Classic Eventing Nation

Sunday Video from Total Saddle Fit: The ‘Unflappable’ Sale Horse

By on Feb 25, 2018 4:15 pm -

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.

 

The Joy Is In The Journey for Mallory Hogan & Clarissa Purisima

By on Feb 25, 2018 2:00 pm -

Mallory Hogan and Clarissa Purisima at the Woodside Preliminary Challenge. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

When a 13-year-old Mallory Hogan swung a leg over Clarissa Purisima for the first time, she couldn’t imagine where the keen red-headed Holsteiner mare would take her. From her first FEI event to a medaling at the North American Junior & Young Rider Championship, their road to success was paved with hours of practice in the partnership.

They left the start box for the first time together in 2014, quickly gaining confidence as they became more acquainted, and less than two years later they moved up to Preliminary.

“Things started coming together really fast. She was a really quick learner, so I moved up to Preliminary my second season of having her and from there we ran a season of Prelim,” Mallory explained. “Not focusing on doing really well, just gaining mileage so that when I came out last season at the Prelim/1* level I could really focus on working up the leaderboard and really going out there to be competitive.”

Taking the time to get comfortable at the level paid off in spades. Their dressage scores were getting lower, they were getting quicker across country and finding themselves much more competitive in 2017 – finding that all the pieces were falling perfectly in place.

“It was a little overwhelming when I came out that season and all the work I had put in kind of started to pay off. I started going to shows and she was scoring a lot better on the flat and felt a lot more confident in the ring,” she explained.

“I think that was a lot of just going in show after show and just getting experience. When she was green,  she was kind of a horse to be a different ride every time out, so after a couple seasons I feel so comfortable with her and her with me. We’ve really formed a relationship that I could take to the ring and feel good about and feel good about stepping up to the next level and going in there to show off what we worked so hard for.”

Mallory Hogan and Clarissa Purisima. Photo by Shelby Allen.

With eyes on representing Area VI at NAJYRC, Mallory and Clarissa proved they had what it takes after winning the Woodside Preliminary Challenge start to finish in May. It was a direct path from there to Rebecca Farm, where they earned both team gold and individual bronze.

“It was such an amazing experience. I felt like that whole weekend came together so perfectly. From the girls I had with me on the Area VI team who were so supportive, the coaches, the parents, the sponsors, and then the Broussards for hosting the event and putting so much into it and making us feel so special. For my first NAJYRC experience it exceeded every expectation I had.”

Young Riders was much more than a big competition for Mallory, it was a chance to spotlight her and Clarissa’s special partnership.

“Before my first phase my trainer said, ‘take a deep breath and go enjoy the moment because all the work you’ve done to this moment, it took a long time. Go show off what you’ve got.’ That resonated with me because it’s so true – to put so much pressure on these big competitions,” she commented. “When I heard her say that I just let it sink in and just thought to myself wow this really is a big moment and I don’t want to get so caught up with myself. Its more of it being a showcase for the work we put in.”

Area VI, NAJYRC 1* gold medalists! Photo by Leslie Wylie.

So she did, she took the time to remember her experience and let it all sink in, and by the fall she once again was rewarded for her hard work with a spot on the USEF Emerging Athlete Eventing 18 Training List. This took her to Southern California to train with USEF Developing Rider coach Leslie Law.

“I went down there and it wasn’t like any normal clinic I’ve ever done. It was the most educational clinic experience I’ve ever had. Leslie was so incredibly knowledgeable. Going down there with the girls on the list, it was such a good group of riders, and being able to watch one another, even though it wasn’t our horse, just watching and seeing what he had to say all across the training board was so educational.”

It was really refreshing because Leslie just talked to us like we were all young professionals. He really focuses on the horse and really makes it about the training, and the training you put it will eventually give you the competitive results.”

For Clarissa, the Leslie asked Mallory to focus on straightness, and always circle back to the training pyramid during lessons. “We know each other so well and sometimes that can get in the way, so really just working on settling and letting her find me. I think in the end that will produce nicer tests and allow us to have a more relaxed look in the show ring,” Mallory smiled. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BetYS7BDikw/?taken-by=mheventing_

Last year was all about showcasing their partnership, and Mallory wants 2018 to build on that. They are aimed at the Intermediate at Twin Rivers in Paso Robles, California. While she has eyes on another Young Riders appearance this summer, the ultimate goal is to continue to gain confidence and become competitive at the Intermediate/two-star level. For Mallory, the joy is in the journey.

“I definitely love this sport, love the training, love every aspect of riding enough to want to make this my career and my business. I’m also lucky to have a sister (Madison) who is just a as devoted. We’ve always dreamed of having a business together. Looking into the future Id love to keep riding and keep expanding my horizons.”

“Looking past graduating high school, I’d love to bring her east and become a working student and really just focus on gaining all the knowledge I can to understand what it takes to become a professional rider and run a business in the sport.”

 

 

Returning to Play: Restarting After Injury

By on Feb 25, 2018 11:00 am -

Photo by Shelby Allen.

Sometimes our inside voices just aren’t loud enough to save us from unseen dangers with horses, and let’s face it, we’ve all been there – made the expedient move, instead of the smart move, and paid the consequences.

One of the problems with getting older is guess what? You don’t heal as well as you used to. In my case, it hurts for a longer and more intense period of time, and rehab wasn’t a given. I was totally surprised, at first, by the amount of time it took to heal from my major injury and how weak I was when I got back to riding.

I have to credit my experience with rehabbing racehorses for a gem of wisdom I used that I think helped me. It’s the concept of “tack walking.” This is simply tacking up the horse and walking it in hand. It’s a way of schooling young racehorses, it’s often used for rehab purposes or for calming, and sometimes a training technique. I’ve used it on rehabbing horses who were meant to be ridden when coming back to work, where lunging was not indicated. Walking in hand, while the horse is tacked, has a number of super advantages for an older rider

  • It’s warmup for me. Walking for a few minutes in the arena footing is a great warmup, especially if it’s a bit deep and soft – lots of good exercise in that
  • I position myself to walk the horse approximately at the place where the neck joins the horse’s shoulder, with the reins over the horse’s head, my right hand near the bit and left hand holding the end of both reins.
  • I walk my horse in the exact pattern I expect to ride in the ring – past other horses, around jumps, past things, in the 20m circle I hope to be riding, or around the outside edge of the ring, seeing everything. It’s important to see the track you’ll ride, and walk it with both of you.
  • There’s a reason for that – I want to see how the horse reacts to the doorways, horses, jumps, etc. in that pattern, BEFORE I’m in the saddle trying to hang on. If my horse reacts – to anything – while I’m leading him, then I am forewarned about his behavior while I may be mounted, and WHERE it might happen.
  • Walking with your horse is going to give you an idea of how your horse feels that day, before you put your foot in the stirrup, or make lunging plans. I will know from walking beside him for a few turns around the ring how aware he is today, how fired up or how quiet he may be.
  • You want him to walk beside you, marching along, not towing you and not dragging along behind. If he invades your space or bangs into you, correct him and establish pecking order right from the first step into the ring. If he drags behind and acts uninterested, bring the dressage whip with you, reinforce your “cluck” aid and encourage him to walk up correctly beside you. This helps you get him prepared for receiving direction once you are in the saddle, and it sounds like a small thing, but it can make a difference mentally to the horse.
  • Those things – setting the tone, checking the attitude, and familiarizing with the ring – all help me, because I don’t have the reaction time I had when I was 20. I am less able to make a save now than I was as a young rider, and those facts are what they are. So knowing what might be coming or where to expect a teleport practice is going to forewarn me!

Here’s what to keep in mind as you return to riding after rehabbing:

  • Lead him to the mounting block and park him. Literally. The “sit and stay” of the horse world – the mounting block needs to be a place where movement only happens by your direction. The horses that explode once you get on them, or freak out when you drag a foot over their but when mounting – these are the things that terrify me, and I want to do everything I can to prevent accidents when I am at a vulnerable position, on one leg, while mounting. I want my horses to be comfortable, quiet, accepting and standing at the mounting block no matter what. So take your time there even with an apparently broke and well trained horse. (I don’t try to mount from the ground.)
  • Have you stretched yourself? Bend at the waist, touch your toes with both hands; bend your knee, one leg at a time, pulling the bent knee up to your chest while standing on one foot, then the other leg; lunge, using the mounting block steps; do some arm windmills; trunk twists; etc. I do stretch most of the time before I mount, just a couple of minutes’ worth, but it’s very helpful for me. I know there are great riding exercises one can do and probably experts who can chime in with complete workout regimens – but just stretch, somehow, before you get in the saddle.
  • Listen to the little voices. Does the horse just not seem like they want to be ridden today? Is there something not quite right about the way they are walking – too tense? Something noisy outside the ring, something scary coming down the road, what if the wind blows a tree branch across the indoor roof? Am I ready?
  • Don’t think your seat will save you. Make sure your legs are ready for catching your balance – make rising to a two-point one of the first things you do when you mount, stretching your heels down, feel the horse’s sides with your calf, allow your shoulders to be square and back straight.  And occasionally while riding, walk, stay on a circle for control, and check that your two-point still works.
  • For goodness’ sake, shorten your reins. My biggest problem! The worst excuse for falling off I have ever heard was, “I didn’t want to hang on his mouth,” so they left the reins long – literally having no control when the horse threw his head up and the reins were 14 inches too long. We just can’t reef in that much rein in time to make an adjustment in steering. Ride with a shorter rein than you think you need. If it is a well trained horse, it’s used to being ridden on contact. Along with that goes the mantra – “let go”. If you are going, don’t hang on; another hard thing to do!
  • Don’t look down (again, one of my problems) and don’t ride with a narrow focus. Keep your chin up and head turning, and take in what is going on – so you can be prepared BEFORE your horse sees the cat jump out of the rafters onto the arena fence. It’s always a good plan to stay on a circle with your horse slightly bent in direction of travel when we are just getting back started. Safer for you and correct for your horse.
  • RELAX. When I started back riding after my injury and rehab, I was a bit worried about my fitness and balance and about the fitness of my horse. I had to get over that worry, and just take it slow. I wasn’t able to ride for an hour first time back. I had to be happy with 15 minutes, and most of that at walk. But I pushed a little more each day back and soon, by the end of the month, I was up to 30 minutes of riding time and able to stay comfortable at all three gaits. I made it organized – today a circle and a half at posting trot, tomorrow, twice around; next day, three times around and so on.
  • Everyone’s experience is different and everyone’s horses are different. Be patient with yourself and your healing process, and with your horse. If you think your horse would be better for you if ridden first by a more able person before you sit on, then do it. Same for lunging. If you think it might be a good idea, then do it.
  • Expect rusty – in everything. Posting will be hard. Your legs and back will hurt. The amount of contact with the reins will be confusing. Stirrups are going to feel short, and you may adjust them a few times before they feel OK again.
  • Don’t let how you feel today make you sad or depressed. Believe in the process and give it time. I ripped off the lowest dressage score I have ever had in a recognized event a year AFTER I had my injury, so you can get back to form and back to competing and riding just as good if not better than you were before injury! Just be smart about your restart! Good luck!

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: This One’s For the Girls

By on Feb 25, 2018 9:00 am -

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

There’s nothing like having a good mare as your partner in crime. Here are five eventing mares in search of their next rider.

Cinderella. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Talented Mare Winning At Training Level

Cinderella is a 16 hand 2011 Thoroughbred mare. She raced in Canada about 4 times and was just much too fancy for that line of work. Her jockey club name was Eirenic. Cinna has beautiful movement on the flat. She is bold on Cross Country, never looks at anything and careful in show jump. She goes all three phases in a loose ring snaffle.

She has placed top 2 in her first 3 training level events this season. Cinna has an excellent brain, nothing seems to phase her. She behaves just as calm and quiet at shows as she does at home. Perfect horse for a YR or AA. She definitely has potential for 1* and would be an excellent candidate for NAJYRC in 2019. No vices, No soundness issues or injuries and no maintenance. Located in South Carolina.

Step Three. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Young OTTB-Ready to move up the levels!

“Step Three” is a 2013, 16 h, OTTB mare by Spanish Steps. Finished 6th in a big Young Event Horse (4 year old) division at Exmoor last Spring, earning excellent scores on her jump and gallop. Won her first beginner novice competition in October, 2017. Recently placed 8th in a very competitive open novice division at Ocala Winter I, finishing on her dressage score (32.9).

Athletic, bold, sharp, and willing young horse. Goes in a happy mouth for all three phases. Correctly started and ready to produce your way. Would also be very competitive in the jumper ring. Located in Florida.

Fashion Forward. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Classy FEI 1* / Intermediate Schoolmaster

Fashion Forward, 2009 Holsteiner Mare, By Carracci II out of Gamine de Jacquet. “Trendy” is a young rider’s dream horse and a parent’s insurance policy. This is truly the most lovely horse to have in the barn and to ride everyday. She is brave, amazingly genuine and straight forward, especially on cross country.

Goes in a snaffle all three phases. Very kind about mistakes and does not hold a grudge. She would be a wonderful teacher, quiet and kind enough that a young child could start off at beginner novice and go all the way up the levels, or a young rider/amateur could get started competing on her right away.

I cannot stress how fun, easy, and kind this mare is to jump. Plenty of scope with a great hind end. With three lovely gaits, the scores will keep improving, easily a 20s horse in another 6 months as she continues to develop her knowledge and strength on the flat. Very trainable and does not have a bad bone in her body. Extremely low maintenance, not marish and gets along well with other horses. Motivated seller but good home is a must. Located in Florida.

Maddie. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

STUNNING CCI 1* Bay mare, perfect YR, AA, or PRO

“Maddie” is a fancy, athletic 10 year old, bay Trakehner mare with a deep pedigree. Standing at 16.2 hh she is a powerful jumper and exceptional mover. Madeline is very easy to ride, has a wonderful personality and is very brave. She is currently showing at the CCI 1* level with plenty of scope for more. Blyth’s Madeline GS is a perfect partner for a Young Rider competitor or could be any professional’s horse to proceed up the FEI levels. Her value will increase with development.

Maddie’s sire is Heling of Galten Farms, owned by the Schickedanz family, who were founding members of the American Trakehner Association. Many Galten offspring have become Olympic, World Cup, World Championship, and Pan American games medalists.

The late HELING is one of the top stallions in the Trakehner Verband. He was the # 1 living producer of overall gaits (combined walk/trot/canter) and the # 1 producer of the walk. With an overall score of 142 points for total breed value, he is placed in the top 10 of all of Germany. He is a son of the international 3-Day Event horse BUKEPHALOS, who was fourth at the German national 3-Day Event Championships in 1990, qualifying him for the European Championships held in Burghley, England. Located in Florida.

Hopscotch. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Hopscotch- 2012 Grey KWPN Mare

Feisty is a 2012 grey 15.2 KWPN mare (Special Memories, by Abdullah x Vidalia, by Contango). Beautifully bred to jump with enough blood to gallop, Feisty has a great start to her eventing career. Always finishing on her dressage score, Feisty finished third at her first event and won the second.

In September of 2016, Feisty won the Novice division at Bucks County Horse Park Fall H.T.! That October, Fiesty went on to win again on her dressage score of 23.3 the Novice Horse division at the Radnor Hunt H.T. and has successfully made the move up to training level! She finished 2nd at the 2016 Fair Hill Young Event Horse Championships on her impressive score of 86.85.

Feisty has three fancy paces, and a scopey jump with excellent technique behind. Suitable for a confident and ambitious young rider, professional, or adult to produce into a wonderful partner in Eventing or show jumping. Currently being campaigned by a teenager. Located in Florida.

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

Sunday Links Presented by One K Helmets

By on Feb 25, 2018 12:01 am -

Can I have a cookie pleeeeeaassseeee? Who can resist this face? My own horse knows it so well. He also knows I’m a complete sucker, and there’s a 100% chance that I have a treat in one of my pockets. Who has trained who?

National Holiday: National Clam Chowder Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Pine Top Advanced CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

Three Lakes H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Results]

Sunday Links: 

Grid Pro Quo with Phillip Dutton

Help name the first jump on the 2018 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event XC course!

Wild horses: Are they being managed to extinction?

Cheers! New ‘horsey’ gin features apples, carrots… and hay

100,000 watch vet videos to help improve horse behaviour

Are horse owners ready for climate change extremes?

Hi! My Name Is Daniel And I’m A Horse Husband

Sunday Video:

Best of JN: How to Desensitize your RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Mount

By on Feb 24, 2018 3:00 pm -

There are plenty rules of thumb regarding how to properly acclimate an OTTB to his/her new career in the hunter/jumper industry. Ground poles, lots of turnout, haul them around to plenty of shows so they can get a feel for the environment, the list goes on and on.

The team at Brookwood Farm Sport Horses in Conyers, Georgia decided to try a new approach for preparing their 2018 mount, Frankie, for life after the track. Watch as his rider, Kaelya Markl, introduces Frankie to a wee bit of yard work.

JC Name: Franchitti is a 2012 gelding who tried his hand….err…hoof at racing a whopping six times, only to bring home lifetime earnings of a whopping $785. Despite his less than successful race career, it appears as if Frankie is loving life off the track and taking every little step in stride.

Here’s to OTTBs and their awesome sense of adaptability. Now….where did I put that leaf blower?

Go Jumping!

Product Review: Ariat Olympia Breeches

By on Feb 24, 2018 11:00 am -

The Ariat Olympia – your new favorite breeches. Photo by Kody Laseter.

Finding the perfect breeches that look the part while standing up to the demanding lifestyle of an eventer can be a tall order. Where many other pairs fall short, the Ariat Olympia breech steps up to the plate.

As shallow as it sounds, I’d like to start by saying these pants are simply smart looking! Durability and comfort rank near the top of my list, but those never seem to matter as much when your breeches make you look frumpy. The Schoeller®-Prestige material gives a flattering silhouette without restricting your freedom of movement.

The detailing brings these breeches to the next level. Also note the V in the waistband for stretch and comfort. Photo by Kody Laseter.

The double stitching on the pockets and suede full seat/knee patches offer a unique and polished look. While we’re on the subject, these pockets rock! When I first upgraded my iPhone, I couldn’t securely fit my it in my pocket, but that was never an issue with my Olympias. The size, as well as the stretchy fabric, means my entire phone fits securely in my pocket, giving me peace of mind when I’m riding.

 

No detail is overlooked in the Ariat Olympias. Photo by Kody Laseter.

These breeches have a mid-rise fit with a waistband that feels snug, but not constricted. This is thanks to Ariat’s V3 technology. You can focus on your riding while the stretchy V in the waistband allows you freedom of movement without the awful gaping some other breeches give you.

While style and durability are admittedly my biggest draw to these breeches, comfort is also a priority high on my list. Made of cotton twill, the fabric is fantastic. This is my most breathable pair of breeches – a must if you spend your summers riding in the south. The stretch it offers is just not just appreciated – it’s necessary if you’re an adult amateur like me that can’t guarantee that you’ll always ride in a conventional (stay in the saddle) way.

Photo by Kody Laseter.

The Ariat Olympias come in both full seat and knee patch. Made of Clarino™ material, these offer traction without sacrificing weight, flexibility or breathability. The CFS™ Calf Fit System also provides a snug fit to a variety of calf sizes while staying in place.

Best of all, these breeches last! While I just got the new black pair, my brown knee patch pair is 5 years old and they still look just a striking as the season I got them.  These are my longest lasting breeches, making them well worth the cost.

Breeches that still shine after five years of use. Photo by Kody Laster.

The Schoeller®-Prestige material maintains its stretch over time without sagging, giving you a polished look over many years. Schoeller also employs their “self-cleaning” Nanosphere technology to keep these breeches looking their best. The fabric is finely-structured, preventing dirt and water from adhering to the material.

The fabric is soft to the touch and gives the right amount of stretch. From the waistband down to the calves, they stay in place making it easy to wear them all day. Because of the comfort, durability and style, these are my go to for clinics, lessons or any opportunity where I need to look and feel my best.

Ariat Olympia breeches are available in both knee patch and full seat options beginning at $209.95. You can purchase them directly from Ariat. Click here to explore all the technology that goes into Ariat products.

Pine Top Farm Kicks Off East Coast FEI Eventing Season

By on Feb 24, 2018 8:30 am -

Jonathan Holling and Sportsfield Two Doors Down. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.

Pine Top Farm in Thomson, Ga., hosted the East Coast’s first FEI event of the season at the Pine Top Farm Advanced, CIC2*, CIC* and Horse Trials. The FEI and Advanced divisions completed a one-day format competition Friday. An especially foggy morning gave way to a gorgeous sunny afternoon and a great day for eventing.

Being early the season, every combination is stretching their legs with a different goal in mind. Some are looking for qualifications, others are preparing to move up, and still others are new to the level or knocking the rust off after winter. For that reason, cross country time penalties came in to play in each division as some horses need a good fitness run and some horses just need a quiet, confident canter around. Whatever the objective, Pine Top’s wide open gallops, world-class courses and #gooddirt is a great place to start the season.

Jonathan Holling and the Two Doors Down Group, LLC’s 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare, Sportsfield Two Doors Down, started out in eighth place in the CIC2* after dressage. After a double clear show jumping round over Chris Barnard’s testing course in a large grass arena, they carried a two-phase score of 32.8 through to the Derek di Grazia designed cross country course. Adding just 1.2 time penalties in the final phase, they moved up to win the division by narrow margin.

Holly Payne Caravella and the elegant gray CharmKing, owned by CharmKing LLC, were second after dressage on 30.4. A single rail dropped them to fifth place and while they were one of only a handful of pairs to finish inside the time on cross country, putting them on a final score of 34.4 for second place in the 7-year-old German-bred Holsteiner-TB’s first start at the level.

Emily Beshear and Jennifer Eisenbrandt’s 11-year-old Oldenburg, Olney Uncle Sam, were another pair to have a fault-free cross country run, finishing right on the optimum time of 6:19. They added only four faults from show jumping to their dressage score, placing third on 34.5.

Katie Lichten and Sapphire Blue B. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.

Lindsay Beer (CAN) and Penny Beer’s 16-year-old Trakehner, El Paso, moved up from seventh after dressage to finish in fourth, having added 2.8 cross country time penalties for a final score of 35.3. Dressage leaders Boyd Martin and Christine Turner’s 11-year-old Trakehner, Tsetserleg, were clear in both jumping phases but added 5.6 time penalties across the country, finishing fifth.

Sixth place Katie Lichten and Harold Lichten’s 12-year-old Hanoverian, RF Luminati, were one of only two pairs in the division of 22 starters to finish on their dressage score (36.1) in their very first attempt at the level. The other combination to earn an FOD was Nilson Moreira da Silva and L&N Equestrian’s 12-year-old Thoroughbred mare, Lady Colina, who moved up from 22nd after dressage to finish in 12th on 44.5.

Looking to the CIC*, Katie Lichten had another great result, winning the division on her dressage score of 27.8 with her 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse, Sapphire Blue B. They were second after dressage but moved ahead of Jonathan Holling and Team Holling LLC’s 7-year-old Holsteiner mare, Dalanteretto, who added 2.8 time penalties on cross country for second place and a final score of 28.6.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Anna Kjellstrom’s 9-year-old Thoroughbred, Run Marvin Run, were sixth after the first two phases, adding a rail to their dressage score of 32.0, but a fault-free cross country run moved them up to round out the top three in the gelding’s first FEI appearance.

Sloane Pierpont and Charles Pierpont’s 13-year-old Anglo European gelding, Indie, moved from seventh to fourth after a clear and fast run cross country round, finishing on 37.2. Courtney Cooper and the Dare to Dream Team’s 9-year-old Holsteiner Tender Bravissimo show jumped clear for a two phase score of 31.4. Courtney and “Whiskers” added 9.2 time on cross country to finish fifth.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.

Two Advanced divisions were split based on which dressage test was ridden (Test A or Test B). Twenty-five horses started in division A while 12 horses practiced the more difficult Test B as they gear up for a big spring season.

Liz Halliday-Sharp claimed the top two spots in Advanced A. She led from start to finish with her long time partner Fernhill By Night, a 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by Deborah Halliday. They finished on their dressage score of 26.6. The Deniro Syndicate’s 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood, Deniro Z, tucked into second behind his stablemate with a 33.2.

Kim Severson and the Cross Syndicate’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse, Cooley Cross Border, scored a 27.0 to sit second after dressage. A handful of time penalties on cross country put them on a finishing score of 33.8 for third place in the gelding’s first FEI run since winning the Blenheim CCI3* last September.

Doug Payne took fourth with Vandiver, a 14-year-old Trakehner owned by Doug and his wife Jessica along with the gelding’s breeder Debi Crowley, who was running his first event since finishing 14th in the Blenheim CCI3*. Doug also placed fifth with Lisa Wall’s Oldenburg, Getaway, in the 11-year-old’s first Advanced run.

Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue D’Argouges. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.

In Advanced B, Colleen Loach (CAN) and Peter Barry’s 14-year-old Selle Français, Qorry Blue D’Argouges, moved up from third after the first two phases to finish second on 39.5, adding only 2.0 time penalties on cross country.

Boyd Martin and the Long Island T Syndicate’s 12-year-old Oldenburg/Thoroughbred, Long Island T, held firm to second throughout, jumping clean but adding 10.8 time across the country.

Colleen Rutledge and her 12-year-old homebred Clydesdale/Thoroughbred, Covert Rights, led the division after dressage and a show jumping. They added 11.2 time on cross country for a 42.9 and third place in their first run since the Fair Hill International CCI3* last October, where they finished ninth..

The Intermediate, Preliminary and Training competitors get underway with their competition bright and early Saturday morning. Click the link below to follow live scores and find Pine Top Eventing on Facebook for live updates and video clips from the event.

EN would like to extend a warm welcome to Liz Crawley, the new official photographer of Pine Top Farm Horse Trials. You’ll recognize her work from Chattahoochee Hills, FENCE and numerous other events in the Southeast. Check out her website and order competition pics at www.lizcrawley.com and follow Liz Crawley Photography on Facebook.

Pine Top Advanced CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on Feb 24, 2018 12:01 am -

Screenshot via Shelley Howerton Page on Facebook.

The “Gone With The Winded” team at Poplar Place’s Sexy and Seasoned Amoeba Challenge spiced things up with themed job outfits! How would you feel about themed jogs at events, EN? Personally, I’d have enough trouble coming up with a nice enough regular jog outfit that I’d just be stumped if I had to fit a theme. #Respect to these ladies!

National Holiday: National Tortilla Chip Day (Should have been the same day as National Margarita Day IMHO)

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Pine Top Advanced CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

Three Lakes H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Results]

Saturday Links:

All Eyes on FEH Conformation on Day Four of the 2018 Educational Symposium

Help name the first jump on the 2018 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event XC course!

PODCAST: The Next Generation: Eventing 18 Winter Training Sessions

Hi! My Name Is Daniel And I’m A Horse Husband

USEA Events A-Z: Fitch’s Corner Horse Trials

British eventers could be fined £500 for pulling up to avoid time penalties

Managing The ‘Creaky’ Performance Horse

Saturday Video: Get psyched for WEG!

#Together

We grow with them. We learn from them. We live for them. Now, it's time for us to come #Together to celebrate them. Join us this September to celebrate the horse, celebrate the sport at #Tryon2018. Click here for details – http://bit.ly/2oq09iq

Posted by Tryon2018 on Friday, February 23, 2018

Friday Video from World Equestrian Brands: Welcome to the Wild West

By on Feb 23, 2018 6:00 pm -

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ4E1COnHOJ/

Grit and graft, triumph and tears, heart and hardships — these are concepts we’re all familiar with. For every ditch we leap, every test we conquer, ever fear we face, we have to learn to fall down, hard, and still get back up.

The disciplines we choose to inhabit in the horse world might feel like microcosms, but they’re all linked — and we’re all linked — by the indomitable resilience that propels us. That’s why this week’s Friday video focuses on something a little different, but teeming with a tenacity we all recognise.

The 500 Miles Project was launched at the beginning of 2017 by Horses and Heroes, a 501(c)3 veteran rehabilitation program which aims to do more than simply support its beneficiaries — instead, it helps provide them the tools and the purpose to rebuild their own lives, by working with BLM mustangs. The Project saw 15 new equine recruits undergo a three-month training process, before embarking upon a 560 mile ridden journey to Arizona, where they would be matched with a combat veteran.

“50,000 wild horses live in the BLM facilities, while there are only about half of that number in the wild,” said Micah Fink, CEO of Heroes and Horses. “Just like these mustangs, our nation’s veterans face grim statistics: homelessness, joblessness, escalating suicide and addiction rates. What is the real problem society is facing, veterans are facing, and that wild horses are facing? The current response has been more medication, more land, more money, more counseling, better holding facilities — but it’s not working, none of it is. We are missing the greater lesson of life. It’s not about excuses and explanations and stories about how hard you’ve had it. It’s about why we are here, and what life is all about, and the lessons we need to learn. It’s a story about purpose, how life makes room for us, or anything for that matter. I decided to share that story and to show that process though 500 Miles – the story of the un-purposed horse, and the un-purposed human-being.”

The remarkable documentary shows the highs and lows of that journey — “one of the hardest things I have ever done” — and explores not just the relationship between man and horse, but the paradigm shift of plumbing your lowest depths and making it back to the surface again.

Every human being has a 500, says Micah. What’s yours — and how can you find your way to its final mile?