Team SmartPak riders Boyd Martin, Silva Martin and Ryan Wood got more than they bargained for during a recent drop-in at the SmartPak offices.
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EN TRENDS:
Classic Eventing Nation
They Came, They Schooled, They Conquered: Inaugural Stable View Eventing Academy Recap
Photo by Christine Rhodes.
The Inaugural Eventing Academy at Stable View successfully raised the bar for both schooling and unrecognized horse trials in Aiken last weekend, Feb. 24-25. With the opportunity to school all three phases on Saturday, horses and riders alike were prepared and confident to tackle the Schooling Horse Trial on Sunday.
Some 103 horses took advantage of the schooling day, and 109 entered on Sunday. Competitors loved the open, galloping feel of the new cross-country course at Stable View, which made its debut for this event.
This event also introduced two new levels: Sprouts (18”) and Tadpole (2’3”). The addition of these lower levels provided the opportunity for less experienced horses and riders to participate. With miniature versions of typical cross-country fences, these courses offered a true taste of eventing. Very few horse and rider pairs had trouble on the cross country course, a testament to the value of schooling the day before!
Photo gallery:
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- Photo by Christine Rhodes.
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- Photo by Christine Rhodes.
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- Photo by Christine Rhodes.
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- Photo by Christine Rhodes.
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- Photo by Christine Rhodes.
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- Photo by Christine Rhodes.
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- Photo by Christine Rhodes.
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- Photo by Christine Rhodes.
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- Photo by Christine Rhodes.
There will be five more Eventing Academies as part of the 2018 Series: April 14-15, May 19-20, July 21-22, Aug. 11-12 and Nov. 17-18, with a Dec. 8-9 Academy kicking off the 2019 season. Competitors earn points from each show of the series, and a year-end awards ceremony will be held in the new Pavilion during the December Eventing Academy with prizes totalling in excess of $10,000.
The Eventing Academy Series makes Stable View’s world-class facilities available to up-and-coming riders and those just beginning their journey in eventing. The emphasis on the lower levels encourages grassroots participation in this series. The cross country course allowed great
visibility for spectators, with multiple fences within sight at any given place on course. Many competitors brought along their family, friends and trainers, giving Stable View the “gathering place” atmosphere.
Mogie Bearden-Muller designed the new cross country courses and riders loved the confident ride they were able to give their horses. The show jumping courses, designed by Julie Zapapas, rode nicely throughout the day.
Photo by Christine Rhodes.
Click here to view full results.
Read below what some of the participants had to say about the weekend!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfouaARDvKi/
And it’s all come full circle this weekend at Stable View’s Eventing Academy! Wise Thinking put all three phases…
Posted by CTP Equestrian on Monday, February 26, 2018
Mark your calendars now for the next Eventing Academy on April 14th and 15th — you won’t want to miss it!
For more details about any upcoming events at Stable View and the full 2018 Calendar, visit www.stableviewfarm.com.
Tuesday News & Notes from Chillax
Peter Barry is back in the saddle. Photo via Peter Barry’s Facebook Page.
We are so thrilled to see Peter Barry back in the saddle for his first ride since suffering a stroke nearly a year ago with none other than Icabad Crane. It’s been a long road to recovery, but just as Peter described, he’s taking it one step at a time.
National Holiday: National Strawberry Day, Spay Away USA Day
Events Opening This Week: Fair Hill International H.T. (MD, A-2) Ocala International 3-Day Festival of Eventing Presented by Ocala Ranches (FL, A-3) Twin Rivers CCI,CIC & H.T. (CA, A-6) FEH/YEH/NEH Qualifier (MD, A-2) Ocala International 3-Day Festival of Eventing Presented by Ocala Ranches (FL, A-3) Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event (KY, A-8) FENCE H.T. (SC, A-3) Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event (KY, A-8)
Events Closing This Week: Pine Top Spring H.T. (GA, A-3) Live Oak International (FL, A-3) MeadowCreek Park – The Spring Social Event (TX, A-5) Copper Meadows Winter H.T. (CA, A-6) Ocala Winter II Presented by Ocala Ranches (FL, A-3)
Tuesday News:
The USEA Young Event Horse Program’s 2018 schedule is officially set. Coming off the whirlwind Educational Symposium last week, the USEA released their line up of qualifying competitions from coast to coast. [Let Your Young Event Horse Shine at a YEH Event in 2018]
The primary design feature of a saddle’s tree has remained the same for 4300 years, despite the many variations in saddles nowadays. The main job of the tree is to destribute the rider’s weight. If you look at the tree in three parts, the front and rear should hold 30% of the weight with the middle section picking up 40%. [The evolution of the saddle tree: Is yours doing the right job?]
Getting immediately back on after a fall isn’t always the smartest choice. Many riders (and trainers) may miss the warning signs of a concussion in the moment when the goal is to correct the error that caused a fall. There’s no shame in getting checked out -better safe than sorry! [My Concussion Experience]
Any fluent Spanish speakers out there? We’d love to figure out what this furied FEI rant is all about and Google Translate isn’t enough to make heads or tails of it, although we’re picking up on complaints of “unspeakable ideology,” “cronyism” and “illegality.” Drama llama! [Brancaleone Team] UPDATE: A Spanish-fluent reader has come through for us! We’ll give you the low-down in Wednesday N&N.
Tuesday Video: Getting an aerial view of your cross country is the new cool thing to do!
Which product does Olympic medalist Phillip Dutton trust to keep his horses calm and focused at the biggest events in the world? Chillax. Learn more.
Error, group does not exist! Check your syntax! (ID: 38)Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: ‘Hang On Tight!’ Edition
Laura Szeremi (aka Bad Eventer) was in the right place at the right time to capture this “Hang On Tight!” moment at Pine Top Farm over the weekend. Erin Pullen took her three-star mount, Tag, out for his first spin of the season and the pair threw down a jumping fault-free cross country run in the Intermediate A division. Tag looked raring to go as he took this long spot at large corner on course – well sat, Erin!
‘Never Look Down in the Port-a-Potty’ and Other Eventing Rules to Live By
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
The official rulebook is important, but there are a few aspects of eventing you’ve just got to learn on your own. Here are a few unwritten, unspoken lessons I’ve learned, a few of them the hard way:
• Before you put your horse on the trailer, especially if you’re heading to a faraway event, take a moment to jog him and check his shoes.
• Know how to change a flat.
• Make copies of important paperwork and keep them in a binder in your truck.
• Get to know the people stabled next to you. It’s a great way of making connections and friends.
• Make checklists — ESPECIALLY if you’re not a checklist-type person.
• If you think you need an hour to get ready, give yourself an hour and a half.
• A smile at the judge might not help, but it can’t hurt!
• Be nice to the show secretary and officials. They don’t get paid enough.
• Thank every volunteer you see. Without them, there would be no eventing. If you have a few spare hours between rides, volunteer yourself.
• Expect the best but ALWAYS have a backup plan.
• Try not to get eliminated for something dumb, like forgetting your spurs in the Intermediate test or cruising past a jump.
• Dump your manure at the back of the manure heap. Don’t be “that person.”
• Never use new products or equipment for the first time at an event. It can be tempting, I know. DON’T.
• If the course looks big, walk it again. Defying all laws of physics, jumps grow smaller with each successive course walk.
• If after several course walks the course still looks big, grab a go-cup of wine from the competitor’s party and give it one more try.
• Have a start box ritual, whether it’s visualization, a prayer, a mantra or just a deep breath.
• When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with sitting up and closing your leg.
• Unhook your vest before dismounting!
• Call your mom/significant other/etc. after cross country. They worry.
• When you have a bad day, don’t act like it’s the end of the world. Because it’s not.
• When you have a good day, remember that you didn’t get there alone.
• If you feel like dancing at the competitors’ party, you ought to.
• SERIOUSLY, THANK EVERY VOLUNTEER YOU SEE.
• And whatever you do, never ever look down in the Port-a-Potty!
What would you add to the list? Leave your “rules” in the comments section below.
Go Eventing!
What’s In Your Arena? Presented by Attwood: Fun with Ground Poles
What’s in Your Ring? is an EN series sponsored by Attwood Equestrian Surfaces in which riders share their favorite jumping exercises. It’s easy to get stuck in a training rut, and we hope this will inspire you with fresh ideas that you can take home and incorporate into your own programs.
Ground poles are a super way to keep your winter indoor work interesting as well as leg up for the upcoming season. Whether you set up trot or canter ground poles, they are a low impact way to build your horse’s strength, improve his gaits and tune up your own eye for distances.
Tristan the Wonder Horse is a pro at ground poles (check out more of his amazing footwork on YouTube). In his latest video, Tristan demonstrates a relatively simple trot work exercise that is easy to set up and adjust for any sized arena. Enjoy!
Sunny Snapshots from Three Lakes Horse Trials
Three Lakes Horse Trials at Caudle Ranch held its last horse trials of the season over the weekend. It looked to be a beautiful, sunny event, and you can’t ask for much more than that!
Congratulations to the Three Lakes Horse Trials victors:
William Coleman and A Real Cooley (OP-A)
Will Zuschlag and Go Happy (OP-B)
Chelsey Sawtell and Maiden France (PR)
Maddie McElduff and Lamondale Graciana (OT-A)
Michael Nolan and Dungar Silver (OT-B)
Will Zuschlag and Quintana K (OT-C)
Georgia Dillard and Galileo WP (TR)
Elizabeth Posillico and Hill Dancer (NR-A)
Gracie O-Brien and Cooley Sky High (NR-B)
Stephen Bradley and Armicor (ON-A)
Kim Cecere and Hindine (ON-B)
Zachary Brandt and City So Cool (ON-C)
Alston Kerr and Stolrn Silver (BNR)
Dani Sussman and Press Play (OBN)
Three Lakes H.T. [Website] [Results]
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfl5pz9BHEQ/?taken-at=1025198183
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfmhT6BDYCt/?tagged=threelakeshorsetrials
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfojZ0rF-J1/?taken-at=1025198183
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfpRZN7jOV0/?taken-at=1025198183
One thing is for sure: Three Lakes is a gorgeous place to be!
What an awesome way to spend a day… with your dog on a kayak watching horses jump!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfmE_7VgMs_/?taken-at=1025198183
Monday News and Notes from Fleeceworks
Shorts in February! Dressage Bit Check is on point. Looks like a friendly group! #pinetopeventing
Posted by Pine Top Eventing on Friday, February 23, 2018
After two long days of dressage, the bit check volunteers at Pine Top Farm were still smiling! The same group works this position at every Pine Top event, and they stay all weekend to help run a great show. It’s easy to get caught up in the emotion of competing, but please remember to always thank your volunteers!
National Holiday: National Pistachio Day
U.S. Weekend Preview:
Pine Top Advanced CIC & H.T. [Website] [Results]
Three Lakes H.T. [Website] [Results]
Monday News and Notes:
Of all the exercises Phillip Dutton has collected and filed away over the years, this is one of his favorites. It teaches horses and riders to keep coming forward through a turn and hold their line which is a critical skill for today’s technical courses. [Grid Pro Quo with Phillip Dutton]
The Transylvania Eventing Team had a great 2017 season with top ten finishes at the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championships and two sophomores finished in the top five on the Intercollegiate Leaderboard. [Champions of Change]
Riders will trade their boots for running shoes on April 22 when they tackle the 26.2-mile London Marathon in support of equine charities. [Army of riders to tackle London Marathon]
Hot on Horse Nation: This is Not Science
Monday Video: Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night on their way to winning Advanced at Pine Top Farm.
Posted by Liz Halliday on Sunday, February 25, 2018
Intermediate Divisions Wrap Up The Weekend at Pine Top Farm
Kevin Keane and Sportsfield Candy at Millbrook HT. Photo by Jenni Autry.
While the International levels had their fun on Friday, the action was still in full swing with four Intermediate divisions in the Pine Top Farm Advanced, CIC2*, CIC* and Horse Trials this weekend.
Kevin Keane and his own Sportsfield Candy made massive strides up the leaderboard to end up on top of the Intermediate A. The 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse scored a 36.9 on the flat for 15th, then jumped to 7th after show jumping and ultimately first after a double clear cross country round. A stellar start to their season at the first event back since their top 10 finish at Fair Hill last fall.
Second place belongs to Jacob Fletcher and Fletcher Farm’s Atlantic Domino. The 2015 USEA Adequan Gold Cup Champions started on a 32.2 and picked up 4.8 time penalties for a final score of 37.
Bennett’s Creek Farm’s Woodstock Bennett also started off his season on a high note with Ryan Wood in the tack picking up third place. 34.7 on the flat and four cross country time penalties gave them a three-phase score of 38.7.
The striking grey Bentley’s Best was the big winner of the Intermediate B division with Jessica Phoenix in the saddle. The 11-year-old Trakehner owned by The Bentley’s Best Group added just 1.6 time penalties to his sub-30 dressage score to finish on 27.8.
Courtney Cooper and Who’s A Star, a 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse/NZ Thoroughbred owned by Courtney & Neal Camens, followed in second. This pair kicked off the weekend on a 27.8 finishing cross country nine seconds over optimum time for a final result of 31.4.
Waylon Roberts and Ashley Macvaugh’s Born Ready snapped up third place on 32.6 points. The 9-year-old Thoroughbred had one rail down and 1.2 cross country time penalties for his top three position.
Therese Evans took home blue in the Intermediate Rider division with her own, Lynn Giltinan and Sarah Cherry’s Clover Joe. Starting their second season at the level, this pair earned a 32.2 in in the first phase and added only four cross country time penalties for a weekend result of 36.2.
Marley Stone Bourke piloted her own LVS Dassett Charisma to second place in this class, finishing squarely on their dressage score (40).
Third place belongs to Alex Reed and her own On Broadway. The 11-year-old Thoroughbred had two poles down after a dressage score of 35.7.
Sophie Click was the final Intermediate winner with her NAJYRC partner Fernhill Rising. Fresh off a top three finish at Pine Top’s Preliminary two weeks ago, these two earned a 34.8 in the first phase, had one rail down and a handful of time penalties for a final score of 40.4.
Alexa Gartenberg followed in second with her own Patras VR in their second start at the level. They had one rail and 6.4 cross country time penalties for a final mark of 48.7
Kaelen Speck rounds out the top three with her own Sweet Rebellion. Two rails down and a handful of time of cross country gave them a final score of 49.2.
It was a sun shine and blue sky weekend in Georgia. Congratulations to all those with successful rides this weekend!
Pine Top Advanced CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]
Sunday Video from Total Saddle Fit: The ‘Unflappable’ Sale Horse
Karen Teague of Brookby Heights International in New Zealand has already been crowned Sale Ad Queen. She’s not afraid to go over the top to prove her sale horses are as advertised. First she showed that Pumba was “good with children” and plastic bags + chickens. Now, she’s had a buyer ask if sale horse Kevin is “unflappable.” After watching this, we’d say yes.
From Karen: “A prospective buyer asked me if my dear girl Kevin was unflappable and if I had any video graphic evidence of this…. I didn’t so we did this. I would say she’s quite tolerant….. Love ya Kevin xxx”
Specifically for eventers, the StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth now comes in two shades of brown to match monoflap jump saddles! Let your horse move more freely and breathe easier by using the same girth as Tamra Smith. See them all here: totalsaddlefit.com.
