Classic Eventing Nation

“The Most In-Sync We’ve Ever Been”: Emily King Becomes First Back-to-Back Grantham Cup Winner

By on Mar 30, 2024 7:13 pm -

Buckle up! Emily King and Valmy Biats take the scenic route over the bank complex at 11ABC en route to a second consecutive Grantham Cup win. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

After a long, reasonably challenging day of cross-country (that’s 31 clears from 40 starters, if specificity is your bag) at Thoresby’s Spring Carnival of Eventing, we crowned a new winner of the prestigious Grantham Cup CCI4*-S – or, rather, an old winner, all over again. 2023 champions Emily King and 15-year-old Selle Français Valmy Biats retained their title after tying for first place in dressage on a score of 23.2 – the gelding’s best-ever FEI dressage score – and then adding just 6.4 time penalties across the country today, following a clear showjumping round this morning.

For Emily, who’s now the first-ever rider to win the Grantham Cup twice in succession, and who once again won the Polly Phillips Memorial Trophy for the highest-placed British rider not to have competed on a Senior team, it wasn’t just a great honour to retain the throne – it was also a heartening preparation for her forthcoming bid at Badminton.

“He was unreal – it was the smoothest, easiest, most in-sync round I think I’ve ever had with him,” she says. “Normally he’s quite lairy and really brave and strong, and you have to really set up for everything. I have to really plan stuff and think about the balance. I had it all planned to do everywhere today, but I actually didn’t have to, because he was doing it on his own. I was like, ‘god, this is nice!’ I didn’t press him, I just let him gallop.”

Emily King and Valmy Biats. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Although Valmy was at his most rideable on course – a course, it’s worth noting, that was widely regarded as Thoresby’s toughest effort yet – Emily didn’t have that feeling from the first moment she got on. Instead, she had to use her warm-up wisely to get him well on side.

“It’s funny, because in the warm-up he felt pretty difficult,” she laughs. “He didn’t feel particularly different to normal. He’s so brave and sometimes you just have to gallop to something and really think for him. But when I went out of the start box, I could move him up and he was looking at the fence, not through it, and actually weighing it up — I could set it up rather than just gallop.”

Emily used his malleability as an educational tool around the course: “I thought, as I had just done the first combination, I’d let him be a little. He was a little bit close to the brush but I thought, rather than helping him, I’d leave him alone so he had to work a touch harder. Then he really was thinking for himself. That [approach] doesn’t always go to plan, but it worked quite nicely for everything else.”

Emily and Valmy negotiate the bounce bank at 11ABC. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Valmy’s one moment of crowd-pleasing excitement on course came at the new Irish bank complex at 11ABC, where he took an enormous leap off the brush drop B element.

“He was a good boy at the step, because I wanted to jump a bit on the outside line so I had fresher ground,” Emily explains. “I thought then, jumping the step we wouldn’t land in so much of a hole – but then, actually, it was quite a moving four strides to the bank. I should probably have actually waited for a fifth stride and kept further out, but then I don’t know what he did, but he certainly did it! He sort of skipped over the top and then cat leapt off, and I was like, ‘please land!’ and then he did. He was just awesome everywhere; he felt really on it and cool and calm, not too nervy and lairy, and he just felt like he’s getting relaxed with going at that speed, which is good.”

Emily King (and entourage!) accept the Polly Phillips Memorial Trophy from Vere Phillips.

Emily and Valmy are the only combination ever to win the Grantham Cup twice in a row – and Emily attributes part of the gelding’s affinity for the venue with his comfort in dealing with tricky spring going.

“He really doesn’t mind the mud at all — he lives out in the field basically the whole time, and even when it’s really wet, really rainy, really muddy, he just has extra rugs on and he lives out,” she explains. “So he’s used to that, and then we also gallop on the grass even when it’s deeper, we just go a bit slower. I wonder whether that’s just a thing at this time of year – it’s always gonna be wet here, and everyone else has to be a touch more cautious because their horses’ legs aren’t acclimatised yet to the going. But he is because that’s where he works the most, in that going, so I wonder if it’s just that I feel it’s less daunting to run on a bit deeper going with him.”

Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Ireland’s Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue surprised absolutely nobody by delivering the fastest round of the day – a scant 15 seconds, or 6 time penalties over the optimum time, which boosted them up to second place from thirteenth on their first-phase score of 30.4.

“He’s not put a foot wrong, really – he was good in the dressage, with one or two little improvements to be made, but not far off,” says Austin. But cross-country, as always, was where ‘Salty’ truly shone.

“He jumped well today, and was quick, but he’s a quick horse. I can’t ride him slow, and if it was perfect conditions he’d gallop around inside the time all day long. He’s just so nifty, but I wanted to look after him towards the end when [the ground] got a bit deep. It’s just great to carry on the feeling from last year – we know he’s on good form, and he’s loving it.”

Salty’s season opener comes off the back of a win in the CCI5* at Maryland, where Austin became the first Irish five-star winner in 58 years – and his exceptional horse proved exactly the kind of classic stayer he is.

“He came out of Maryland so well, he could nearly have gone to Pau the next week,” he laughs. “And now he’s come out of the winter better again.”

Making history for Ireland, too, is no small confidence booster for Austin and his compatriots in this crucial year.

“You’d like to think success breeds success. It gives you know when it gives myself the belief, but it also gives everybody else thereabouts the belief that we can really go and do it,” he says. “Sure, you need a bit of luck and things have got to go right, but I think we’ve got a good squad of riders, and we’ve got a good team around us now. I think it’s all working.”

With Paris firmly at the top of his priority list, Austin’s opting out of a spring long-format run, and instead maintaining Salty’s fitness and training using short-format runs: “probably, thinking out loud here, he’ll run the short at Bramham [in June],” he says. And, he says, he plans to fit in some dressage shows throughout the spring, too, in a bid to make those marginal gains in the first phase.

“You’ve got to improve everything all the time; we’re certainly not resting on our laurels,” he says. “If he goes to Paris, he’s got to be fit, and he’s got to be well, and so we’ll certainly have a programme, it just won’t be quite as intense as it could be.”

Beginning his season proper on a beefed up Thoresby track has been an ideal box-ticker, explains Austin.

“It was a true four-star, and I’m sure the results from the results page will tell that story. And rightly so — so hats off to Thoresby. They’ve put on some show considering what they’ve been up against. But they put their neck on the line and I think they got the results they deserved — and this is what eventing is all about. I think we’ve got to be careful not to forget that.”

Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Though reigning World Champions Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir began the day tied for the lead, they ultimately settled for third place when opting for a slightly steadier preparation run, with 13.2 time penalties, ahead of their bid at Kentucky supremacy in a few weeks.

“He did a lovely test yesterday and then jumped a great, quick clear round today,” says Yas. “He was trying really hard for me. With him, there’s a bigger picture this year, and it’s always building up to that point. It’s all about progression, and about building the confidence together. It’s early doors, but I’m delighted — it’s been a really good weekend.”

Like many riders in the UK, getting the season well and truly underway hasn’t been totally straightforward for Yas, with prolific cancellations and abandonments across the calendar in the first month of the season.

“It’s nice to get the run under their belts,” she says. “We’ve all been itching, really, for runs, and the weather has just not been helpful. But the sun’s finally come out today, and the ground was mostly good, with just a couple of soft patches where I looked after them. But all the jumping was brilliant; it was a very testing track, with lots of interesting questions, and lots of new questions that we haven’t seen before.”

Like Austin, Yas praised the Thoresby team for delivering a serious rust-knocker of a course.

“It was actually nice to have a bit of a mix-up and a bit of a head scratcher. There were lots of options everywhere, so you could do whatever suited your horse and really ride what’s underneath you.”

Tim Price and Vitali through the influential corner complex, moments after being held just before it. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Tim Price took fourth place with Badminton-bound Vitali, who added 9.6 time penalties to his first-phase score of 27.2, and ninth place with his 2022 Boekelo champion Happy Boy, who added a rail and 12 time penalties to his 27.8 – but in the secondary CCI4*-S section, for lesser-pointed horses, he was victorious, piloting the ten-year-old Jarillo, who now sits comfortably on four top-ten four-star results in a row out of five starts at the level.

But, says Tim, winning with him today on 19.2 time penalties “was a bit strange, because I just wanted to give him an educational round, and with the other two, I was really trying! I wanted Happy Boy to go fast for a fitness run, and with Vitali, I really thought he could have gone a bit quicker, but I got held, which disrupted the rhythm a bit.”

Tim’s hold came just one fence before the influential treble of corners at 9ABC, and was due to a surprise fall for Pippa Funnell, who tumbled from Billy Walk On at the complex just moments before, but who we’re pleased to report was back on her feet after a check-over by medics at the fence.

“It wasn’t an ideal place to be held, but really, we’re just pleased Pippa’s alright,” says Tim. Despite the hold, though, his primary objective – giving Vitali a proper pipe-opening run ahead of Badminton – was well accomplished.

“I pushed him on and galloped him through deep ground and did all the things that make him puff – it was a really good run for that,” he says. “And the hold was early enough — what wouldn’t have been ideal would have been a hold halfway round with enough time to fully recover.”

Tim Price and Happy Boy. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Perhaps most excitingly was Vitali’s clear showjumping round – the phase that has been his ongoing bogey with three rails down at each of his five-star starts, but which didn’t put a dampener on his performance this week despite the relocation of the jumping to a new, smaller, and more undulating patch of ground that Ros Canter described as ‘like cross-country over showjumps’.

“I hope I’m not using up all my clear rounds before they really matter,” he laughs. “He’s trying, he’s just a strange little horse with a whole lot of talent and abilities. I’m trying, with the showjumping, to attack it and be bit more positive, not all defensive. When you’re on a really good jumper, you sit there and think rhythm, and smoothness, and all those things. With him, I think I need to be a bit more disruptive and take it on a bit — that’s my plan, anyway!”

Laura Collett and London 52. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Laura Collett and London 52 took fifth place, adding 14.4 time penalties across the country and nothing in the showjumping to a first-phase score of 23.9 – and while that first phase wasn’t quite up to Laura’s own high standards, the feeling she got on today’s course far overrode any disappointment she may have had when leaving the ring yesterday.

“He was lovely, and very up for it,” says Laura, who also finished seventh on Hester. “It’s just so nice getting on one you know that well. It was almost like [London 52] had walked the course, it was that smooth. He’s finally grown up from fighting and thinking he knows best, and now he’s like, ‘you tell me where to go, and I’ll go,’ which is so nice. He feels amazing, and he’s been squealing all weekend, but it was probably one of the nicest easiest rides I’ve ever had on him, because he just literally just felt like he was on railway tracks.”

As one of the last riders in the Grantham Cup, Laura had to contend with well-travelled ground – but ‘Dan’s’ rideability meant that she could choose the lines that best avoided the overworked areas.

“I went on some rogue parts of the course to find the best ground – I went very wide,” she laughs. “But actually, it rode fine; the last bit was a bit deep, but it was nice to get them out. It’s been so long!”

Above all, Laura was delighted to get the chance to tackle a sufficiently challenging early-season four-star track.

“I thought it was a great course, and I was actually praying that the ground would be alright [so I’d get to ride it], because we actually had to ride – not just go through the motions, but actually ride the lines and the horses had to be focused.”

It is, by Laura’s reckoning, “by far” the toughest Thoresby course that’s been presented – something that she, and her fellow competitors, view as an overwhelming positive.

“I think it’s great. For a couple of years we’ve missed a proper Badminton prep; Belton always used to be so good for that. Here, there’s nothing big, but we all know our horses are scopey, so it’s about having proper questions that make us ride. What’s so good is that we were all scratching our heads over several places on the course, but everything worked; all the different options worked, so you just had to make a decision.”

Those influential corners were the frontrunner among those headscratchers, closely followed by the new bank complex at 11ABC.

“We were all going to go on four strides, and then we watched a few and said, ‘okay, it can be four or five’,” she says. “You could make the decision as you landed, but you did have to react — and that was good for me and my horses, because you can’t practice those reactions in training.”

Ros Canter and Izilot DHI pop down the new bank complex at 11ABC. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

All three of Ros Canter‘s rides in this class enjoyed a sterling day in the office, and chief among them was last year’s Blenheim CCI4*-L and Pau CCI5* winner, and day one dressage leader, Izilot DHI, who took sixth place after adding 14 time penalties to his first-phase score of 25.6.

“Izilot was a superstar; he’s come out so level-headed this year,” says Ros, who explains that she’s spent the off-season dialling back the Pau winner’s schooling in a bit to ‘break the habit’ of his characteristic spookiness. “He feels like a different horse. We’ve been training, but only away from home, and spend a lot more time hacking, because he’s a lovely hack. I don’t mind him being spooky, but when he’s sharp with his spook, it makes it very difficult. So I’ve been very mellow with it; if he spooks out hacking I just drop the reins, because I’m not schooling, and so it doesn’t matter. That’s just made him lose the habit of needing to fly.”

Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Ros also finished twelfth with her Badminton champion and European Champion Lordships Graffalo, who had an uncharacteristic rail in the relocated showjumping – “it was rider error, and it’s nice to be able to say that, rather than it being a horse mistake” – and thirteenth with the inexperienced MHS Seventeen.

“We had to get stuck in – I think we’re all a bit out of the habit,” says Ros. “My horses felt great, but the rider was a bit rusty! But it was great to have a spin on the big boys.”

Alice Casburn and Topspin. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Eighth place went to Alice Casburn, who had one of the fastest rounds of the day, adding just 7.6 time penalties with her homebred five-star partner, Topspin, while the top ten was ably rounded out by Tom Rowland in his second season with the former Oliver Townend mount Dreamliner, with whom he added 11.2 time penalties to a 32.7 first-phase score.

For those horses who’d already picked up their CCI4*-S and CCI4*-L or CCI5* Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) last season, and who managed a CCI4*-S MER today, that’s a major box ticked en route to the Olympics – because they’ll now be totally qualified. As MERs simply involve scoring 45 or below in dressage, 30 or fewer time penalties at this level across the country (clear or with a single 11 penalty addition for a frangible activation), and 16 or fewer jumping penalties in showjumping, that sees quite a lot of newly-minted totally-qualified horses on the pathway to Paris, including nine-tenths of our top ten – Tim Price’s Happy Boy still needs a long-format qualifying result.

But, of course, there’s still an awful lot of time, and events, yet to go before we reach team selection time – including the CCI4*-S at Burnham Market and Kentucky’s CCI5* and CCI4*-S just next month, and, of course, Badminton approaching swiftly thereafter. And so, until the next one: Go Eventing.

The top ten at the culmination of the 2024 Grantham Cup.

The Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby: Website | Live Scores | Live Stream | EN’s Coverage

Smith, Hoffos, McIver and Holland Win FEI Divisions at Galway Downs International

By on Mar 30, 2024 10:45 am -

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Horses and riders were undaunted by the condensed schedule mandated by Saturday’s heavy rain forecast. They embraced an unusually busy day of competition to close out the Galway Downs International Horse Trials with super sport and high spirits.

The CCI4*-S concluded as predicted. Tamie Smith and Mai Baum jumped clear and careful, with only a few time faults on cross-country. They retained their dominant lead after a 23 dressage score and double clean show jumping on Thursday.

The 18-year-old German Sport Horse was raring to go. “He was happy to be out of the start box, and pretty wild out there,” Tamie said of her longtime star owned by Alexandra Ahearn. The finish was perfect prep for the next phase in their hopeful Paris Olympic journey – the CCI4*-S at the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event in late April.

Young rider Molly Duda and Disco Traveler continued an impressive ascent in the sport, finishing 2nd in their 4* debut. They were third after dressage, dropped a rail in show jumping, then roared across cross-country as the only pair to make the time over Clayton Fredericks’ track.

A freshman at UCLA, Molly left the gate determined to make the time. “He’s the best cross-country horse I’ve ever ridden and I know I can open him up out there and have him come back to me. We’re both very competitive and we had a blast out there.”

Doing the U21 and U25 training camps over the winter built on the super successes this pair had last year. Molly also credited show jumping work with Tamie Smith and dressage coaching from Robyn Fisher as key to their continued rise.

Molly was also 4th in the 3* with a newer horse, Carlingfords Hes A Clover, a 12 year old Irish Sport Horse. “Tommy” lives in the Bay Area with Mickayla Howard, who brought Molly up to the 3* level. Juggling a pre-med academic track, Molly is a time management master. “I compete and go to college full time. Both are really important to me. It’s a lot, but I love it!”

Rebecca Farm CCI4*-L is the next big goal for Molly and Disco Traveler, a 15-year-old Swedish Warmblood.

Bec Braitling was thrilled to finish third with Arnell Sporthorse’s Caravaggio II, a 13-year-old British Sport Horse. They are prepping for the Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L after gathering useful experience campaigning in Europe last summer. Today’s finish adds to their reserve champion result in the CCI4*-L at Galway Downs last fall.

Pace was Bec’s priority on cross-country. Incurring only 1.6 time penalties allowed them to move up from 6th after dressage to third. And that was even with a new noseband that gave the California-based Australian “more whoa than I wanted.”

Bec loved the track built by fellow Aussie, Clayton Fredericks. “I thought it would ride more twisty. But it was smooth and really fun to ride.”

She liked the re-shuffled schedule, too, with 4*-S dressage and show jumping on Thursday. “It makes it busy, but I loved being able to work on the fitness aspect of it for him.”

Emilee Libby and Toska added 10.8 cross-country time penalties to their dressage score to land 4th overall.

A rising star in Tamie Smith’s string, Kynan, finished 5th and felt “incredible, strong and so rideable,” she said. Another of Tamie’s mounts, Elliot V, had a tougher day — falling from 4th after show jumping, to elimination with three cross-country refusals. At the end of the day, Tamie said the 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood is probably telling her that 3* is his happy place.

Hoffos & Regalla Top the 3*

Taren Hoffos and Regalla. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Taren Hoffos and Regalla accomplished important goals in logging a wire-to-wire win of the CCI3*-S. This pair won the CCI2*-S in 2022, the CCI3*-S last year and this year they defended their title by finishing on their dressage score — a 32 — and under the cross-country time allowed for the first time at this level.

“Riding a smooth track, taking good lines and trusting her that I don’t need to set her up as much as I might think I do,” were keys to their winning effort, Taren said.

The forward mentality started with dressage. “Bec Braitling and I have been talking about FEI trends toward judges really wanting to see you ride forward – to put your hands forward and go. And I think that carries over.”

Show jumping has been “a struggle” in the past, but it was double clear over Marc Donovan’s route today. Taren had ridden in the Ingrid Klimke clinic here in December, where a crowd of 800 auditors buzzed the already electric Grand Prix Arena vibe. Taren thought the exposure contributed to Regalla’s focus in the same ring this morning for show jumping. “It was really valuable to ride in that atmosphere and that kind of pressure, but in a fun and positive way.”

Next on the 13-year-old Oldenburg mare’s agenda is moving up to Advanced at Twin Rivers in April.

Megan McIver and Elle, a 12-year-old Holsteiner, stayed on their 32.7 dressage to finish second. Bred by owner Tally Chang, the 15.3-hand mare is 70% Thoroughbred and “loves” cross-country, Megan explained.

“I could barely keep her in the start box she because was bouncing around with excitement,” said Megan. Once out of the box, they easily made the time to finish a close second. Elle goes in a snaffle, and “barely needs a touch to bring her back,” Megan said. “I never have to look at my watch to know she’s making the time.”

Elle’s sensitivity made dressage a challenge in the early days of their partnership. Megan credits Tamie Smith with coaching that clicked for the dressage court, plus ongoing work with Anke Herbert at her Northern California base. The Advanced Combined Test at Twin Rivers will be next for Elle. “She’s feeling like the 3* is too easy!”

Auburn Excell Brady and Galliard Lancer proved themselves a new pair to reckon with. They stayed on their 34.2 dressage to finish third.

McIver & Igor B Top the Parker Equine Insurance CCI2*-S

Megan McIver and Igor. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

All three phases of the Parker Equine Insurance CCI2*-S and the CCI1*-S took place today.

After two phases in the 3* with Elle, Megan McIver turned to a newer ride, Igor B, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood, for this division. They moved up one rung with each phase to win on a 31.7.

Igor came from the U.K. with 4* experience, purchased by Leo Wang help Megan pursue her international goals. They first ran Training Level at Twin Rivers three weeks ago, then felt fine to advance to the 2* here. “But I didn’t expect to win!”

Young rider Hanni Sreenan and Ebenholtz were tied for 6th after their 28.4 dressage, then went clear in stadium and added 3.6 time penalties to finish 2nd. The result keeps this pair in the news after their USEF CCI2*-L National Championship and USEF Young Rider CCI2*-L National Championships at the Eventing Championships at Galway Downs in November.

Amber Birtcil and the 7-year-old Dutch Warmblood Mississippi went double clear on show jumping and cross-country to leap into 3rd place.

Holland and Joshua Tree Win the CCI1*-S

Fiona Holland and Joshua Tree. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Fifteen-year-old Fiona Holland and Joshua Tree, a 10-year-old Holsteiner, continued to establish themselves as a pair for the future. They won their first 1* by staying on a 27.5 dressage score.

Fiona aspires to the top of the sport and credits work with Tamie Smith, Kaylawna Smith-Cook and Bec Braitling for her auspicious outing today. That’s on top of riding on her own and weekly lessons with Julie Corlett in her Santa Ynez home area.

“We are both learning and I am stoked that we were able to take this step up together,” Fiona said.

Lauren Billys Shady and new ride Kingston 60 followed on a 29.6, and Grace Brownrigg and Dhaulagiri were third on a 31.2.

Ready For Rain

With the FEI divisions completed, the Horse Trials continue Saturday rain or not. The footing for all three phases of Galway Downs competition has proven its ability to withstand Mother Nature’s worst many times in recent years.

A festive dinner and awards ceremony closed out the international competition. Galway Downs organizer Robert Kellerhouse thanked exhibitors for their flexibility with the tightened-up schedule.

He expressed gratitude for the year-round support of Galway Downs’ sponsors. Robert welcomed Adequan’s Kat Kilcommons and Parker Equine Insurance’s Cheri Hubbert to help present the night’s awards.

Galway Downs International H.T. (Temecula, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring] [Live Stream]

Alyssa Phillips Surges Into the Lead After Show Jumping in The Event at TerraNova CCI4*-S

By on Mar 30, 2024 9:00 am -

Alyssa Phillips (USA) and Oskar move into first place after stadium jumping in the Galati Yacht Sales CCI4*-S.
Shannon Brinkman Photo

Alyssa Phillips (USA) of Fort Worth, Texas, took the lead after show jumping Friday in the CCI4*-S division in The Event at TerraNova, presented by B&D Builders, featuring the Galati Yacht Sales CCI4*-S at TerraNova Equestrian Center. She deftly piloted Oskar (Coriando x Nicole), a 15-year-old 16.2 hand bay Holsteiner gelding, who stood in second after Thursday’s dressage, across course designer Chris Barnard’s flowing 4*-S course.

Phillips also stands third in The Estates at TerraNova CCI3*-S with Cornelius Bo (Concours Complet x Charlotte), a 10-year-old 16.2 hand bay Hanoverian gelding whose comical personality earned him the barn names “Corny” and “Corn Dog.” Phillips owns both horses.

The three top-ranked competitors in the 4*-S resembled a United Nations delegation, with riders representing the United States (Phillips), Canada (Karl Slezak) and New Zealand (Monica Spencer).

Phillips was thrilled with Oskar’s performance and called preparing him for the CCI4*-S “a work in progress because he is a bit stronger when the show jumping phase comes before cross country. I’ve worked really hard on that this winter.”

Karl Slezak (CAN) and Hot Bobo moved up to second place from fifth after a flawless stadium jumping round
in the Galati Yacht Sales CCI4*-S. Shannon Brinkman Photo

She said the 4*-S course was a difficult show jumping track but found that it rode extremely well. “There were spots when you had to wait a bit, but the time was also tight, so you needed to keep the energy throughout the course. At the same time, you needed to get there perfectly so the horse was able to cover the distances. It was a great track and it was really fun to ride around.”

Most riders found the first part of the course relatively clear sailing, but the lines and combinations in the middle posed serious questions. Several riders overreached by trying to finish within the time allowed of 80 seconds. From start to finish, the pace and striding were exacting. The consensus among riders was that the course was a very fair test and that it readied the horses for the cross-country phase on Saturday.

Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist moved to third place after stadium jumping
in the Galati Yacht Sales CCI4*-S. Shannon Brinkman Photo

This was the first course Barnard has designed at TerraNova Equestrian Center. “I’m a big believer in the standard – making sure that everything’s up to standard, the height, the width, everything,” he said. “Even though it’s early in the season, it’s still a 4*. So I like to make sure that it’s big enough and wide enough. My philosophy is building courses that flow. I just try to have a course that’s big enough, bold enough, and that encourages forward riding.”

Barnard characterized the time allowed as a tool that a course designer has to make the course a bit more difficult. “If you make them be a little swift, then they can’t take their time and get the perfect distance.They’ve got to bear that in mind,” he said. “So when the time is a little tight, the riders tend to rush a couple of bits and pieces and therefore, might make a little mistake or the horse gets a rail down. If the time allowed is a bit generous, then they can all take their time, and a lot of these riders are good enough to manipulate the whole course to have a clear round.”

Lauren Nicholson (USA) of Ocala, Fla., who holds two top-10 standings in the 3*-S, said she enjoyed the course, noting that officials made a good choice to use the Lakeside arena. “It was a great atmosphere to practice jumping our horses in and prepping for our spring three days,” she said. “The course was prepared immaculately, and I’m looking forward to jumping around the cross-country track.”

Lauren Nicholson (USA) and Larcot Z were clear and took the lead after stadium jumping in The Estates at TerraNova CCI3*-S.Shannon Brinkman Photo

Nicholson leads the 3*-S with Larcot Z (L’arc de Triomphe x Kocote de la Londe), an 11-year-old 16.3 hand bay Zangersheide gelding, and stands in seventh position with Landmark’s Jungle’s Gold (Diarado x Jungle Tale), a 9-year-old 16.3 hand bay Holsteiner/Irish Sport Horse gelding. Both horses are owned by Jacqueline Mars.

The Event at TerraNova, presented by B&D Builders, featuring the Galati Yacht Sales CCI4*-S at TerraNova Equestrian Center, concludes Saturday with the cross-country phase, which for the 4*-S begins at 11:30 a.m. ET. Cross country can be viewed on the Horse & Country live stream here; the day will begin with the Blalock Walters CCI2*-S at 8:30 a.m. ET.

The Event at TerraNova (Myakka City, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

By on Mar 30, 2024 12:01 am -

You can really trust The Event at TerraNova to bring the fun. They seem to have a penchant for some really creative relay races (I remember Karl Slezak running one last year in an inflatable unicorn costume) and they’ll be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt this morning at 9am in Tiny Town — don’t let your kiddos be late!

Of course, that’s not the only action happening at TerraNova today — it’s cross country day for the Advanced, Intermediate, and FEI levels! Action starts at 8:30 AM with the CCI2*-S. The CCI4*-S, which is being led by Alyssa Phillips and Oskar after two phases, begins at 11:32 AM. A free live stream is available, just use the link below.

And speaking of four-stars, over on the west coast a certain Tamie Smith and Mai Baum took the win in that division at Galway Downs by over 10 points! Plus, it was actually SUNNY across the pond at Thoresby dressage yesterday! What a glorious weekend for spring eventing.

U.S. Weekend Action

Bouckaert Equestrian H.T. (Fairburn, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Galway Downs International H.T. (Temecula, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring] [Live Stream]

Jumping Branch Farm Spring H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Morven Park Spring H.T. (Leesburg, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

The Event at TerraNova (Myakka City, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

International Events

BEDE Events’ Thoresby Eventing Spring Carnival (UK) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

Links to Start Your Weekend:

Eventing Seeks More Proactivity to Stop Struggling Horses

What Goes Into Designing a Cross-Country Course?

We Showed On Sunday, He Died On Tuesday: An Outbreak Story

‘You have to prove your worth’: British Olympic hopefuls among Kentucky five-star entries

Conformation Critique with Chris Ryan: Teagan Van’t Jordenshof

Sponsor Corner: World Equestrian Brands‘ sponsored Rider Allie Knowles had a podium finish with Leo Santos in the Advanced division at Carolina International! Check them out here.

Morning Viewing: Finally, a little eventing love on the US Equestrian YouTube Channel. They’ve dropped Tamie Smith and Mai Baum’s full Kentucky cross country run from last year!

Tight at the Top: Thoresby Reigning Titleholder and World Champion Go Head to Head

By on Mar 29, 2024 5:29 pm -

Emily King and Valmy Biats return to defend their title. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

At the close of today’s competition at Thoresby’s Eventing Spring Carnival, which is in the North of England no matter how much anyone tries to convince us otherwise, a whopping 97 CCI4*-S competitors across the two sections at this level had produced their dressage tests in the walled garden. That is, no matter how you spin it, quite a lot of dressage. And while the walled garden does provide some sound and atmosphere buffer from the rest of the capacious estate, there was no escaping the faint and familiar noises of tannoys, whistles, and studded hooves pounding across – or perhaps through, in some places – the ground outside as cross-country unfurled through some of the other classes on the stacked roster of offerings here.

That meant, ultimately, that the first phase of the enormously star-studded Grantham Cup CCI4*-S – a class that’s effectively a feeder for Badminton, Kentucky, and, a bit further on, the Olympics – mostly came down to who could behave themselves the longest.

And so, as we head into tomorrow’s jumping and cross-country phases, we do so with a dynamic two-way tie for the top spot. Reigning World Champions Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir surprised absolutely nobody when they came into the arena this morning and delivered a 23.2, taking the lead away from overnight frontrunners Ros Canter and Izilot DHI – but as we inched closer to the end of the day, it all got rather tight at the top. Last year’s Grantham Cup winners, Emily King and Valmy Biats, made a compelling start to their bid to retain their title, equalling Yas’s 23.2 in what is the 15-year-old Selle Français’s best-ever international dressage score

“He was awesome – he was a really, really good boy and so calm,” says Emily, who betters her score from last year by over 3.5 marks – even with one tiny mistake. “He had a little jig-jog in his walk, but apart from that, he was a really good boy, so I’m dead pleased with him.”

One of Valmy’s great assets, which served him so well in last year’s tough conditions, is that he’s kept out at Emily’s Cheshire yard, which she shares with partner Sam Ecroyd. That gives him a not insignificant amount of innate ability to cope with variable footing – and while we’ve had a bit more sun over the last 24 hours than we saw last year, the weeks of bucketing rain in the lead-up have meant that once again, everyone’s had to work just a touch harder than they would have otherwise.

“He’s a really sensitive horse, and he really loves being out in the field. Even if it’s snowing or it’s sideways rain, if he has loads of rugs on, no matter what, he’s always happier being out,” laughs Emily. “I don’t take too many pictures of him out in the field, because you wouldn’t believe he enjoys it so much – it’s pretty rural! But if he comes in he weaves around. I do think there’s a benefit as well in that he gets used to the going. We gallop on grass at home, and even when it’s a bit deeper, he’ll still gallop on it, just a bit slower. So he’s accustomed and acclimatised to deeper going, which hopefully puts him in a bit of better stead when he has to perform in it at a show.”

Today, with last year in mind, Emily planned a conservative preparation for her test in order to allow Valmy to grow in confidence in the ring.

“I tried not to do too much in the warm-up as it’s quite deep but actually, in the arena the going is beautiful, so I didn’t want to put him off trusting me to move him forward. I’m glad I did that, because then I went in and I was able to really go for it and he was trusting. Last year it was a fine line between going for it and them losing their balance, because it was that much deeper.”

Emily King and Valmy Biats. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Now, she’s looking forward to another crack at Stuart Buntine’s tough course, which features several exciting new complexes, including two banks that haven’t previously featured.

“It looks really good out there,” says Emily. “It’s a similar sort of path, but with a few quite different questions [to last year]. There’s a few combinations that are similar to last year, and then a few that are quite different – there’s a new bank complex that’s pretty interesting! We’ve got a good few places to really open them up and test their fitness, because this is a prep run, in the grand scheme of things, for Badminton. He’s a strong horse, so I like practising galloping on and then settling him back, and we’ve got a few good places to do that here, as well as the more intense sections. I’m going to try to be competitive, but also use it as a great schooling run for Badminton.”

For Emily and Valmy, all eyes are on the UK’s spring five-star – but for Yas and Banzai, this is a stepping stone en route to a third visit to next month’s Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event.

“He was very good today – obedient, calm, attentive, and ticked all the boxes for me today,” she says. “He had some super work, and there were some big highlights in the test, so I think that’s a great starting point to go into the jumping tomorrow. Kentucky is the plan, depending on having a good run here at the weekend!”

Laura Collett and London 52. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The hot favourite to lead today’s dressage would, no doubt, have been Laura Collett and London 52, who so love to flirt with the 20 barrier – but, laughs Laura, “he was pretty feral this morning when I tried to ride him, so I’m just glad he didn’t completely disgrace himself!”

‘Dan’, who’s on three five-star wins from three attempts and has grown into the consummate unapologetic showman over the last few years, was so delighted to be back at a party that he picked up an uncharacteristic mistake, breaking in the half-pass to lose valuable marks. But even with that blip, the pair sit pretty on a very competitive 23.9, putting them into third place as we head into jumping.

“I guess you feel a little disappointed when you know things don’t feel quite as good as they can be, but I also know he’s not at his best in the mud,” says Laura pragmatically. “He’s always offended at not being on a surface, and holds a little bit back for himself. But he’s pleased to be out, and the sun is shining, so fingers crossed it stays!”

Unlike the two horse-and-rider combinations ahead of her, Laura’s spring plan with London 52 doesn’t involve a five-star run – instead, her focus is on maintaining his good form and fitness with a view to straightforward selection for the Paris Olympics, sans heroics.

“It’s going to be a hard call, but he’s feeling good and it’s all about going out and getting the show on the road,” she says. And as far as Thoresby goes? “We pray the sun keeps shining,” she laughs. “They’ve built a really good cross-country course here and fingers crossed it rides well.  It’s going to be an educational and challenging run, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

 Laura, too, has her eyes on the new bank complex at 11ABC as a significant part of the course’s tests.

“The first real challenge are the corners [at 9ABC] — they’re big old corners and there’s three of them, so I think it’s going to be really important to get the line right through there because of the back rails. They’ve been very clever; if you try and shut down a run-out then you make it a very wide question for them, so I think that’s the first real question. Then the other one is the new bank complex — a trailer bank, down to a very big skinny down the hill after a bounce step up.  I think that’s a really good test for the horses.”

Ros Canter now sits fourth on yesterday’s leader, 2023 Pau champion Izilot DHI, on a 25.6, while her reigning Badminton and European Champion Lordships Graffalo slotted into fifth at the tail end of the day on a 25.9.

“I was pleased with him, really, but he was quite hot to trot when he came down here and heard the tannoy going on from the cross-country,” laughs Ros. “Definitely, over the last few weeks, he’s been telling me at home that he’s ready for a good pipe-opener, so he was maybe a bit hot in there! There was a bit of sneezing, a bit of anticipating, and the walk was questionable — but he feels amazing. I can’t ask for more, really; it’s only the start of the season and I’d rather him fresh than lazy at this time of year.”

Lordships Graffalo won’t return to Badminton to try to retain his title – like London 52 before him, he’s being maintained in favour of a – hopefully – straightforward bid at a berth on the British team for Paris.

“I’ve only got Izilot DHI aiming for an early five-star at the moment; Lordships Graffalo’s not going to do a big one this spring, which he’ll be very disappointed about. After today he does feel like he could maybe do with a run around Badminton!”

Gemma Stevens will go into the jumping phases on her Badminton-bound Jalapeno, who finished in the top ten at the five-star last year, in sixth place on a 26.4 – a test that she was pleased with despite battling slightly with the going.

“I’m seriously questioning my life choices,” she jokes, “but I’m really pleased with that test. There’s only so much you can do when it’s a bit slippy and boggy.”

Comeback queen Jala, who Gemma spent the better part of two years meticulously rehabilitating from an injury sustained in 2019, is joined by stablemate Chilli Knight, who returns for his first bid at a five-star season since he won the one-off Bicton CCI5* in 2021.

“He’s busting for a run – he’s been a little out of control,” she laughs. “He’s usually furious with me if I make him go at anything other than a hundred miles an hour! But he does need to get a qualifying result here for Badminton.”

His rehab process, she explains, has been very similar to Jalapeno’s, and both horses have benefited from plenty of time spent hacking on the hills of the South Downs to build strength on long, slow rides rather than over-relying on gallop sets.

Kitty King and Vendredi Biats. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Gemma and Jala are followed in overnight seventh place by individual European silver medallists and team gold medallists Kitty King and Vendredi Biats, on a score of 27, and in eighth place by New Zealand’s Tim Price and his Tokyo mount Vitali, who posted a 27.2.

Tim Price and Vitali. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“Vitali feels like the fitness is starting to come on board for his preparation towards Badminton,” says Tim, who also sits tenth on a 27.8 with his 2022 Boekelo winner, Happy Boy. “[Vitali] went in there and tried really hard for me. He’s just a little diddy thing, so to go in after Laura and London 52 — that’s always quite difficult! My wee guy in the deeper going just finds it a bit difficult to be as flamboyant as he can be.”

Badminton-bound Vitali, whose last four FEI runs have been four top-ten finishes at five-star, will, Tim hopes, benefit from the pipe-opener that this weekend will offer him – something he felt was missing ahead of his Burghley run last year, in which he finished fourth after leading the first two phases.

“For Vitali, I think he needs to work a bit hard,” he says. “His prep into Burghley last year was probably lacking one good proper run, with Gatcombe cancelled, and we paid for that with some time faults, so I’m hoping that this year I can push him along a bit and make him work a bit. I’m sure there’s a proper cross-country test put to us out there and lots of jobs to do.”

Pippa Funnell and Billy Walk On. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Pippa Funnell will go into tomorrow’s jumping in ninth place, having posted a 27.4 with the charismatic Billy Walk On, who will, all being well, aim for a run at Luhmühlen’s CCI5* in June.

“He got a bit stuck in the mud on the first corner, got his feet in a muddle and popped into canter, and then I couldn’t get him back to trot — so that spoilt the whole first shoulder-in movement,” she says, “but other than that he did a good solid test and was a good boy.”

The secondary CCI4*-S section, for lesser-pointed horses, is led going into jumping by Wesko Equestrian Foundation beneficiary Saffron Cresswell, who posted a 28.5 with Vivendi Hero.

“I was really, really pleased with Louis’s test today,” she says. “Obviously at only nine years old he’s still new to the level, so I’m delighted with him; he tried really hard in there.  The ground was testing, particularly in the warm-up,  but it was actually much better in the ring, and I just tried to utilise the warm-up ground to prepare for the test.”

Showjumping will begin at 8:30 (ish, anyway – we’re currently awaiting updated times!) tomorrow morning, with cross-country following on from 12.00 p.m. You can follow all the action live on Horse&Country TV, and tune back in to EN tomorrow evening for a thorough unpacking of everything that happened – and what it might mean for the season to come! Until then: Go Eventing.

The top ten at the conclusion of dressage in Thoresby’s Grantham Cup CCI4*-S.

The Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby: Website | Live Scores | Live Stream | EN’s Coverage

Leslie Law Seizes the Lead After Dressage in the Galati Yacht Sales CCI4*-S At The Event at TerraNova, Presented by B&D Builders

By on Mar 29, 2024 10:30 am -

Leslie Law (GBR) and Lady Chatterly lead after dressage in the Galati Yacht Sales CCI4*-S at
The Event at TerraNova, presented by B&D Builders
Shannon Brinkman Photo

Olympian Leslie Law (GBR) of Ocala, Florida, took a firm lead after dressage on opening day of The Event at TerraNova, presented by B&D Builders, featuring the Galati Yacht Sales CCI4*-S at TerraNova Equestrian Center. A smooth, steady test on Lady Chatterly, a 13-year-old bay mare owned by Jackie and Steve Brown, earned Law a score of 28.5. He was among a diverse field of riders from six nations, five of whom, including him, had two horses in the CCI4*-S division.


Alyssa Phillips (USA) and Oskar are in second place after dressage in the Galati Yacht Sales CCI4*-S.
Shannon Brinkman Photo

Alyssa Phillips (USA) of Fort Worth, Texas, stood in second with a dressage score of 29.3 aboard Oskar (Coriando x Nicole), a 16.2 hand bay Holsteiner gelding. She finished the day leading The Estates at TerraNova CCI3*-S with a score of 25.0 on another of her horses, Cornelius Bo (Concours Complet x Charlotte), a 10-year-old 16.2 hand bay gelding. Phillips owns both horses.

Holding third position was Lucienne Bellissimo (GBR) of Campobello, South Carolina, with Dyri, a 12-year-old 16.2 hand brown Holsteiner/Trakehner gelding owned by Horse Scout Eventing LLC.

Law said “Fleur” (Lady Chatterly’s barn name) was extremely relaxed and supple in the TerraNova environment. “As a result, she worked really through and allowed me to ride a very forward, positive, strong test. I was absolutely delighted with her performance.”

He described her as “a pretty sharp mare. . .We’ve always said if she were in the wild, she would be the last one to get caught by anything because she doesn’t miss anything. She’s a very alert, very sharp and intelligent lady. She knows exactly what’s going on around her. But when it actually comes to the job, she really buckles down and is very workman-like.

Lucienne Bellissimo (GBR) and Dyri stand in third after dressage in the the Galati Yacht Sales CCI4*-S.. Shannon Brinkman Photo

“It’s great to be back here again at TerraNova to see the changes that have happened. It just quite honestly keeps getting better and better. We really enjoy coming here, and I look forward to seeing more changes when I come back in the fall.”

Phillips, who has two additional horses competing in the preliminary division at TerraNova, said she was pleased with Oskar’s test. “He has become so reliable in the ring and is acting as a professional these days. It’s nice to be able to go into the ring and show him off now. I’m really happy with all four of my horses, and I can’t wait to show jump and run around the beautiful cross-country track. They’ve done an amazing job.”

Alyssa Phillips (USA) and Cornelius Bo lead after dressage in the The Estates at TerraNova CCI3*-S.
Shannon Brinkman Photo

Phillips noted that Cornelius is “quite spooky, but he’s a good show jumper. I’ll just be looking to give him a good confident round tomorrow.” She said show jumping is the weakest phase for her other horse, Oskar, when it comes before cross country. “He would actually prefer to show jump last. I’m going to give him the best ride that I can tomorrow and hopefully all the homework we’ve been working on pays off. The only person I’m really trying to beat is myself and to improve on each performance. Obviously, you’d like to jump clear, but I’ll be happy with my horses either way.”

Bellissimo said the TerraNova facility suits Dyri, particularly following a winter in Wellington. “I love that it’s flat here because he hasn’t had a chance yet to get super fit, and he hasn’t seen a hill in many months.” She added that because TerraNova has atmosphere it’s a great environment for the young horses.

The Event at TerraNova, presented by B&D Builders, featuring the Galati Yacht Sales CCI4*-S at TerraNova Equestrian Center, resumes Friday with the show jumping phase.

Events at TerraNova is grateful for all the wonderful volunteers. TerraNova Equestrian Foundation is donating $20 per volunteer hour worked to Easterseals Southwest Florida.

The Event at TerraNova (Myakka City, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

Tamie Smith The Star So Far in Galway Downs CCI4*-S

By on Mar 29, 2024 9:45 am -
Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Sherry Stewart. Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Mai Baum is 18. He’s hot. And he knows it.

The German Sport Horse and his 2023 Land Rover Kentucky 5* champion partner, Tamie Smith, established a distant lead in dressage — scoring a 23 — in the Galway Downs International Horse Trials CCI4*-S.

With a rainy weekend forecast causing dressage and show jumping to be held on the same day in this division, the pair held that lead by easily clearing the jumps within the time allowed.

Emilee Libby and the Dutch Warmblood Toska sit second, also clear in stadium jumping, to retain their 32.2 dressage score.

Tamie occupies two more top 5 spots going into Friday’s cross-country finalé. Kynan is third after today’s two phases, with a 34.7, and Elliot V, is fourth on a 36, after 1.5 time faults in show jumping.

Best Ever

“I think that was his best dressage ever,” Tamie said of Mai Baum’ effort.

Ground Jury president and judge Sandy Phillips concurred. “It was wonderful to see,” she said of their test. “That is the picture we are looking for, with uphill self-carriage and in balance. When I talk about balance at the 4* level, we want to see engagement of the hindquarters, so the horse can lift the front end.”

Mai Baum’s performance reflected both a continuation of Tamie’s program – in which she works with several dressage luminaries — and an extra dose of forward emphasis, courtesy of British eventing legend Ian Stark. “I know not everybody would think of Ian for the flat work, but he really helped with the forward for all my horses.”

“I have a dressage background and I think we can tend to ride almost with a little bit of a backwards feeling,” Tamie continued. “Today Lexus was really forward and in front of my leg.” In short, “We’re just right with each other.”

That was true for show jumping, too, over Marc Donovan’s stout track. This was Mai Baum’s first eventing competition after earning individual third and team silver at CHIO Aachen last July. He prepped at show jumping and dressage competitions this year, and “was happy to be out here and running around” back in the eventing realm.

Mai Baum goes next to the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event in April, to run the CCI4*-S as a prep to peaking, hopefully, in Paris for the Olympics. “It’s about doing whatever is best for each horse,” Tamie explained. “Paris is going to be a very big test. I think some horses need to run a long format before and some don’t. I think it’s best for Lexus not to.”

Tamie was equally thrilled with Kynan, and Elliot V, both Dutch Warmbloods, and with two new horses. The Irish Sport Horse, Sumas Tina Turner, and the Selle Francais stallion, Pierre’s Farceur du Bochard, are 2nd and 4th in the CCI3*-S after dressage.

Asked about her deep string of high-quality horses, Tamie said, “I’m just going to keep enjoying it! It was a longer time that I had really difficult horses!”

Drilling The Dressage

Emilee Libby described Toska’s test as crossing a new threshold in rideability. “We’ve been drilling the dressage more this last month. I realized she can do 3, 4, 5 days of dressage in a row and get better. Sometimes a horse can get annoyed or tired of it, but she’s getting stronger and we’re putting those pieces together. She is starting to mentally come back to earth for me.”

Clean show jumping looked to be a breeze for the 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood. Emilee hopes that Toska will retain her new level of rideability over Clayton Fredericks’ cross-country course tomorrow. “Basically, though, she knows her job. I just need to point her in the right direction.”

Organizer Robert Kellerhouse’s crew, Galway’s officials and exhibitors are adept at working around the weather. With rains forecast to hit Saturday, this year’s CCI-Short became even shorter. The 3* and 4* were condensed to Thursday and Friday and the CCI1* and Parker Equine CCI2* will hold all three phases on Friday.

The 14-horse CCI3*-S field did dressage this afternoon, with Taren Hoffos and Regalla, an Oldenburg, sitting first on a 32 score. The pack is close. Tamie Smith and Sumas Tina Turner are second on a 32.6 and Megan McIver and Elle, a Holsteiner, sit third on a 32.7.

Cross country for the 4*-S begins today (Friday) at 9:30 am PST / 12:30 pm EST and will be live streamed here.

Galway Downs International H.T. (Temecula, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring] [Live Stream]

Cross Country Equestrian Offers Horse and Rider New Opportunities

By on Mar 29, 2024 9:30 am -

In the 1990s, the sport of Eventing was changing. There were talks regarding how to make these changes, and while many agreed that changes needed to be made, not all riders and Eventing supporters agreed on how that should look. Nick Larkin was one such person.

After a remarkable competitive career, which included winning the inaugural Adelaide International Horse Trials 3-star, the inaugural Rolex Kentucky 3DE 4-star, being short listed for the New Zealand Olympic Team, and representing New Zealand at the World Equestrian Games in 1998, Nick decided it was time to step away from the sport when he saw it moving in a direction in which he could no longer see a future for himself.

“The best part [of Eventing] is always the second day,” Nick stated. “Sports are meant to be entertaining, and should be easy to understand and accessible for those participating and observing.” With a continued passion for horsemanship, entertaining sport, and accessibility for all, Nick dove deep to expand an idea originally considered in the 90s, and one that he further imagined in the mid-2000s when observing the need for post-track careers for thoroughbreds: Cross Country Equestrian.

Cross Country Equestrian is a new sport centered around cross country that offers opportunities for horses and riders. While CCE is perfect for the speed, stamina, jumping ability, mental sharpness and courage of the thoroughbred, it’s a sport that is open and designed to be accessible to everyone.

A cross country oriented sport, CCE offers all horse and rider partnerships to access equestrian competitions. Photo provided by Nick Larkin.

“Fundamentally, a CCE competition involves competitors completing a course of obstacles, scoring points for successfully jumping or negotiating obstacles and incurring penalties for errors and exceeding the time allowed… Obstacles on a CCE course are numbered sequentially and the competitor follows the course from the start to the finish accordingly. Each course has an allowed time based on the required pace and penalties are incurred for exceeding this,” Nick explained.

While it doesn’t sound dissimilar from the cross country portion of Eventing as we know it, there are some key differences, one of the biggest being: “Every obstacle on a CCE course is optional. The competitor chooses to attempt an obstacle or to “pass”. No penalties are incurred for passing an obstacle correctly,” Nick highlighted.

“Optionality of CCE has major implications beyond simply being able to skip a jump – for example: it removes often unnecessary or pointless pressure and prompts better decision-making… those choices incentivize a better understanding of ability and risk, not to mention improving those acquired (or trained) skillsets… and optionality means greater personal responsibility for all of those choices – especially safety related choices. I believe optionality will shift the current collective mindset toward one more advantageous for the horse’s welfare,” Nick emphasized.

There are three Stages (components) of CCE and a competition may include any or all of these. In multi-Stage competitions, competitors can select the stages in which they would like to compete.

The Endurance Cross Ride (EXR) – In the simplest form the EXR resembles a trail or endurance ride where competitors complete a course which involves no jumping at prescribed speeds in order to avoid time penalties. Other versions of EXR can include simpler jumped obstacles, non-jumped obstacles (such as bridges or water-crossings) and/or athletic sections which require faster speeds.

The Cross Country Ride (CCR) is the centerpiece of the sport – a course of moderate length in an open setting, with numerous obstacles. Most obstacles on the CCR course are of the fixed type similar to an Eventing XC course. A portion of obstacles are of the Knock Down (KD) type with a dislodgeable upper element that is “captive” to ensure there is no risk of entrapment or further interference.

The Jump Off Ride (JOR) begins in a demarcated area called the “arena setting” where show-jumping type obstacles with “free” dislodgeable elements. The course leaves the arena setting and continues into the “open setting” similar to the CCR course and includes the same types of CCR obstacles. A Gallop section may be included which involves no jumping.

Points are added to a competitor’s score for each successful obstacle navigated. In addition to regular obstacles, challenge obstacles are found at each level, and typically have dimensions or technicality of the next higher level and score more points.

Penalties are incurred for error such as refusals and run-outs, and for exceeding the course time. Points minus Penalties determines the final score. The simple competitive objective is to finish with the highest score. An example of the scoring is as follows:

Cross Country Ride Points

Regular Obstacle (RG) 20
Challenge Obstacle (CH) 25

Cross Country Ride Penalties

Refusal / Run-out -30
Knock Down (KD) -5
Activating Safety Device -20
Flag -5

Jump Off Ride Points

Regular (RG) 10 (Show Jumping-type) 20 (Cross Country -type)
Challenge (CH) 12 (Show Jumping -type) 25 (Cross Country -type)

Jump Off Ride Penalties

Refusal / Run-out -15 (SJ-type) -30 (CC-type)
Knock Down (KD) -5
Activating Safety Device -20
Flag -5

Time – Cross Country Ride and Jump Off Ride

1 penalty per second started

While ten levels will be offered (L1-L10), workshops have not yet gone beyond L5. L6 and 7 are expected to be added this year.

Level 1 (<60cm) is roughly equivalent to introductory level.
Level 2 (70cm) is equivalent to starter.
Level 3 (80cm) is equivalent to beginner novice.
Level 4 (90cm) is equivalent to novice.
Level 5 (100cm) is equivalent to training.

Qualifying scores need to be attained to move up to the next level. “The threshold is a score that is basically equal to the value of successfully jumping all of the RG obstacles. There’s a ‘time-penalty waiver or limit’ that allows competitors to go a bit slower, incur time penalties and yet still attain a Q-Score,” Nick outlines.

There’s also another eligibility structure called “RANKING”, that’s a quantitative measure of Eligibility based on the number of Q-Scores a horse or rider has at each Level.

“CCE is designed with substantial flexibility primarily to maximize accessibility and opportunities. For competitors, the sport allows them to mold each competition to whatever best suits their individual situation – beginner rider, green horse, developing confidence, focusing of particular skills, and ultimately, when ready, competing with others… You have the choice to do what’s right for you and your horse – you have the flexibility of passing the fence, of receiving coaching during the competition,” Nick explained.

In addition to competition, CCE workshops helps riders develop in their approach and ride in CCE competitions. Photo by JJ Sillman.

“We want this sport to be accessible for people – not everyone has the time or resources to have all of the “right” things needed for traditional equestrian sports – the horses, the equipment, the access to special training facilities or infrastructure, or the ability to leave home for days or weeks at a time. We want people to come and have fun. Most people that ride do it for enjoyment, and most of those derive that from enjoying their horse – being connected, being a team, and having fun together. We also want CCE professionals – competitors, trainers, those developing horses – to have the ability to make a good and ethical living with horses.”

CCE’s flexibility extends to venues and organizers as well, allowing for a competition that is optimized for their situation – facilities, equipment, manpower, budget, etc. in which stages are offered, how the course is set, and more. “CCE can be held in North Dakota or Mississippi or New Mexico, or Maine or anywhere in between, and it will take on a flavor of the location – CCE in south Texas will be different to CCE in Massachusetts,” Nick acknowledges.

With CCE launching in September of last year, some equestrians have expressed concerns regarding safety. “Many people who are concerned with the safety aspect haven’t seen the ways in which this sport is set up to be safe first and foremost,” Nick responded. “The courses are set up to be safer… there are things a designer can do that promote safer riding, including incorporating appropriate technical difficulty, obstacle positioning, and asking questions that require more control etc. There are rules regarding the type and positioning of obstacles in certain circumstances such as after the Gallop in JOR, and alternative obstacles and the use of innovative features such as chicanes and “Pass gates” that take more time and encourage better training and riding. Providing flexibility and choice reduces pressure and builds horsemanship. You have to choose what to do and what not to do, so you have to know your horse and the capabilities of the partnership.”

As CCE develops and evolves as a sport, facilities have already been reaching out to set up workshops and competitions. Upcoming workshops will provide a more in depth look into the sport, and competitions are expanding around the country, and inching their way towards an international debut as well. For upcoming events, take a look at CCE’s calendar. If you’re interested in learning more, or having CCE come to your area, Nick suggests that you talk to your equestrian friends and potential organizers in your area. The CCEA team will come and help get things started, but generating the interest is the first step. Hosting and attending a workshop (with or without a horse!) is a great way to understand the fundamentals of CCE and Nick welcomes everyone to come and see how CCE is safe, fun and centered on the horse. Additionally, you can take a look at CCE’s website for more information on the sport, and contact information for additional questions.

Friday News & Notes from Stable View

By on Mar 29, 2024 12:01 am -

Recognise that handsome little face?! Yes, that is none other than a baby faced London 52 – you know the one, multiple 5* title holder and Olympic gold medal winning partner of the incredible Miss Laura Collett. The two of them are back in action at the Thoresby Spring Carnival of Eventing this weekend – keep up with all of the action over at H&C. There’s a whole slew of top names in the CCI4*-S, so it will be a very exciting weekend indeed, come rain or shine!

OR if you’re (West) Stateside, and want to go and see some actual real live action, why not head on down to Galway Downs or the Event at Terranova? At the former you will catch sight of last year’s Kentucky winners Tamie Smith, while at the latter
US based Kiwi Monica Spencer is giving Artist a pipe opener ahead of their run around the 5* at Kentucky.

The International eventing season is really starting to hot up now, with entry lists for both Badminton and Kentucky released – I think I might have to go and have a little lie down, such is my excitement at it all!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Bouckaert Equestrian H.T. (Fairburn, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Galway Downs International H.T. (Temecula, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring] [Live Stream]

Jumping Branch Farm Spring H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Morven Park Spring H.T. (Leesburg, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

The Event at TerraNova (Myakka City, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

International Events

BEDE Events’ Thoresby Eventing Spring Carnival (UK) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

Friday News and Reading

When the entry list for Badminton was released on Monday, I had SO many thoughts on it all – so many first timers, so many exciting combinations, a few notable omissions (Lordships Graffalo, where art thou?!) and just SO MANY POSSIBLE OUTCOMES!! So it was nothing short of wonderful to have Sam and Diarm over at EquiRatings put a podcast out almost immediately afterward which helped to calm my racing mind. They were able to provide a much more coherent summary of the entries, and pose some interesting questions along the way, including the all important one…who will take the coveted Badminton title this year, with all recent winners (horses, that is) absent from the start list. Will the girls make it five years in a row, or will the boys rise to the top again? I can hardly wait!!

Eventing Nation readers, we need you. Don’t panic, it’s nothing major – we could just use a little help in finding the #Supergroom of the winter season. They sure as hell deserve all the recognition they can get – and some more besides – because as I am sure you will all agree, it’s these heroes that make it all happen, day in, day out. So if you have someone in mind, then head on over here and cast your votes. Don’t dilly dally though, nominations close April 4th, with the winner crowned April 5th.

The Kiwi contingent enjoyed a super successful weekend out in the Netherlands last weekend. Olympic qualification was the name of the game, and both Caroline Powell and Tim Price achieved just that, on two horses apiece. Tim also finished second in the CCI4*L, an added bonus this early in the season, and a placing that will only enhance his chances of a spot on that Olympic team…

Sponsor Corner

Looking to help out your local eventing community? If you’re local to Aiken, consider volunteering at Stable View! Our sport runs on volunteers. Register as a volunteer here.

Weekend Watching

Kentucky and Badminton are but a heartbeat away, so it seems only right to ring in the weekend with a little 5* action – enjoy this throwback to last year’s Burghley Horse Trials, where Holly Richardson and Bally Louis made their 5* debut, jumping round the seriously tough track with ease. Holly and Louis are on the start list for Badminton, where hopefully they will smash it once again.

“It Was Probably One of His Best Tests”: Ros Canter’s 5* Champ Back with a Bang at Thoresby

By on Mar 28, 2024 6:44 pm -

Ros Canter and Izilot DHI. Photo by Hannah Cole.

And just like that, after a long, quiet, soggy off-season in the UK, we’re back in action at the first FEI event of 2024. This year, the Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby Park – which is somewhere pretty north and I won’t be able to tell you anything with more specificity than that because I’m (kind of) a Londoner – has eased us in to its jam-packed double CCI4*-S offering, putting on just two hours’ worth of day one dressage in the walled garden to start the weekend today. And look, we could run you through that handful of dressage tests across the two sections, going heavy on the analysis right off the bat, but let’s be real: there was one stand-out performance, and that’s where we’re going to focus all our attention.

The primary CCI4*-S section, the prestigious Grantham Cup class, hosts roughly half of the 120 or so four-star entrants at Thoresby this year (the higher-FEI-pointed half, for what it’s worth). Today, we saw thirteen of them take to the ring, and subsequently, a thorough tour of the 30s and low 40s on the scoreboard. Except, of course, when reigning European Champion Ros Canter put the final halt and salute on her test with Izilot DHI. The pair’s test was much-anticipated for two reasons: firstly, for the simple fact that they were the first duo in the ring, and thus our first official British four-star competitors of 2024, and secondly, because the last time we saw the quirky eleven-year-old KWPN gelding (Zavall VDL x Un, by Cavalier), it was when he was winning on his five-star debut at Pau in October. That win, which followed just weeks after victory in Blenheim’s CCI4*-L, wasn’t a surprise where ‘Isaac’s’ talent is concerned – but it was, perhaps, a bit of a surprise because of how mercurial the gelding can be.

In 2019, though, we saw Laura Collett’s London 52 win Boekelo’s CCI4*-L, a victory that she has always professed to be the making of the horse, who had had a spate of up-and-down results prior to that. Now, he’s a three-time CCI5* winner – and it’s not hard to imagine that Isaac, too, could be entering his winningest era yet after tasting success last autumn. Today, his pathfinding test earned him a 25.6, which might not be one of his best four-star scores – he’s previously gone sub-20 at the level – but, Ros tells us, it felt like one of his top efforts yet.

“It was one of his best tests, if not the best he’s ever done,” she says. “He felt really rideable and with me, and not spooky, which is really nice for this time of year! He’s a really uphill horse with a very long neck, and it can be quite a challenge sometimes, because he can look like he’s peacocking. Today, though, he felt the best he has in his neck.”

One of the catalysts for that feeling, Ros explains, was a change in his routine over the winter.

“He’s not a hot horse, but he’s a spooky one – but he’s definitely gotten better this winter,” she says. “I’ve changed the way I do things a bit with him. I’m doing much less schooling at home and a lot more hacking. And then I go out and about to do his training. It feels like we’ve broken the habit, now, of spooking quite so much.”

Thoresby’s an exciting start to the season for Isaac — even with two very competitive phases yet to come — but it’s also a crucial stepping stone. Currently, Ros has the gelding double-entered for both Badminton, which she won last year with Lordships Graffalo, and Kentucky, and while she’s open-minded about which of the two she ends up at – “or he might go to neither!” – her presence at either event with the talented gelding will make her one of the firm favourites in either field. We’ll be taking a close look at the rest of the field here in tomorrow’s full day of dressage, but in the meantime, we’re already daydreaming about Isaac’s campaign to become one of the sport’s most successful five-star weirdos.

The Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby: Website | Live Scores | Live Stream | EN’s Coverage