016, jumped clear with 10.8 time penalties to round out the top five on 39.8. We are pleased to report that our favorite vet Dr. Kevin Keane is well on the mend after breaking his leg and will be back in the tack very soon.

Looking to the full CIC3* division, 29 of the 33 starters completed Capt. Mark Phillips’ cross country course without jumping penalties to give us an 88% clear rate.

Mara Depuy and Congo Brazzaville C, who sat in third place after dressage, had a bummer of a drive-by at 7B, the skinny brush at the Jersey Shore, to pick up 20 jumping penalties. Tayler Stewart and Ideal Contini also picked up 20 jumping penalties at 7B.

Looking to other trouble in the CIC3*, Cindy Anderson-Blank and Windchase Phoenix Star were eliminated at the Jersey Shore after accumulating three total refusals on course. Sara Kozumplik Murphy and Fly Me Courageous recorded a technical elimination at fence 25.

Click here to view full scores from the CIC3* and here to relive the action in EN’s live updates.

Anna Loschiavo and Prince Renan. Photo by Alison Green.

Anna Loschiavo and Prince Renan Lead CIC2*

The clock also proved influential for the outcome of the CIC2* division, with Anna Loschiavo and Gina Giudici-Oakes’ Prince Renan cruising around inside the time to jump from fourth after dressage up to lead on 29.7.

You might remember Prince Renan as William Fox-Pitt’s ride at the Central Park Horse Show last year. Anna has diligently produced the 15-year-old Thoroughbred/Holsteiner (Rodin X Fly Right By, by Niosk), to this level, and we are delighted to see her topping the leaderboard tonight. Click here to read Anna’s thoughts following cross country in EN’s full quotes report.

Holly Payne-Caravella and CharmKing, a 7-year-old Holsteiner (Cassito X O-Heraldika, by Heraldik) owned by CharmKing LLC, also made the optimum time to move from fifth up to second place on 30.0.

Alexa Lapp crushed it in her first CIC2* aboard Tim and Nina Gardner’s Cambalda, a 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Balda Beau X Cathy’s Lady), to sit in third place on 30.1 thanks to catching the time on cross country.

Sixteen of the 56 starters (29% of the division) made the optimum time of 6 minutes, 13 seconds in the CIC2*, which ran as the final division of the day. Click here to view a full breakdown of scores in the CIC2*.

The final horse inspection at Jersey Fresh starts tomorrow at 8 a.m. EST. Show jumping will start at 10 a.m. EST with the CIC2* division, followed by the CIC3* at 11:30 a.m. EST, CCI3* at 1:30 p.m. EST, and CCI2* at 3 p.m. EST.

Click here to catch up on all of EN’s #JFI3DE coverage so far. Go Eventing.

#JFI3DE: Website, Schedule, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Must Read Quotes from Post Cross Country Press Conference at Jersey Fresh

By on May 12, 2018 7:20 pm -

It was a big day of cross country at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event and we’ve been looking forward to hearing what the competitors’ had to say about it in the evening press conference. Here are your must read quotes.

Boyd Martin on a cracking day: “It’s a bit confusing actually. I rode every jump on this farm today. And for someone as simple as me that’s a lot of remembering to do.”

(Very funny!)

“I thought On Cue (CCI2* leader) should win this one because she’s all class. Then Ray Price and Long Island T (second and first respectively in the CCI3*) are very good on the flat and very good jumpers. I didn’t come here thinking to win just give them a good crack. Kyra (second in CIC3*) was a bit of a surprise; she’s pretty green. Steady Eddie (third in CIC3*) – it’s a shame I had a stupid runout at Kentucky… I schooled him a couple times at home and came here and ripped him around and he felt good. And old Shamwari (16th in CIC2*) felt good in the CIC2* star. I went a bit slow on him just trying to look after the old boy on the way to Luhmühlen.

Boyd on his career: “I’m tooled up with a lot of good horses coming through at the moment and I think the next four or five years in my career will be good because we went out and picked out 4, 5, and 6 year olds years ago. Now they’re all starting to step up and I’ve got some strong rides coming through that were hand picked… It’s a lot of hard work and you’ve got to have a vision and be very patient… It’s a wise man’s game and I’ve been around a little bit now and still enjoying it, still loving the sport and enjoying days like this.”

Boyd on selecting the right course for the horse: “(Course designer) Captain Mark Phillips has done a good job. I think he’s been a little bit cautious of building anything too monstrous and that’s a good thing because it’s a bit of a go-cart course.

“In my book, if you get around Bromont or Fair Hill well then you’re ready to go to any four-star in the world. (Jersey) is sort of a building three-star. This course has its place. I think you’ve got to always point your horse towards competitions that are suited to them. I feel in my heart that Long Island T and Ray Price would be overfaced at Bromont and this would suit them better.”

Boyd on WEG: “At the moment America looks very strong… this year there’s a number of horses and riders that are in great form, have good results, and look strong and it’s very exciting… (High Performance Director) Erik Duvander has been a wicked asset. I’ve worked under a lot of chef d’equipes in Australia and America and this man is hungry… He’s bubbling with passion and I think the American riders are responding really well. I think it’s exciting times in the sport of eventing in America.”

Hawley Bennett-Awad (CCI3* third place) on sweet redemption: 
“I was supposed to have a good go at Kentucky and things didn’t go as planned. That’s horses. It was a bit of a mind game for me to stay out here two weeks and not let it affect me. I went to Buck (Davidson’s) and we had a couple of really hard lessons and it was great. He got me in the right mindset. It’s a big show for me to get qualified for the World’s. I would love to go and represent Canada again.”

Hawley on Jollybo’s round: “Honestly, Jolly couldn’t have been any better. She literally was foot perfect around. I could have gone a little quicker in the middle but it was more important for me to stay in a good rhythm and have a really good, positive go. She came back amazing and is happy as can be eating snacks in her stall. She looks great. I just want to have a good calm warm up tomorrow and have a good show jump round. She deserves a good go.”

Hawley on having a great horse and great support crew: “She’s an unbelievable horse for me. To have people support you when things go wrong and are still there is a true test of character for me. I know who those people are and I’m very thankful to have them in my corner and hopefully tomorrow will make them proud. She’s a special horse. She’s a crowd favorite. People love her. She’s little and she’s sassy and she’s a great horse for me. I’m just thankful that I have her and I just want to do good by her tomorrow.”

CIC3* leader Jenny Caras on her partnership with Fernhill Fortitude: “I’ve been with Forty for a long time now. He was a young rider horse for me. I got him when he was 7. He had not evented much at all so I’ve brought him up and we’ve come up together. I’ve been at the three-star level for a while so I know him really well and it’s always been good at home and then you come to the event and something little happens… So I’ve produced him slowly with Phillip (Dutton). We have been working really hard on his flat work and it paid off this weekend, so hopefully we can continue that upward trajectory.”

Jenny on developing rideability: “When I moved him up to the level he was a bit strong and overly confident so I needed a bit more of a bit in his mouth to help me hold him off the jumps because even at the three-star level they’re not quite big enough to hold him. He’s so rideable now and has gotten so trained that I don’t need that anymore, so I rode him in a snaffle today and he was great. He was back to his old self of pulling me along and really eating up the ground so it was really exciting to be back on him again like that.”

CIC2* leader Anna Loschiavo on her round: “I had probably the best cross country ride I’ve ever had on Prince Renan. He just blew me away. I’ve been with him for 10 years now. I’ve had him from his first jump and his owners (Gina and Rodney Oakes) are phenomenal. He was intended to be an amateur horse and that wasn’t really going to be his path. They’ve stayed behind him the whole time and been supportive of him even though it’s been a long path taking him up the levels.”

Anna on taking her time with Renan: “He’s been really tricky. There are still some days where he acts like he can’t go past our house and he’s pretty spooky. For him to go out there (today) and take control and be so bold and brave – he’s just really come a long way. We’ve taken our time at the two-star and done quite a few with him because he’s really important to keep him confident. He’s stepped up to the plate more than I even expected. We’re going to go to Bromont and this was just a prep for that in his schedule and to keep challenging him. He’s definitely answered the whole way.

“For him to have a nice dressage test that kept him up towards the top was rewarding. He’s not a very big mover, but he tries so hard and he’s well schooled and accurate so for that to be rewarded was really nice. He tried his heart out and it used to be every time we went in the arena it was about which flower pot he was going to spook at. So for him to be so businesslike throughout the whole event has been really cool, and he just felt like he had his heart in it out there and really had a good time.

Anna on owning a horse with her mom: “My other horse (Spartacus Q) is a lot greener… He’s a really cool up-and-coming horse. We bought him for my mom (Melanie Loschiavo). She wanted to buy a horse that we could train together so up until this point I take him to Ocala and compete him in the winter and she competes him all summer. He’s one of the first horses I’ve had at this level where I haven’t had as much saddle time with him. It’s been a really neat path.

“She did her first ever Prelim on him. She’s been riding since she was a kid and went through Training level and did her first Prelim on him last year. He’s just really come into it this winter and seemed like he wanted to keep going up the levels so she wants me to keep riding him full time.”

“He was supposed to get a 23 in dressage for Mother’s Day but I don’t know what happened! Must have been rider error.”

#JFI3DE: Website, XC Start Times, Schedule, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Instagram Roundup: Jersey Fresh International Fan Favorites

By on May 12, 2018 5:16 pm -

With many fast and clear cross country rounds hitting the scoreboard, competitors had a lot to celebrate at the end of the competition day at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event.

A special characteristic of Jersey Fresh is that it attracts crowds of local spectators who love to enjoy a day in the country. They have such a grand time watching the competition and socializing, EN’s Jenni Autry had a hard time hearing the speakers near the Jersey Shore water complex while posting live updates.

Love the encouragement from the crowd in this one. Get it! Get it!

While some of the spectators aren’t necessarily horse people, some of them are big fans appreciative of the opportunity to meet their idols. It’s great to see competitors embracing the moment, too!

Good luck to all in tomorrow’s show jumping finale and thanks to the Jersey locals for supporting the event! Go Eventing.

#JFI3DE: Website, Schedule, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Boyd Martin Continues CCI Domination on Jersey Fresh Cross Country

By on May 12, 2018 4:51 pm -

Boyd Martin and Long Island T. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Boyd Martin said yesterday that he planned to ride CCI3* debutant Long Island T at a pace that allowed the horse to cope with the fences in the biggest test of his career to date.

A clear round with 10.8 time penalties kept Long Island T, a 12-year-old Oldenburg/Thoroughbred (Ludwig von Bayern x Haupstsbuch Highlight, by Heraldik xx) owned by the Long Island T Syndicate, atop the CCI3* leaderboard on 39.1 following cross country.

Boyd Martin also holds second place with another CCI3* first-timer in his homebred Ray Price, a 10-year-old Thoroughbred/Dutch gelding (Raise A Stanza X Fair Fiona, by Salute) owned by the Ray Price W Syndicate. Ray Price added 10 time penalties to move up one spot on the CCI3* leaderboard to sit second on 39.1.

Boyd Martin and Ray Price. Photo by Jenni Autry.

No one caught the optimum of 10 minutes, 10 seconds on Capt. Mark Phillips’ CCI3* course, and speedy combinations were rewarded with big jumps of the leaderboard.

After early trouble on course at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, Hawley Bennett-Awad found redemption in a big way today with her own Jollybo. The 14-year-old British-bred mare (Jumbo X Polly Coldunnell, by Danzig Connection) jumped clear with 7.6 time penalties to move from 11th after dressage up to third on 41.8.

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Buck Davidson and Maya Studenmund’s Archie Rocks, a 10-year-old Thoroughbred (Le Monde X Unbridled Diva, by Unbridled Jet), clocked one of the fastest rounds in the division, moving from 15th to fourth place on 41.9 with 6.4 time penalties.

Cornelia Dorr and her own Louis M, a 13-year-old Rheinlander (Lissabon 29 X Angelique M, by Abanos), jumped clear with 10.4 time penalties in the CCI3* debut for both horse and rider to move up from 10th to fifth on 42.8.

Nilson Moreira da Silva and L & N Equestrian’s Magnum’s Martini, a 14-year-old Oldenburg (Magnum X Momo’s Girl) delivered the fastest round of the division with 5.6 time penalties to jump from 23rd after dressage up to 10th place on 49.1.

Seventeen of the 26 starters in the CCI3* completed without jumping penalties to give us a 65% clear rate. Fences 9B and 9C, a pair of skinnies at the Jersey Shore, caused the most trouble by far.

Nilson Moreira da Silva retired Lady Colina after two runouts at 9B. Cornelia Dorr retired Sir Patico MH following two runouts at 9C. Jessica Phoenix retired Dr. Sheldon Cooper after a runout at 9C.

Waylon Roberts and Lancaster had a runout at 9C and went on to complete with 20.8 time penalties. Autumn Schweiss and Oakport Strauss also had a runout at fence 9C and went on to complete with 6 time penalties. Liz Stewart and Elusive had two runouts at 9C before parting ways at fence 20, the hanging log jumping into the second water, when the mare left a leg.

Looking to other trouble on course, Nilson Moreira da Silva retired Cash after two runouts at the double of corners at fence 7. Whitney Mahloch and Military Mind were eliminated following a runout at fence 13, the corner after the down bank, and two runouts at fence 29B, the corner coming out of the Jersey Shore. Elinor MacPhail O’Neal and RF Eloquence had a runout at 16B, the second of the angled brushes, and retired after fence 26.

Click here to catch up on all the CCI3* action in EN’s live updates. Click here to view final scores after cross country.

Boyd Martin and On Cue. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Boyd Martin and On Cue Keep CCI2* Lead

The top three in the CCI2* after dressage remained unchanged following cross country, will all three pairs catching the optimum time of 8 minutes, 32 seconds.

Boyd Martin and Christine Turner’s On Cue, a 12-year-old Anglo European mare (Cabri d’Elle X On High, by Primitive Rising), still leads on 25.7 in her CCI2* debut.

Boyd will not have a rail in hand tomorrow over Caroline Martin and Sherrie Martin’s Jump Jet, a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Captain Clover X Kilmullen Cruisalier, by Cavalier Royale), who sits second on 29.2.

Caroline Martin and Jump Jet. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Allison Springer and Business Ben, an 8-year-old Thoroughbred (Artie Schiller X Min Elreeh, by Danzig) owned by the Business Ben Partnership, sit third on 30.8.

Tim Bourke and Carla Abramcheck’s Quality Time, a 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Guidam X Ruby Roller, by High Roller) clocked around 32 seconds inside the time to deliver the fastest round in the division, moving up from seventh after dressage to fourth place on 34.6.

Allie Knowles and Katherine O’Brien’s Casarino, an 11-year-old Holsteiner (Cassaro X Rosy M, by Cardino), jumped clear with 4 time penalties to round out the top five on 35.9.

Seventeen of the 18 starters in the CCI2* jumped clear over the course, which Morgan Rowsell co-designed with Capt. Mark Phillips. Alex Tett and Hawk’s Cay were the only pair that did not complete, retiring after picking up 20 penalties at both fence 7C and fence 8.

Ten of the 17 pairs that completed caught the optimum time of 8 minutes, 32 seconds. Click here to view final scores in the CCI2*. Stay tuned for quotes from the overnight leaders. Go Eventing.

#JFI3DE: Website, Schedule, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Chatsworth ERM Dressage: All About That (Mr) Bass

By on May 12, 2018 3:13 pm -

Laura Collett and Mr Bass deliver their best performance yet, to the rather apt “All About That Bass.” We approve. Photo by Ben Clark/Event Rider Masters.

We might not have had the pleasure of seeing him at Badminton, from which he was withdrawn due to a lack of prep runs, but Mr Bass, piloted by Laura Collett, wasted no time in putting himself firmly back in the spotlight in the first international after the fact. First in the ring after the lunch break, the pair posted a 25.3 – their best-ever score as a combination – and staked a claim on the lead that proved unshiftable.

“He’s a lovely character – we have a real relationship, and he knows how to wind me up, but when he performs like that it’s worth it,” she said of the 10-year-old Carrico gelding, owned by the How and Scott families with Laura.

“He was really with me, and trying really hard, so I’m glad the judges rewarded that – but he’s still not done, and there’s much more to come, which is very exciting.”

Laura Collett and Mr Bass show what they’re made of in the ERM. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The decision to withdraw from Badminton may have been hard for Laura at the time, but on reflection, she says that it was absolutely the right decision for ‘Chuck’, who will head to Luhmühlen in June for his first four-star instead.

“When I saw so many horses coming home from the cross-country tired, I knew I’d done the right thing,” she says.

This is Mr Bass’ first trip to Chatsworth, and so he’s untested over the tricky speed test of the cross country course. But this is a horse who makes a habit of finishing on his dressage score: in 11 out of his 21 internationals, he’s done exactly that, and in the 10 in which he hasn’t, three of those have been because he’s been withdrawn before the cross-country and three have been by the slimmest smattering of seconds.

The dressage multiplier is gone, Chatsworth historically precludes fast cross-country rounds, and we’re looking at one of the strongest ERM fields we’ve ever seen going into the jumping phases tomorrow. What does that mean?

It means you won’t want to take your eyes off of this combination for a moment, lest they run away with the entire competition.

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Second place going into the jumping phases was scooped by former Chatsworth winners Pippa Funnell and Sandman 7. They won the CIC3* in 2015, despite adding a reasonably significant 18 time penalties across the country – and their score there of 25.6 was bettered by their 25.4 today.

Pippa Funnell and Sandman 7 slip into second place. Photo by Libby Law Photography/Chatsworth Horse Trials.

“It’s always one of my favourite venues, Chatsworth – I hate to say it, but I came here competing 32 years ago,” laughs Pippa. “It’s where I qualified for my first Badminton, so it’s special. He feels well, and I feel well – the last couple of times I’ve been here, I’ve been recovering from setbacks – and although the spring has been hampered by cancellations, he’s had a couple of jolly runs.”

The Cadre Noir’s Thibault Vallette and Qing du Briot ENE HN lead the French offensive at Chatsworth. Photo by Anna Franklin/Event Rider Masters.

The final rider in the ring was projected to post a massive score, and though he didn’t take the lead as expected, he did manage third. Thibault Vallette and Qing du Briot ENE HN are part of a serious French offensive at Chatsworth this weekend, which sees the tricolore make up 20% of the field. They posted a 26.6 – somewhat below their usual form at the level – to the dulcet tones of Muse, who were a popular musical choice for French riders today. Thibault and Qing du Briot’s cross country record over the past year has been somewhat patchy – they picked up 20s in two of their three international runs, but managed a fast clear at the European Championships for 10th – so we would be amiss to discount them completely at this early stage.

Thibault was joined in the top ten by two of his fellow countrymen, both riding horses with whom they made headlines in the latter half of the 2017 season. Reigning 7-year-old World Champion Alertamalib’or was ridden by Astier Nicolas in the horse’s first three-star test, posting a 28.5 for ninth place overnight. Gwendolen Fer and Romantic Love, who finished their season by winning the CCI4* at Pau, slotted into tenth place today on 28.7.

“I hope I don’t go for a swim tomorrow – I went for one last week!” laughed Piggy French after her smart test with Quarrycrest Echo. They sit in fourth place overnight on a score of 27.3.

Piggy’s Badminton attempt might have ended early with that fateful swim, but she has high hopes for ‘Red’ this weekend.

“I was very pleased with him, actually. He’s come on a lot in this phase and is getting really consistent,” she says. The pair’s early season efforts were largely uninterrupted by difficult weather conditions this spring: “so he’s running really well, and he’s ready for this,” she says.

Fresh off her Badminton win, New Zealand’s Jonelle Price brings forward Faerie Dianimo for the ERM. Some off-script flamboyance precluded an early attempt at the leaderboard. Photo by Ben Clark/Event Rider Masters.

Just half a penalty point separates fifth and eighth place. These places are held overnight by Italy’s Vittoria Panizzon and Chequers Play the Game (5th, 27.7), Francis Whittington and Hasty Imp (6th and early leaders, 27.9), Ros Canter and Zenshera (7th, 28.1), and Australia’s Sammi Birch and Hunter Valley II (8th, 28.2). Having seen the effect of dressage without the multiplier at Kentucky and Badminton, it’ll be interesting to see it in action in a fast-paced, tightly bunched CIC3* – particularly one in which the top of the leaderboard boasts such experienced horse and rider combinations.

Tomorrow sees the showjumping commence at 1.00pm BST/8.00am EST, followed by the cross country at 3.30pm BST/10.30am EST. Follow along with the #ERMeventing hashtag on Twitter, and don’t forget that you can livestream the whole competition for free, regardless of your location, at eventridermasters.tv.

Fancy a preview of tomorrow’s cross-country course? Check it out in full by clicking here.

Go eventing!

Event Rider Masters @ Chatsworth: Website, Start Times, Results, Live Stream