Classic Eventing Nation

Irish Olympian Joseph Murphy Returning to Ocala for March Clinic

By on Feb 17, 2018 1:16 pm -

Joseph Murphy teaching at Horsepower Equestrian. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Following his successful cross country clinic in Ocala, Florida earlier this month, Irish Olympian Joseph Murphy has announced he is making a return trip to Horsepower Equestrian on March 11-13 to get horses and riders tuned up for the competition season.

Whether you want to build confidence on cross country for yourself or your horse, sharpen your jumping skills, or simply have a fabulous time riding with one of Ireland’s best, there is something for everyone at Joseph’s clinics.

The three-day clinic is open to riders and horses of all levels, from Beginner Novice to Advanced, and all will walk away having gained an immense amount of knowledge and new tools to use on cross country going forward for the season.

“I assess the riders and the horses and see what level I can get them to in their training in a short space of time,” Joseph said. “When the riders go away from the clinic, I want them to have the tools to be able to progress their horses from what I have done to what they can do on their own.”

Lisa Hickey and No Pips at Joseph Murphy’s February clinic. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Joseph certainly challenged riders in his February clinic, and he said he was delighted with their progress and is looking forward to returning. “Some of them were out of their comfort zone because of what I was asking them to do, but I thought their attitude and reaction was really good.”

Feedback has been very positive from the riders who participated in Joseph’s February clinic. Click here to read EN’s full clinic report. Read on for a sampling of what other riders had to say:

Jeanie Clarke: “Best cross country training I have ever had. It’s about riding, thinking, reacting, confidence and athleticism. Do it.”

Marcea Funk: “Every rider was challenged on becoming a better class of rider for the horses. Joseph found all our weaknesses quickly and proved how important it was mentally to stay focused, especially with how challenging our courses are becoming.”

Julieann Prettyman: “Joseph gave me the confidence to not only ask harder questions and jump bigger things but also to make mistakes and embrace them as part of the learning curve with the younger horses.”

Jimmie Schramm: “He methodically worked with every pair as he would if he were training his own horse, ticking off the boxes of what the horse and rider were proficient at and what needed to be addressed and worked through.”

Jean Thomas and Connor at Joseph Murphy’s February clinic. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The cost for Joseph’s clinic on March 11-13 is $150 for one day, $290 for two days and $420 for all three days; the facility fee for Horsepower Equestrian is included. Lessons are small group sessions and approximately 80 minutes long. Auditors are welcome!

Riders who return for multiple days will be challenged with different exercises building on the previous days. Only early morning sessions will be available on the third day, which will focus on simulating a competition type of scenario.

For more information or to book, email [email protected] and include the level of horse and rider. Limited stalls are available and can be reserved by contacting Liz Halliday-Sharp at [email protected]. Spots are expected to fill quickly, so don’t wait! Join the clinic event page on Facebook here.

Many thanks to Al Sharp and Liz Halliday-Sharp for hosting at their stunning facility. If you haven’t yet ridden at Horsepower Equestrian, this is an excellent opportunity to do so. The cross country course designed by Pan American Games course builder Greg Schlappi is one of the best private facilities in Ocala.

Learn more about Joseph on his website and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Go Eventing.

Winter Training Tips with Sally Cousins: Training Against Nature

By on Feb 17, 2018 11:09 am -

With the winter enveloping us, it’s the perfect time to sit back and contemplate how to achieve greater success in 2018 in our lives with horses. As riders, we never stop questing for improvement and learning how to be a better horseman is a lifelong journey. Sally Cousins has more experience in her little finger than many of us can hope to ever garner, and she’s delighted to be part of our Winter Training Tips series, hoping to inspire and educate with little nuggets of wisdom.

Sally Cousins and Tsunami. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

We all have strengths and weaknesses, as do our horses — how we improve is to work on our weaknesses. It is tempting to follow current trends in training our horses and it is often unpopular as an instructor to be telling students things they are not hearing elsewhere.

If your horse has a short stride and jumps comfortably that way, our work with that horse should be to lengthen the stride and work on medium distances. The whole point of course design is to test our horses out of a variety of distances that require many different canters. The majority of the lines in show jumping are at 12 feet. If your horse prefers a 14-foot stride and leaving the ground off an open distance, then practicing the small canter to a waiting distance makes sense.

If your horse is most comfortable at a 10-foot stride and jumping from a short distance, then working to make the horse travel on a 12-foot stride without it feeling like you are galloping at the jumps is important. We need to teach them to lengthen in a relaxed manner so they don’t get frantic when we have to jump through a combination set slightly long.

If your horse’s strength is cross country, and its weakness is dressage, it is important to get more instruction for that phase. (Having said that make sure you have schooled any new cross country questions you might see if you plan to move up.) If show jumping is difficult for you or your horse, spend more time on jumps in the ring. One note about instructors who are strictly dressage or show jumping trainers: I find it helpful if they have an understanding about eventing and how the phases relate to each other.

It is helpful to go to dressage and jumper shows, especially if you or your horse gets nervous in the ring. It is important to remember that this is good practice but it does not take the place of having an instructor help you develop a new skill set!

As riders and trainers we need to develop the “tools in our tool box” so that when we are faced with a training issue, we have many things to try if the first one doesn’t work.  If you work with an experienced trainer they may have four or five things to try next!

‘Winter’ Wonderland: Sights & Sounds from Paradise Farm’s February HT

By on Feb 17, 2018 9:00 am -

Susan Thomas and Frankly My Dear. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Sunny & 75 in February? Yes, Please! Welcome to winter in Aiken.

Paradise Farm hosted a bustling one-day event Friday with Beginner Novice through Preliminary levels. It was a full day practically running from sun-up to sundown with all three phases making it a true three-ring circus.

Ryan Wood and Fernhill Flame. Photo by Shelby Allen.

In Friday’s Preliminary division, Ryan Wood was the big winner aboard Curran Simpson’s Fernhill Flame. The striking 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse is now sitting on two consecutive wins in his first introduction to the level.

Kate Brown and Carnaby. Photo by Shelby Allen.

In all, it was a spectacular day in Aiken. As usual, Lellie Ward’s farm was fantastically turned out (it’s for sale!) with inviting, yet challenging courses with features that make the courses feel world-class – like the Helsinki on the Novice course pictured above.

Happy horse jump on a sunset course walk. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Admittedly, it has been a few years since I’d been to Paradise, but my visit on Friday makes me wish I had a horse to take back myself!

Doug Payne and 4-year-old Camarillo, who was tackling his first Beginner Novice. Photo by Shelby Allen.

This is such a fun time of year to be in Aiken. Events feel especially busy with the influx of snowbirds to the area, and you get to see all kinds of their rides from top horses kicking off the season, to babies learning the sport for the first time.

Photo by Shelby Allen.

As a University of Georgia alumna, it was also super to see a group of students sporting their red and black on the cross country course!

Lindsey Beer & Timothy. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Photo by Shelby Allen.

Overall, it was a super event, with much of the credit going to the competition’s hard working volunteers. Following a successful one-day yesterday, Paradise Farm is holding a two-day horse trials this weekend. The chinchillas would like to wish good luck to all those riding this weekend!  Go eventing.

Paradise Farm H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on Feb 17, 2018 12:01 am -

Northeastern eventers have been blessed this week with some warmer weather which brings respite from a bitterly cold early winter. It’s great to see ‘grams popping up of folks spending time with their horses without having to bundle up so much that they look like the Michelin Man. Just four more weeks until spring – we can do it!

National Holiday: National Random Acts of Kindness Day

U.S. Weekend Action:

Rocking Horse Winter II H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

Paradise Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Results]

Fresno County Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Results]

Saturday Links:

Former riders in the running for medals at Winter Olympics

Dressage for a Jumper? The Secret Weapon Behind Royce’s Success with Margie Engle

Breast-related barriers to horse riding widely reported among women in study

Incorporating Equine Learning Principles Into Veterinary Practice

Hot on Horse Nation: When to Speak Up: Red Flags & Warning Signs for Reporting Abuse

Saturday Video: It me.

https://www.facebook.com/131747207413050/videos/188312165089887/

Friday Video from World Equestrian Brands: An OTTB and a Stroke of Genius

By on Feb 16, 2018 7:35 pm -

Metro the ex-racehorse practices his skills for a new category in the 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover. (Not really.)

On the 2nd of February, 794 lucky equestrians across America found out that they’d be taking part in this year’s Thoroughbred Makeover and, as such, playing a pivotal role in demonstrating how game and multi-talented off-the-track Thoroughbreds are. This is seriously good news, not just for those lucky trainers and horses who will get to reap the rewards of the program, but also for supporters and admirers of OTTBs everywhere. The Thoroughbred horse is back in style, baby!

Metro Meteor the ex-racehorse wasn’t quite sound enough to pursue a second competitive career, but that didn’t stop him – or his enterprising owners – from working on a new skill. Check out this four-legged Banksy’s oeuvre – who wouldn’t want a horse who pays his own vet bills?!

With a little help from dad: Metro’s colourful brushstrokes and owner Ron Krajewski’s details make for a fitting ode to the horse’s former career.

Not only have Metro’s paintings funded the expensive management of his advanced arthritis, they have also helped to give his fellow OTTBs a fresh hope. With 50% of the proceeds of each painting benefiting New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, Metro has raised over $80,000 for his four-legged friends.

Soon, however, Metro will soon be hanging up his brushes and retiring with his best friend Pork Chop. If you’d like to see more of his artwork – or even buy an original of your own, and help OTTBs into the bargain – check out his website here.

Go Thoroughbreds!

USEF: Failure to Report Suspected Sexual Abuse & Misconduct Is a Crime

By on Feb 16, 2018 12:15 pm -

Logos via US Equestrian and U.S. Center for Safe Sport.

Following a letter issued to members yesterday (see “USEF President, CEO Issue Direct Address on Sexual Abuse and Misconduct“), the USEF has posted an update regarding previously pending Senate Bill 534, Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017.

The Bill went to the President’s desk after passing the House and Senate in late January. It was signed into law on Feb. 14 and is effective immediately.

An explanation of the law via the US Equestrian Communications Department:

Senate Bill 534, Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 has been signed into law, becoming effective immediately. The bill imposes a duty on amateur sports organizations, including US Equestrian and its members, to report suspected sex-abuse to local or federal law enforcement or to a child-welfare agency designated by the Justice Department, within 24 hours. Failure to report is subject to criminal penalties.

The bill amends two federal statutes: the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 and the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act of 1978.

Within the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990, the bill extends the mandatory duty to report to US Equestrian members and participants, who must report suspected sexual abuse to authorities within 24 hours. An individual who does not report the suspected sexual abuse is subject to criminal penalties. Additionally, the bill extends the statute of limitations for victims to bring a civil lawsuit against a perpetrator and allows a claim for punitive damages.

The bill also amends the Amateur Sports Act of 1978 in several ways. Firstly, it designates the U.S. Center for SafeSport to serve as the independent national safe sport organization. This designation includes the responsibility for developing policies and procedures to prevent emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of amateur athletes. The bill also modifies the obligations of amateur athletic organizations, including National Governing Bodies (NGBs) such as US Equestrian.

These organizations must abide by all policies and procedures to prevent any type of abuse. They also must comply with all reporting requirements, establish reasonable procedures to limit one-on-one interactions between athletes who are minors and an adult, offer and provide consistent training to members who are in contact with minors, as well as establish ways to prohibit retaliation against the victim.

Importantly, under the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s Code and US Equestrian’s Safe Sport Policy, members of and participants in US Equestrian-licensed competitions and sponsored programs are required to report any suspected sexual misconduct to the U.S. Center for SafeSport, regardless of when and where the misconduct occurred.

“US Equestrian, as the NGB of equestrian sport, puts the safety and welfare of our members and horses first,” says US Equestrian President Murray Kessler. “The safety of our children is of utmost importance and US Equestrian supports the passage of this bill and sees it as an important step towards making our sport safe and enjoyable for all. We have taken many necessary steps to educate our members on the importance of the Safe Sport, but the work has only begun. We value our partnership with the U.S. Center for SafeSport and look forward to connecting our members to the resources that it has to offer.”

View this FAQ for more information on the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017. For more information about the U.S. Center for SafeSport or the Safe Sport Policy, contact Sonja S. Keating at [email protected].

Visit the USEF Safe Sport page here and the U.S. Center for Safe Sport website here. 

[Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 Signed Into Law]

[Safe Sport – Keeping Our Sport Safe for All]

[Bill Protecting Athletes From Abuse Signed Into Law]

 

Equestrian Australia Names 2018 National Eventing Squads

By on Feb 16, 2018 10:52 am -

Ryan Wood and Woodstock Bennett. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Equestrian Australia (EA) has named its 2018 national eventing squads in three categories — the Gold Squad, Green Squad and Generation Next Squad — with U.S.-based Aussie Ryan Wood named to the Green Squad.

Rio Olympic team bronze medalists Shane Rose, Sam Griffiths and Chris Burton are all listed on the 2018 Gold Squad.

The Gold Squad is for riders with medal performances at the most recent World Equestrian Games (WEG) or Olympics and considered capable of a medal performance at the upcoming WEG or Olympics.

Ryan Wood, Sammi Birch, Emma McNab, Katja Weimann and Megan Jones are listed on the 2018 Green Squad.

The Green Squad is for riders with current results at the CCI3* and/or CCI4* level and demonstrate a capability of medal performances at the upcoming WEG or Olympics.

Andrew Barnett, Olivia Barton, Emma Bishop, Andrew Cooper, Isabel English, Shenae Lowings, Robert Palm, Amanda Ross, Katie Taliana, Gemma Tinney, Hazel Shannon and Emma Mason are listed on the 2018 Generation Next Squad.

The Generation Next Squad is for riders who have not recently represented Australia at the WEG or Olympics, including individuals with proven emerging talent and proven performances and results at CCI2* level and above.

EA Eventing Selector Georgia Widdup commented, “We currently have a very strong group of senior horse and rider combinations headed for WEG, which is a major milestone in the journey towards Tokyo 2020.”

“Beyond our more experienced and high profile athletes, the depth of talent in Australia’s eventing ranks is immense, and we are focussed on ensuring that we help them to realize their full potential.”

EA High Performance Director Chris Webb added, “The pool of riders and horses that we have to draw on for potential medal outcomes at WEG and in Tokyo is very encouraging. We have robust programs in place to give them every opportunity to deliver to the very best of their ability.”

Equestrian Australia is expected to announce the WEG eventing coaching team next week.

[Equestrian Australia Names National Eventing Squads]

Kris Belford Ferguson’s Memory Lives on at Fresno County Horse Park

By on Feb 16, 2018 8:00 am -

Photo courtesy of Kris Belford Ferguson’s family.

In October 2016, Area VI lost a beloved member in Kris Belford Ferguson. Kris was a loving wife, devoted mother of two children, friend to all, and woman of many talents who harbored a lifelong love of horses and eventing in particular.

When she was overcome by cancer, friends within the eventing community sought a way to honor Kris’ memory. Earlier, Janice Barr had hatched an idea to to have a memorial cross country fence built at Fresno County Horse Park and worked with Kris to design it. A GoFundMe raised over $3,000 to turn their dream into reality, and the fence debuted on the course last year.

Sketch of the memorial fence. Courtesy of Janice Barr.

Photo courtesy of Janice Barr.

A perpetual trophy was also founded in Kris’ honor, to be awarded annually to the first year Preliminary rider who acquires the most points. Janice explains, “Kris always wanted to compete as a Preliminary rider but didn’t have time to make that happen.”

The trophy will be awarded for the first time tomorrow at this weekend’s Fresno County Horse Park H.T. Kris’ family will be in attendance at the award-giving.

The inaugural recipient is Jaya Mayne of Costa Mesa. Jaya is 15 years old and started eventing four-and-a-half years ago. She trains with Lisa and Brian Sabo and says, “Thanks to them and my parents, they are the reason that any of this is possible.”

Jaya’s horse is Graf Gerhardt, AKA “Gary,” an 8-year-old Oldenburg gelding she has owned since he was 6. They began competing at Prelim together last year, and she says the move-up was a steep learning curve — everything felt like it was coming up 10 times faster, she explains.

Jaya Mayne and Graf Gerhardt. Photo courtesy of Jaya Mayne.

“However, in doing this level, it really put us on the edge of our seats,” she says. “It forced Gary and I to grow as partners through all the aspects of this sport. I learned, and still am learning, that being a ‘shy’ person is not what is going to get you through this sport. It requires someone to think and ride as the leader. With that being said you have to know when to trust your horse which is very important.”

The pair has had several top finishes at the level, including wins at Copper Meadows last September and Galway Downs earlier this month. Jaya’s goals for 2018 are to successfully compete through the one-star level, earn her C2/HB Pony Club rating, and represent Area VI at NAJYRC this summer.

Jaya says that while Gary is “not the most affectionate horse in the barn, so to speak,” the two of them share a special bond that helps us get through the ups and downs of training: “We are absolute best friends. Everyday he greets me with a big smile in hoping of getting some treats … his big personality and humor around the barn is always something that can brighten your day. It’s hard to explain in words how strong our relationship has become over these past two years.”

Jaya Mayne and Graf Gerhardt. Photo by EK Photography.

 

Jaya describes winning the perpetual trophy as a tremendous honor. “My aspirations are to always be someone like Kris Belford Ferguson because of the amazing things and people she touched with her life,” she says. “I can not thank everyone enough for this amazing opportunity and wish to always be like Mrs. Ferguson in her character in this sport and community.”

Best of luck to Jaya, and many thanks to the eventing community for their dedication to honoring Kris’ memory. Janice says, “This perpetual trophy will be awarded for many years to come, so Kris Belford Ferguson’s spirit will be with us always.”

Friday News & Notes from SmartPak

By on Feb 16, 2018 12:03 am -

My sister’s horse this past weekend in Wellington in her first CDI! Photo by Kate Samuels.

Today is my 30th birthday, which frankly, is a little terrifying. Now I’m supposed to have all my ducks in a row officially, even though I feel more or less the same as I did a year or two ago. I’ll spend it just like I spend all other days, with my ponies and my dogs, and maybe I’ll be lucky enough to enjoy a special delicious dinner at the end. What more could a girl want?

National Holiday: National Almond Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Rocking Horse Winter II H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

Paradise Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Results]

Fresno County Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Results]

News From Around the Globe:

World Number 1 Kent Farrington suffered a severe injury to his leg yesterday while competing Evergate Stable LLC’s Lucifer in the 1.30-meter jumpers in the Mogavero Ring at the Winter Equestrian Festival. He was immediately transferred to Wellington Regional Medical Center for treatment. [COTH]

In 1925, William DuPont Jr started amassing land in Pennsylvania that amounted to 7,600 acres that would become known as Fair Hill. In 1989, Fair Hill International was born to replace the CCI3* lost from the last Chesterland International Three-Day, headed by a group of top level riders interested in preserving the sport. Mike Tucker was the first course designer, and Derek diGrazia took over 10 years later in 1999. [USEA A-Z: Fair Hill International]

Hot on Horse Nation: #EquestrianProblems According to Twitter

Most of us, at some point in our careers, have to sell one of our horses. If you’re a professional, this is just part of life. There are definitely better and worse ways to complete the objective, and Horsemart gathered info from William Fox Pitt and rising star Caroline Harris on how to best proceed with selling a horse. [Selling A Horse: How to From the Stars]

Thursday Video: ‘Ask a Non-Rider’ by SmartPak, Cross Country Commentary Edition

By on Feb 15, 2018 4:00 pm -

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve decided to get a bit more serious about fitness. Why, I asked myself, do I spend so many hours sweating over the German Princess’ interval training regime, making micro-adjustments to his diet, and organising visits from various (expensive) professionals, when I merrily leave myself a battered, bruised, and usually unwashed afterthought? Perhaps, I thought, there might be some merit to the idea of treating myself like an athlete, too.

So I duly joined the local gym, and hey, it’s nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, I quite look forward to going, which is a strange and concerning feeling. When the opportunity arose to book in an hour of sweaty sadness with a personal trainer, I jumped at the opportunity — no more squats and lunges for me, I was going to learn about strength training!

I explained my goals to the personal trainer — imagine Tom Hardy, but blonde and about 5’3″ — and talked him through the basics of the sport and what I felt I needed help with. Midget Tom Hardy nodded and smiled and agreed in all the right places. I began to feel suspicious. He hadn’t yet told me that riding wasn’t, in fact, a sport. Was he a robot? Had I been lured into a trap? Was I about to be fed to a treadmill?

Nope. It was worse.

“Yeah, mate, I know all about horse riding,” he told me, with all the self-assuredness of someone who does not, in fact, know very much at all about horse riding. “My ex-girlfriend was a very good rider.”

I could almost hear the Jaws theme in the background. I tried my hand at smiling and nodding in the right places. I could feel that I was just sort of wincing at him, but Minuscule Mad Max was on a roll.

“She had a Lipizzaner, yeah?” he expanded. “You know what they are, yeah?”

“Oh. Unusual. Did she do … dressage with it?” I asked, despite the feeling of impending doom.

“Nah, mate. Jumped it, yeah,” said Itsy Bitsy Bronson. “Nearly got to the Olympics with it, actually.”

“Did she, indeed?”

“Yeah. One of the best in the country over 85cm, just couldn’t quite make the grade for the team because it kept bottling it at 90cm.”

Apparently my poker-face isn’t as good as I thought, because Baby Bane then put me through an hour of the most hellish leg workouts I’ve ever experienced. Everything hurts. Please send help.

While temporarily crippled, I’ve been entertaining myself with various other examples of non-horsey people giving the lingo a jolly good go. One of my favourite examples? This little gem from team SmartPak, who wrangled their less equestrian-inclined colleagues to have a go at commentating on a cross-country round, or ‘fun outdoorsy woodland jumping.’ Try force-feeding that one to the IOC.