Classic Eventing Nation

Doug Payne & Vandiver Prevail in Dramatic Carolina CIC3* Finale

By on Mar 24, 2018 7:03 pm -

Doug Payne and Vandiver. Photo by Shelby Allen.

The CIC3* at the Cloud 11~Gavilan North LLC Carolina International concluded with a dramatic cross country finale that saw Doug Payne and Debi Crowley’s Vandiver storm around as the only pair to make the optimum time and ultimately take the win on a final score of 29.6.

Doug said he has been working diligently to develop different strategies for saving time on cross country ever since the Ocala Jockey Club CIC3* in 2016, when a few too many time penalties cost him the win with Vandiver.

“I’ve been trying to figure out a way to be more efficient and not waste time setting up,” Doug said. “He helps you out a lot because he’s quite careful. He’s very smart and genuine, so you don’t have to spend that much time preparing him. You can come in a little hot, and he’s always there to help you out. I’m very lucky to have him.”

This is the first international win for Vandiver, a 14-year-old Trakehner (Windfall II X Visions of Grandeur, by Mystic Replica xx) better known as Quinn, and the second CIC3* win of Doug’s career. It certainly wasn’t easy going today, as Ian Stark’s track turned the leaderboard upside down.

“I thought (the course) was pretty stiff, but I thought it was very fair and it rewarded bold and forward riding,” Doug said. Thirty-four of 54 starters (62.9% of the field) jumped clear, with 41 starters (75.9% of the field) completing the course. For the second consecutive year only the winning horse and rider made the time.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Liz Halliday-Sharp jumped a cracking clear with 7.2 time penalties on Deborah Halliday’s Fernhill By Night to finish in second place on 35.2. Liz said after dressage that “Blackie,” a 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Radolin X Argentina XII, by Argentinus), has felt better than ever this season.

“I said 15 might be his year! It was the best he’s ever gone,” Liz said. “Great job by Doug — I don’t think I could’ve made the time today on Blackie because he needs looking after a little bit. I think that’s what he needed today — a fast round but a positive experience because I want a happy horse for another day.”

Liz finished her other ride, Deniro Z, in fourth place on 38.5 and had the save of the day at the first water. The 10-year-old KWPN (Zapatero VDL X Zonne-Trend, by French Buffet xx) owned by the Deniro Z Syndicate and Ocala Horse Properties left a leg at the big log jumping in, and Liz stuck the landing, kicked on in a neat three strides to the brush corner, and went on her way to finish clear with 9.6 time penalties.

Liz’s team has had quite a day, as they were without super groom Gemma Jelinska after Deniro Z reared up and unfortunately struck her in the face early this morning when a four-wheeler zoomed by and spooked him. Liz’s owners Rob and Chris Desino helped arrange surgery for Gemma, and Liz’s husband, Al, stayed with her at the hospital, where she was able to watch Fernhill By Night go cross country on the live stream.

“Katherine Coleman’s crew stepped in and helped us, and Stephanie Simpson and James Burtwell both saved the day,” Liz said. “We’re very lucky to have a great village around us, and I’m so grateful to everyone who helped.”

Felix Vogg and Colero. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Switzerland’s Felix Vogg and Colero, a 10-year-old Westphalian (Captain Fire X Bonita, by Bormio xx) owned by Jürgen Vogg, jumped clear with 6.0 time penalties to move up from ninth after show jumping to finish third on a final score of 37.0.

“He is pretty green, and he is already 10 but not so experienced. My plan for this year was to come (to the U.S.) to prepare him for the (World Equestrian Games) so he has a little bit more time. At home it is snowing and the shows get canceled, so I am quite happy out here,” Felix said.

“I think Ian Stark did a really good job. The questions were really clear for the horses. It was very forgiving. From the beginning on I had quite a good feeling on him. He really wanted to go. I thought first I was a little bit slow, but at the end it came out that he was actually quite fast. I could have tried a little bit more, but my first goal was to prepare him for the WEG.”

Tim Bourke and his own Luckaun Quality, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse (OBOS Quality X Colwyn Bay, by Cavalier Royale), had the second fastest round of the day, picking up 2.0 time penalties to move from 22nd after show jumping up to finish fifth on 39.3.

Lynn Symansky and Mary Ann Ghadban’s Under Suspection, a 14-year-old Holsteiner mare (Contender X Naomagic I, by Exorbitant xx), jumped clear with 11.2 time penalties, which dropped them three spots on the leaderboard to finish sixth on 39.7.

Caroline Martin and Danger Mouse. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Caroline Martin and Sherrie Martin’s Danger Mouse, a 10-year-old KWPN by Kannan, jumped clear with 6.4 time penalties to move from 15th after show jumping up to seventh on 39.9.

Doug Payne finished two of his three rides in the top 10, with Lisa Wall’s Getaway, an 11-year-old Oldenburg by Contendro, jumping clear with 8.4 time penalties in a very impressive three-star debut to finish eighth on 42.7.

Kurt Martin and DeLux Z, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Lux X Drumin Imp, by Master Imp) owned by Bill and CJ Martin, had a super clear round with 9.2 time penalties to move up from 17th to finish ninth on 43.6.

Lauren Kieffer and Team Rebecca’s Veronica, a 16-year-old KWPN mare (Pacific X Kimbel, by Ferro), jumped clear with 12.4 time penalties in preparation for a return trip to Badminton and finished 10th on 45.6.

We unfortunately had four horse falls in the CIC3*. Overnight leaders Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border fell jumping into the first water complex at fence 12A. She was transported by ambulance to a local hospital as a precaution, and officials confirmed she has no major injuries.

Katie Ruppel and Foreign Affair fell jumping into the second water complex at fence 19A when the horse left a leg. The log there was pinned with frangible technology but did not deploy. Chris Talley and Sandro’s Star fell at fence 20A, the first of two open corners. Sable Giesler and Devil Munchkin fell at fence 3, a table. All horses and riders walked away with no major injuries.

Five more riders fell in the CIC3*. Cornelia Dorr was having a super round with Louis M and unfortunately fell when he slipped going around a corner after the second water complex. Kyle Carter fell from FR’s Trust Fund at 7A, the hanging rail jumping in to the coffin. Daniela Mougel fell from Cecelia at fence 5a, the first of two angled rolltops. Sara Kozumplik Murphy fell from Rubens D’Ysieux at fence 5b, the second of the angled rolltops. Randy Ward fell from Grando at fence 12b, the brush corner in the water. All riders are reported as having no major injuries.

Click here to relive all the action in EN’s open thread. The replay of cross country will also be available to view on EQSportsNet. Stay tuned for much more from Carolina. Go Eventing.

Carolina Links: Website, Ride Times, Schedule, Live Stream, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Carolina International CIC3* Live Cross Country Updates

By on Mar 24, 2018 12:50 pm -

Doug Payne and Vandiver. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Hello from cross country day at the Cloud 11~Gavilan North LLC Carolina International! We are counting down to the start of CIC3* cross country at 1:10 p.m. EST here in Raeford, North Carolina. All of the action will stream live on EQSportsNet, and we will also be running live updates here on EN. Keep refreshing this page for updates.

Click here for a fence-by-fence preview of Ian Stark’s CIC3* course. The optimum time is 6 minutes, 51 seconds. Go Eventing.

Carolina Links: Website, Ride Times, Schedule, Live Stream, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

1:13: Our pathfinder Buck Davidson opts to take the long route at the coffin with Errol Gobey. They complete with 22.4 time penalties

1:21: Jordan Linstedt and Revitavet Capato are home clear with 19.2 time penalties.

1:23: Things not going to plan for Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. They have had runouts at the coffin at 7c and the brush corner in the first water at 12b.

1:24: Clear and 10 time penalties for Caroline Martin and The Apprentice, our winners of this class from last year.

1:27: Kylie Lyman has retired Sacramento early on course.

1:29: Jollybo slammed on the brakes at 19a, the hanging rails jumping into the second water. Hawley Bennett-Awad circled back around and is clear on second attempt.

1:37: Kyle Carter has fallen from FR’s Trust Fund at 7a, the hanging rail jumping in to the coffin. He is up and ok.

1:38: Katherine Coleman has retired Horseware Lukeswell after two refusals at fence 4a, the hanging rail at the first combination on course.

1:47: Kurt Martin and DeLux Z are home clear with 9.2 time penalties — making it look easy when it’s definitely not!

1:49: No! Cornelia Dorr was having a lovely round with Louis M, but they have sadly parted ways when the horse slipped on the flat after the final water complex.

1:52: Natalia Neneman has gone the long route at the coffin, which requires riders to go up the hill to jump a house as the C element.

1:54: Natalia has a sticky jump into the first water and has a runout at the brush in the water. She is clear over the alternate route.

2:02: Matt Flynn and Wizzerd are home clear with 33.6 time penalties.

2:05: Sara Moore and Polaris are home clear with 15.6 time penalties.

2:08: Clear with 11.2 time penalties for Waylon Roberts and Kelecyn Cognac.

2:12: Clear with 12.8 time penalties for Sharon White and Cooley On Show.

2:15: Foreign Affair slams on the brakes with Katie Ruppel at 12a, the big hanging long jumping into the first water.

2:17: Katie Ruppel and Foreign Affair fell jumping into the second water when the horse hung a leg. The log is pinned with frangible technology, but the pin did not deploy.Both are up and ok.

2:22: Caroline Martin and Danger Mouse are home clear with 6.4 time penalties — the fastest so far!

2:24: Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue d’Argouges stormed around clear with 8.4 time penalties.

2:28: Allie Knowles and Sound Prospect have had a stop jumping into the second water. Clear on second attempt.

2:33: Ellie O’Neal and RF Eloquence are home clear with 28 time penalties. No one has caught the optimum time yet.

2:36: Clear with 15.6 time penalties for Erin Sylvester and Campground.

2:38: Allison Springer and Fernhill Casano have had a runout at 4b, the log jumping down into the quarry.

2:41: Allison has had another stop on course, at 7c at the coffin, and has elected to retire.

2:42: Clear with 7.6 time penalties for Doug Payne and Getaway in the horse’s 3* debut

2:45: Kylie Lyman and Cooley Ice have picked up a runout at 12b, the brush corner in the first water.

2:56: Cornelia Dorr and Sir Patico MH pick up a runout at 12b, the brush corner in the water.

3:18: Sable Giesler and Devil Munchkin have fallen at fence 3. Both are up and ok.

3:29: Lauren Kieffer and Veronica jump clear with 12.4 time penalties.

3:30: Daniela Mougel has fallen from Cecelia at fence 5a, the first of the angled rolltops. She is up and ok.

3:32: Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z jump clear with 9.6 time penalties after one hell of a save at the first water. They take the provisional lead!

3:45: Huge bummer – Sara Kozumplik Murphy has fallen from Rubens D’Ysieux at fence 5b, the second of the angled rolltops. She is up and ok.

3:46: Tim Bourke and Luckaun Quality put three strides into the open corner combination and FLY home! Only 2.0 time penalties and he slots into second place on the leaderboard.

3:54: Felix Vogg and Colero take the lead with a clear round with 6 time penalties to take the provisional lead!

3:56: No! Chris Talley and Sandro’s Star have fallen at the first of the open corners at 20a, the very end of the course. He is up and ok.

3:59: Allison Springer has retired Lord Willing after two stops at the jump in to the second water.

4: Randy Ward has parted ways with Grando at the brush corner in the first water. He is up and ok.

4:05: Doug Payne and Vandiver are the first to make the time and take the provisional lead!

4:09: Lynn Symansky and Under Suspection jump clear with 11.2 time penalties.

4:11: Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night jump clear with 7.2 time penalties!

4:12: No! Leaders Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border have fallen jumping into the first water when the horse left a leg. They are up and ok.

Doug Payne and Vandiver are your winners in a dramatic finale. Stay tuned for the full report.

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Born in the Bluegrass

By on Mar 24, 2018 10:30 am -

If you follow any thoroughbred breeding farms on Facebook or Instagram, you’re probably delightfully inundated with adorable foals pictures this time of year. What better way brighten up what cane be a dreary Newsfeed at times than with photos of newborn foals and their mamas cuddling together in their stalls or frolicking out in turnout.

Of course, Kentucky is where the vast majority of thoroughbreds are bred and born each year and this year will be no exception. Here are former-foals born in the Bluegrass State for your consideration this week:

Photo via CANTER Kentucky.

Guitar Man (Americain – Dramatic Actress, by Theatrical (IRE)): 2014 16.1-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

This tall, dark, and handsome hunk has a very apt barn name to go along with his Jockey Club registration. “Elvis” raced just once and finished at the back of the pack. Since he didn’t show much promise on the track, his owners retired him sound right away. Now as a CANTER-owned horse, he’s been restarted under saddle, including over cross rails, but remains 2018 RRP eligible. His CANTER connections call him a sweet, fun-loving guy who loves attention and wants to please.

View Guitar Man on CANTER Kentucky.

Photo via CANTER Pennsylvania.

Nicky C (Limehouse – The Perfect Crime, by Honour and Glory): 2013 16.1-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

We don’t have a ton of information on this handsome chestnut, but we do know that he has a nice big-boned, athletic look about him. With that nice long shoulder, Nicky C sure looks like he has some potential as a future sporthorse. According to the CANTER volunteers who met him, he seems to have a good head on his shoulders as well given he stood very politely for his photoshoot on a very blustery day. Nicky C has 17 career starts with a mediocre record and his connections say he has no issues.

View Nicky C on CANTER Pennsylvania.

Photo via CANTER Kentucky.

Baytown Debutante (Corinthian – Hilda’s Legacy, by Istan): 2014 16.1-hand Kentucky-bred mare

I don’t know what this mare’s barn name is, but I’m pretty sure it should be “Queen Bay.” Well, she’s chestnut though — but that’s OK! Baytown Debutante has a flashy look about her and she’s sure to be a head-turner once she’s fed and fit. Plus, she has some regal bloodlines which include Pulpit, A.P Indy, Gone West, Seattle Slew, Alydar and Mr.Prospector. This young mare is a sound with no vices and is unraced so she’s a clean slate!

View Baytown Debutante on CANTER Kentucky.

#EventerProblems Vol. 135 from Ecovet: More Stuff Eventers Would Jump

By on Mar 24, 2018 8:39 am -

Eventers are visionaries. They see the world in a different way from their un-horsey brethren. For eventers, even the most mundane everyday object can suddenly seem full of potential … to be jumped.

Your latest examples:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BetoFj4Bi81/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf4XRmWnmI1/

Go Eventing.

Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on Mar 24, 2018 12:01 am -

Hungry? Get yourself to Barn O stalls 19 and 20 at Carolina International for some scrumptious-looking bread, muffins, and cookies (if there are any left!) We all know eventers are a resourceful bunch, and demonstrating that this weekend is Genevieve Faith who’s hosting a bake sale to help fund the recent surgery of one of her horses. Her other horse, Burned You Too (“Maggie”), was set to compete in the one-star this weekend, but wasn’t feeling quite right upon arrival so Genevieve opted to withdraw. Talk about some tough luck – hope your ponies feel better soon, Genevieve!

National Holiday: National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day

Saturday Links:

Charlotte Dujardin: why cross-country terrifies me and hard work matters

One To Watch: Ashley Kehoe Brings A Wealth Of Knowledge To Her Carolina International Return

PODCAST: USEA Classic Series Continues to Grow

Badminton Horse Trials cross-country course: all you need to know

The Evolution of Dressage Equipment

The Japanese Are Coming! Five Things We Learned from the First International Events of the European Season

Saturday Video: Don’t miss the top stadium rounds from the three- and two-stars leaders.

Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border

Kim Severson Eventing and Cooley Cross Border hold the lead in the Setters' Run Farm CIC3* at the Carolina International CIC and Horse Trial heading into tomorrow's cross country.

Posted by EQSportsNet on Friday, March 23, 2018

Will Faudree and Caeleste

After jumping a clear round this afternoon Will Faudree Eventing and Caeleste are the Attwood Equestrian Surfaces CIC2* leaders.

Posted by EQSportsNet on Friday, March 23, 2018

USEA Welcomes 2018 Eventing Hall of Fame Inductees Nina and Tim Gardner

By on Mar 23, 2018 7:20 pm -

Nina and Tim Gardner with Jennie Brannigan, Phillip Dutton, and Lynn Symansky, who have all ridden Gardner horses, at the Great Meadow International FEI Nations Cup. Photo by USEA/Leslie Mintz.

The USEA has announced Nina and Tim Gardner as its latest 2018 Hall of Fame inductees, and they are truly worthy of the honor. Their passion for and dedication to the sport shines through in all the roles they have played over the years, as owners, breeders and volunteers.

The USEA outlined some of their tremendous contributions to the sport, of which there are many, in an announcement issued this evening. They have owned a number of decorated equine athletes over the years, including their homebred House Doctor, whom Phillip Dutton rode to team gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and individual fifth at the 2002 World Equestrian Games, and two-time USEA Horse of the Year Cambalda, ridden by Jennie Brannigan to numerous three-star titles including the 2014 Fair Hill International CCI3* and the 2017 Great Meadow International FEI Nations Cup CICO3*. They have been breeding Thoroughbreds for over 40 years and are champions of the breed, both for racing and sport horse pursuits.

Their involvement in the sport runs deep: Nina was chair of the very first USEA Young Event Horse Committee that was formed in December 2004 and remains a member to this day, and Tim is co-chair of the USEA Development Committee, a member of the USEA Foundation Board, and is on the board of Fair Hill International.

The Gardners with Cambalda and Jennie Brannigan, winners of the 2014 Fair Hill International CCI3*. Photo via RedBayStock.com.

The Gardners will be honored during the 2018 USEA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which will be held in December during the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Six new members will be inducted into the USEA Hall of Fame this year. The first inductee, Kerry Millikin’s Olympic bronze medal partner Out And About, was announced yesterday. Stay tuned for the announcements of the remaining inductees! Go Eventing.

[2018 USEA’s Eventing Hall of Fame: Nina and Tim Gardner]

Will Faudree Dominates CIC2* & CIC1* at Carolina International

By on Mar 23, 2018 6:46 pm -

Will Faudree and Caeleste. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Will Faudree is dominating both the CIC2* and CIC1* at the Cloud 11~Gavilan North LLC Carolina International, leading the two-star with Jennifer Mosing’s Caeleste after show jumping and the one-star with Sarah Pyne’s Quintessential after cross country here in Raeford, North Carolina.

Nearly half of the CIC2* field — 35 of the 75 starters — jumped clear over Marc Donovan’s show jumping course to give us a 46.7% clear rate, as opposed to the more paltry 25% clear rate for the CIC3* field.

Caeleste, an 11-year-old Holsteiner mare (Contender X Happygolucky, by Lucky Lionell), is making her comeback after a lengthy period of time off recovering from bowing both of her front tendons. “Mouse” last competed at international level in 2016 and sat in second place after yesterday’s dressage on 27.4. She jumped a beautiful clear show jumping round today to take the lead after dressage leaders Clayton Fredericks and FE Bowman dropped three poles.

“She’s so happy that she’s back. She’s such a fierce competitor,” Will said. “We joke in the barn and call her Katniss Everdeen because she is a girl on fire. I’m so skeptical to say what’s next. Every round I get to do on her at this point is a bonus because I didn’t think I would get another chance.”

Will credited Dr. Meghann Lustgarten of Friendship Mobile Vet Imaging, as well as Dr. Lynn Gomes of Performance Equine and U.S. team vet Dr. Susan Johns for developing a rehabilitation plan for Mouse that allowed her to ultimately return to competing.

“I learned a valuable lesson from it: time is really the best thing,” Will said. “It’s a really humbling experience because she is such a competitor and such a fighter. She’s back here in part because of that, but largely because she wants to be back.”

Courtney Cooper and Who’s A Star. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Looking to the rest of the CIC2* leaderboard, Courtney Cooper and Who’s A Star, her homebred 15-year-old Irish/New Zealand Thoroughbred (Aberjack X Heavenly Star, by I’m A Star), jumped clear and inside the time to move from sixth up to second place in the CIC2* on their dressage score of 30.0.

Hallie Coon and Shanon Baker’s Lansdownne, a 12-year-old Thoroughbred (Partner’s Hero X Alpine Aster, by Badger Land), also left the poles in the cups to move up from seventh after dressage to third on 31.3.

Hallie Coon and Lansdownne. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Jenny Caras and Fernhill Full Throttle, her own 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Cyrano X Euro Glory, by Euro Clover), jumped clear to move from eighth up to fourth place on 31.8.

Alex O’Neal and DJ, his own 10-year-old KWPN (Warrant X Vivian, by Voltaire), also delivered a clear round inside the time to jump from ninth up to round out the top five on the leaderboard on 32.1.

Click here to view full scores in the CIC2*. CIC2* cross country will stream live on EQSportsNet starting at 9:50 a.m. EST. Click here for information on how to access the live stream.

Will Faudree and Quintessential. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Looking to the CIC1*, Ian Stark’s cross country course certainly shook things up, with only 15 combinations (18.2% of the field) making the optimum time of 5 minutes, 35 seconds. Dressage leaders Leslie Law and QC First Class picked up 2 time penalties, which opened the door for Will Faudree and Sarah Pyne’s Quintessential to take the lead on 25.6 thanks to making the time.

Will has been riding the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Vriend X Touchdown Lady, by Touchdown) since last year while Sarah spent a semester abroad.

“He’s definitely her horse, and I’ve been happy to help out,” Will said. “He’s fun to ride, and I was very happy with him today. He jumped cross country super. It was a great course; Ian did a super job. It was to the level, but it really rewarded the horse.”

Ellie MacPhail O’Neal and Zick Zack. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Ellie MacPhail O’Neal and Sally Cox’s Zick Zack, a 9-year-old Swedish Warmblood (Blue Hors Zack X Mercedes, by Master), jumped clear and inside the time to move up one spot on the leaderboard to sit in equal second place in the CIC1* on 25.7.

Boyd Martin and Denise Lahey’s Contestor, an 11-year-old KWPN (Contango X Jer’s Princess, by Killer Jer), is tied for second place, also on 25.7, with a clear round inside the time.

Boyd Martin and Contestor. Photo by Miranda Akins.

Click here to view full scores in the CIC1*. The CIC1* horse inspection will be held at 8 a.m. EST tomorrow morning, followed by show jumping at 10 a.m. EST.

Boyd Martin and Long Island T Lead Advanced

In addition to a large CIC3* division, we also have a top notch Advanced division taking place here at Carolina International, with a number of horses using this event as a prep run ahead of major spring CCI competitions.

Boyd Martin and 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, lead the Advanced after dressage on 25.2.

Kristen Bond and Liz Bond’s Enough Already, a 10-year-old KWPN ((Winningmood Van de Arenberg X Zandora, by Landor S), sit in second place on 28.1.

Buck Davidson and Park Trader, a 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Master Imp X Ballyhast Polly, by Highland King) owned by Carl and Cassie Segal, sit third on 30.5.

Click here to view full scores for the Advanced, which goes cross country at 4:15 p.m. EST tomorrow following the conclusion of CIC3* cross country.

(The Advanced division completed dressage today on the other side of the venue during CIC3* and CIC2* show jumping. Considering technology has not yet advanced to the point where I am able to teleport or clone myself, coverage of the Advanced division and other National divisions is sorely lacking. Please accept my sincerest apologies. May the eventing gods have mercy on my soul.)

Thank you for following along with all of EN’s coverage from Carolina International. Go Eventing!

Carolina Links: Website, Ride Times, Schedule, Live Stream, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Friday Video from World Equestrian Brands: One Hump or Two?

By on Mar 23, 2018 6:14 pm -

I wish I could make a hump-day joke.

Happy Friday, dear readers. And what a Friday it is: Kim Severson is merrily smashing records at Carolina, eventing has actually managed to go ahead without any cancellations in the UK, and all of the Monty Python films are about to be added to Netflix, so we all have an excuse to prance around like loonies while smashing coconut halves together. Blissful.

Your Friday video, so kindly brought to you by World Equestrian Brands, is something a little bit different today. That’s because it’s the fulfilling of a promise I made to you all long ago, in the shadowy depths of 2017, when I was merely a contender in the seriously high-stakes Eventing Nation Blogger Contest. I got my claws out. I pulled my trump card. I told you about the camels.

‘What camels?’ I hear you murmur from the back. ‘What is she talking about? Who is this person, and where is my Friday video?’ You are adorable when you play coy. Get comfortable, and allow me to tell you all about my first international of 2017…

Andrew Nicholson at Burnham Market. Photo courtesy of the Burnham press office.

Picture it: a cluster of eventers and their mums are perched atop a hill on the Norfolk coast. There’s a handful of eventing fans amongst them, because people who like eventing are insane, and team GB chef d’equipes Dickie Waygood and Chris Bartle, zooming in circles on their bicycles, looking like mildly deranged (and colour-coordinated) collie dogs herding their parka-clad victims. The wind is blowing at approximately 860 miles per hour, threatening to pick everyone up and deposit them merrily into the sea. Some horses are probably also running around and jumping over things. I wouldn’t know, because I am on the side of the hill feeling very nervous.

Nervous about what, you ask? Not nervous about the fact that Oliver Townend has nearly galloped straight over the top of me and then reappeared a few minutes later to ask me if I happen to have any black tape on hand (NB: if I ever post something that just says ‘COPENHAGEN’, I’ve been kidnapped – please mobilise the troops). Not nervous about the fact that I’ve just accidentally made eye contact with an elderly Lord whilst hastily changing in the back of my Peugeot, because that’s just life in the British eventing scene. Nope, I’m nervous because at some point over the winter I went completely stir-crazy and agreed to take part in a camel race to raise essential funds for the region’s extremely busy – and extremely valuable – air ambulance service. And today, on this fine, hurricane-y day at Burnham Market International, is the day I have to make good on my agreement.

Have you ever been close to a camel? I mean really close – within spitting radius? They are ENORMOUS. Like a 22hh behemoth of rage and wonkiness and pom-pom encrusted tack. I had to sign a disclaimer agreeing not to sue if I died in a horrifying and violent manner, and I had to take out specialist extreme sports insurance for the day, which, I discovered, also insured me for a rather marvellous sport called ‘dirt surfing.’ I think that’s just another name for the particular brand of eventing that I partake in, but I digress.

Yes, I wore a stock to race a camel.

I’m never sure if it’s comforting or highly concerning when very accomplished riders harbour the same fears as you, but fellow dirt-surfers Lissa Green, Jonty Evans, and Laura Collett were looking a bit green, too. I mean, Jonty always looks green, because he has to make up for the fact that he’s the most belligerently English-sounding man in the world by plastering himself and everything he touches with shamrocks, but he didn’t look wildly confident, either.

Our small group – a cluster of normal people, and the three nut-jobs who jump over trucks for fun – were split into heats and assigned camels according to our experience. I was given the four-year-old who, I was told “bucks – and doesn’t steer”, which made me feel miles better about the entire experience, frankly. You’ll see him merrily terrorising another hapless rider by refusing to let her get on in the following video.

Jonty Evans takes up a second career as a camel wrangler. Jonty is about the same height as a moderately-sized building, to give you some idea of the height of the creature he’s sitting on.

Jonty’s heat went first, and despite somehow looking rather graceful on a camel – probably because he’s also about 22h – he got thoroughly trounced. Then it was my turn. There were no practice runs, I hasten to add. Not a quiet moment to get used to the feeling of getting on the rage-beast and maybe meandering around a bit. Nope. The entire event was paused, so every single mad person on site was clustered around to watch (Dickie and Bartle were still merrily cycling in circles, their tiny bicycles squeaking away like budget church bells portending my imminent death and/or dirt-surfing), the camels plonked themselves on the floor, and we were expected to pull our big girl knickers up and get on with it. Ugh.

Believe me when I say mounting and dismounting a camel is the worst thing about it. They lie down – although they don’t always stay down – and you have to wedge yourself in between their humps without startling them, offending them, accidentally jabbing them in the ribs, or taking longer than the allocated 0.4 seconds to do so. Then, they lurch upwards, front end first, until your head is at the upper edges of the ozone layer. If you think you can grab hump to stabilise yourself, surprise! They wobble. In fact, a camel is pretty much just wobble, from top to bottom. Nothing moves as it ought to. Also, they sometimes get back down again, with no warning, and double wobble.

Pictured: no control, but some impressively wind-swept camel locks.

A lifetime of learning how to manoeuvre a horse in a sort-of straight line means nothing when you race a camel. They go exactly where they want to go, exactly when they want to go there, and using exactly the route that they deem most appropriate. They veer and crash into one another and I’m sure their entire ribcage is just on a spin cycle the whole time they’re moving. You begin to fear for the safety of your kneecaps. This is a long, roundabout way of saying that I lost. Lissa Green beat me and I have held a grudge ever since. Later in the day, I volunteered myself again, because apparently I wanted to combine the sensations of riding a barrel down Niagara Falls and a backwards lunge lesson, and then Bill bloody Levett beat me, too. Although he nearly got himself bucked off in the process, which will forever remain one of my most precious memories.

That night, the cold sting of defeat propelled me home, and I realised that after two months of fundraising, I could no longer think in anything but tenuous camel puns. Sometimes, you have to accept these things, and so I put on my most soothing car playlist – Smooth as Salted Camel – and trundled back down to the south, where people are normal and ride feral Irish horses instead. I still listen to that playlist, just to test the sticking power of my hump-related PTSD. It’s sticking well, thanks for asking.

So there you have it – the story of my first ride at an international. Just in time for the advent of Burnham Market, which begins next week, and at which I shall stay very much earthbound. Unless, of course, the opportunity to finally beat Lissa Green happens to arise…

Camel racing at horse trials! Yes indeed, Malcolm went along to Burnham Market where they're doing novelty races in aid of East Anglian Air Ambulance. More here –> http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2017-04-16/novelty-event-sees-thousands-raised-for-air-ambulance/

Posted by ITV Anglia on Sunday, April 16, 2017

I thought it would be just like riding a youngster- send it forward and let it run underneath you!

Posted by Bill Levett eventing on Saturday, April 15, 2017

All Clear for Kim Severson & Cooley Cross Border in Carolina CIC3*

By on Mar 23, 2018 1:49 pm -

Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border. Photo by Jenni Autry.

After throwing down the gauntlet in dressage this morning at the Cloud 11~Gavilan North LLC Carolina International, Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border jumped a beautiful clear round over Marc Donovan’s show jumping course to hold the CIC3* lead on their record-breaking score of 20.8.

Cooley Cross Border, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by the Cross Syndicate (Diamond Roller X Whos Diaz, by the Cross Syndicate), is gearing up for a return trip to Kentucky CCI4* and has been on form all season thus far, most recently finishing third in the Advanced at Pine Top.

Kim said she has been jumping with new USEF Eventing Performance Director Erik Duvander, and he has offered several key pieces of advice, such as using a placing pole in warm-up to get the horse thinking a bit more. “For me (Erik is) really good because he doesn’t try to change too much … As far as jumping goes, we don’t mess with that part too much because that’s just how (Cross) is.”

Fourteen of the 56 combinations in the CIC3* (25% of the field) jumped clear rounds inside the time over Marc’s course, with the time allowed of 79 seconds proving tough to make. Eight combinations jumped clear rounds but accumulated 1 or more time penalty. The CIC3* here trends towards 33% of the field jumping clear, according to EquiRatings, so the course proved especially challenging this year.

 

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deborah Halliday’s Fernhill By Night, a 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Radolin X Argentina XII, by Argentinus), jumped clear with 1 time penalty to hold second place on 28.0.

“(Marc) had a few lines that tempted you into riding it a certain way and caught people out,” Liz said. “He always builds a really good course and makes the time tight, which forces people to get a bit out of their comfort zone.”

Pairs who jumped clear rounds inside the time were rewarded with big jumps up the leaderboard. Lynn Symansky and Mary Ann Ghadban’s Under Suspection, a 14-year-old Holsteiner mare (Contender X Naomagic I, by Exorbitant xx), jumped a lovely clear to move from sixth up to third place on 28.5.

“It’s the first proper track I’ve jumped with her,” Lynn said. “I’m still getting to know her a bit. We’ve done a few horse trials this spring in Florida. I thought she jumped really well (after being) a bit hot in warm-up.”

Lynn Symansky and Under Suspection. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Liz Halliday-Sharp has both of her horses sitting in the top five thanks to a super clear round with Deniro Z. The 10-year-old KWPN (Zapatero VDL X Zonne-Trend, by French Buffet xx) owned by the Deniro Syndicate and Ocala Horse Properties moved from equal ninth up to fourth place on 28.9.

Doug Payne and Debi Crowley’s Vandiver, a 14-year-old Trakehner (Windfall II X Visions of Grandeur, by Mystic Replica xx), showed off their show jumping skills by slicing and dicing across the course, delivering one of the fastest clears of the day to move from 12th to fifth on 29.6.

We are cheering extra loudly this weekend for Randy Ward, who has returned to the three-star level after a 15-year hiatus. He delivered a stunning test this morning with Donald Devine’s Grando, a 9-year-old Westphalian (Grasco X Queen Live, by Quo Vados I) to sit seventh after dressage, and added 1 time penalty in show jumping to move to sixth on 29.8.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z. Photo by Jenni Autry.

It’s a big weekend for Allison Springer, as she has two horses stepping up to the three-star level for the first time here at Carolina. Lord Willing, a 10-year-old Holsteiner (Lord Z X Legende IX, by Coriano) owned by the Lord Willing Syndicate, jumped clear and inside the time to move from 13th up to seventh on 30.5.

Chris Talley is having a cracking weekend with Hannah Salazar’s Sandro’s Star in the stallion’s three-star debut. After a competitive dressage yesterday to sit inside the top 15, Chris piloted the 10-year-old Oldenburg (Sagnol X Poetic Patter xx, by Nostalgia’s Star xx) to a dazzling clear to move up to eighth place on 30.6.

Switzerland’s Felix Vogg is based in the States through the spring to compete at the World Equestrian Games test event at Tryon in two weeks, and he is making a case that his mount Colero is one to watch. The 10-year-old Westphalian (Captain Fire X Bonita, by Bormio xx) owned by Jürgen Vogg left all the poles in the cups to move from 15th up to ninth on his dressage score of 31.0.

Doug Payne and Vandiver. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Sara Kozumplik Murphy and Rubens D’Ysieux, a 13-year-old Selle Francais (Balougran X Silver Shadow, by Mr Blue) also delivered a clear round inside the time to move from 18th up to round out the top 10 on 31.7. (We also have to send a special shout out to Sara’s four-star partner Fly Me Courageous, who is back out competing in the CIC2* at Carolina this weekend. Welcome back, Ziglet!)

In addition to the pairs already named, the following combinations added no penalties in show jumping: Buck Davidson and Copper Beach, 11th; Caroline Martin and Danger Mouse, 15th; Kurt Martin and DeLux Z, 17th; Sable Giesler and Devil Munchkin, 19th; Tim Bourke and Luckaun Quality, 22nd; and Allison Springer and Fernhill Casano, 28th.

Randy Ward and Grando. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We sadly have to note that Lynn Symansky and Donner jumped a fantastic clear round but unfortunately missed fence 11 to result in a technical elimination. They will next compete at The Fork CIC3* before going on to Kentucky CCI4* for the ninth four-star of their storied partnership.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s cross country, our top three all agreed Ian Stark’s track is a serious fitness test and time will be tight, as it always is here. Three of the last four runnings of the CIC3* have seen no more than three pairs make the time, and last year only the winners, Caroline Martin and The Apprentice, caught the time.

“There are a lot of ditches,” Kim noted. “I think it’s going to be a bit more of a fitness test than it has been in the past because we have that big pull up the hill backwards.” Click here for a fence-by-fence preview of the CIC3* course.

We have to send a massive thank you to the organizers, officials, volunteers and everyone who is working hard behind the scenes to make Carolina International the premier event of the spring season.

Lynn Symansky said it best: “It’s really nice as a rider to know they are doing everything they possibly can with your feedback every year. That’s why it’s such a huge event and the divisions are so big. They really do such a good job to make it the best event they possibly can.”

CIC3* cross country will stream live on EQSportsNet starting at 1:10 p.m. EST. Click here for information on how to access the live stream. Click here to catch up on all of EN’s coverage from Carolina International so far. Go Eventing.

Carolina Links: Website, Ride Times, Schedule, Live Stream, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

This report has been updated with quotes from the top three riders.

Watch Kim Severson’s Record-Breaking Carolina Dressage Test

By on Mar 23, 2018 9:49 am -

Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border absolutely knocked it out of the park this morning at the Cloud 11~Gavilan North LLC Carolina International in Raeford, North Carolina, scoring 20.8 to lead the CIC3* at the conclusion of dressage.

The score of 20.8 is the equivalent of a 31.2 under former FEI scoring and smashes the previous dressage record of 27.0 (40.5) set by Jan Byyny and Inmidair in the first running of the CIC3* at this event in 2014. You can watch a video of the test above thanks to David Frechette.

Cooley Cross Border, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by the Cross Syndicate (Diamond Roller X Whos Diaz, by the Cross Syndicate), is competing in his first international since winning Blenheim CCI3* last autumn, and Kim said he has come out this season feeling more mature.

“I was especially happy with the trot work,” she said. “He can sometimes be unsteady in the bridle in the trot. He got a little tiny bit tense in the canter work where I didn’t have him quite as well as I have, but I really can’t fault him.”

Kim said new USEF Eventing Performance Director Erik Duvander has been very helpful as an extra set of eyes on the ground to fine-tune Crossy’s performance in the first phase. She has also been training with former British eventing dressage coach Tracie Robinson.

The top three in the CIC3* at the conclusion of dressage are Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border in first on 20.8, Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night in second on 27.0, and Buck Davidson and Carlevo in third on 27.8.

CIC3* show jumping starts at 10 a.m. EST and will stream live on EQSportsNet. Marc Donovan’s show jumping course always proves extremely influential at Carolina, and every winner in CIC3* history of this event has jumped clear in show jumping.

If you haven’t yet previewed Ian Stark’s beefy cross country course for the CIC3*, click here to take a fence-by-fence tour of the track, which runs in a reverse direction this year. Click here to read EN data analyst Maggie Deatrick’s full analysis of the CIC3* field — we predicted Crossy to win!

Stay tuned for much more from Carolina. Go Eventing.

Carolina Links: Website, Ride Times, Schedule, Live Stream, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter