Classic Eventing Nation

Staple Aiken Venue Paradise Farm Listed for Sale

By on Feb 7, 2018 10:00 am -

Paradise Farm. Photo courtesy of Meybohm Real Estate.

Paradise Farm, a staple eventing venue in Aiken, South Carolina, is on the market to be sold following owner Lellie Ward’s decision that she is ready to downsize after running the facility for more than two decades.

Lellie purchased the 110-acre farm in 1997 when she returned home to Aiken after a four-year period of training in England. “I had outgrown the little stable I was in, and a friend of mine showed me this property. Even though I had lived in Aiken all my life and grew up here, I never even knew the property existed,” she said.

“I first saw the property from the back gate, and the view of what is now the cross country field showed what I knew would be an amazing gallop. The field is about 80 acres and rolling hills, and it reminded me of Wylye, a venue in England where the British team used to train with Lady Hugh Russell. I never thought I would buy 100 acres of land in my whole life.”

Paradise Farm. Photo by Lellie Ward.

Lellie sold her Advanced horse, The Travelling Man, to Bruce Davidson in order to purchase the property that became Paradise Farm. “I wanted to make it a training and conditioning facility and a venue for events,” she said. “It’s an extremely amazing gallop for fittening horses.”

She put up schooling jumps in the cross country field, which ultimately led to hosting horse trials. Paradise Farm hosted its first horse trials on Sept. 25, 2011.

“We started doing events twice a year, then three times a year, and now we have 17 shows on the calendar.” Lellie said. “It’s morphed from just being a big, open field. I was so lucky that the footing is at least 30-year-old established turf. It’s just the right amount of rolling hills.”

Paradise Farm. Photo by Lellie Ward.

Lellie has taught a slew of students in the Aiken area and beyond over the years, all of which learned to ride over terrain thanks to the rolling hills at Paradise Farm.

“I prepared several horses for both the long format and short format at Rolex, and I never had to leave the farm to do their fittening work,” she said. “The other amazing thing is the cross country course is one big field. From a training or owner standpoint, you can see 99% of the course from one center vantage point by the water jump. It’s a great venue for videoing and watching the horse’s training program.”

The cross country field has 80 portable fences that can create a variety of different courses from Starter to Preliminary levels, as well as a large water jump. “It would be a super venue to host the Intermediate and Advanced levels if someone wanted to take it to that point,” Lellie added.

Paradise Farm. Photo courtesy of Meybohm Real Estate.

The facility also has two barns, one with 12 stalls and the other with six stalls, and three 200-by-200 foot arenas. “The property can host dressage and hunter/jumper shows in addition to horse trials, which makes it a versatile facility with multiple income sources,” Lellie said.

“It’s a magical place. It has a wonderful aura. All the big riders come here and do their fittening work before they go north because the footing is so good. I really do get a lot of pleasure out of watching people at the farm, especially seeing them grow and become more confident. It’s been extremely rewarding and a wonderful ride. I hope the next person who has it enjoys it as much as I have.”

Paradise Farm is for sale for $1.2 million and listed with Meybohm Real Estate. The property also features a four bedroom, five bath farmhouse. The full address is 4069 Wagener Road, Aiken, South Carolina 29805. Click here to view the full listing. Contact Suzy Haslup at 803-215-0153 to schedule a showing.

All Change: British Eventer Lissa Green to Ride for Australia

By on Feb 7, 2018 8:00 am -

Lissa Green and Hollyfield II compete at Les 4 Etoiles de Pau in 2017. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

In the eventing world’s equivalent of the draft season (that is, the off season, in which riders may actually find a few minutes spare to rethink and restructure their brand and business), big changes are often afoot. Prominent horses switch hands, sponsorship deals are made and ended, and, occasionally, a big-name rider makes the decision to fly a new flag. This is rarely a decision that’s made lightly — often, a change of nationality can have an enormously positive impact on a rider’s future chances of team selection or funding. Often, too, the decision comes down to an innate feeling of identity and belonging.

Lissa Green, daughter of bonafide British eventing legend Lucinda and Australian Olympic eventer David Green, has always had the option of competing under either flag, but as her business is based in the United Kingdom, so too has her choice of nationality been.

“With my upbringing, I have often found myself waving an Australian flag with one hand and a British one with the other,” she wrote in a statement released on Instagram Wednesday evening. “I was born in Britain so it felt natural to be a part of the British system, something I have always admired and been extremely grateful for.”

Lissa’s statement, as posted on her Instagram account.

Lissa, who made the move to four-star in 2017 at Badminton with the small but mighty Malin Head Clover, says that the decision to make the switch wasn’t driven by any one catalyst, but rather, is the culmination of a multitude of factors and input from her expansive support team.

“It’s definitely something I’ve thought about for a while,” she explains. “It seemed like an appropriate time. Over the last few years I’ve been fortunate enough to build a strong team of very promising horses, exciting sponsors, and loyal owners. Having my first attempts at four-star — and LOVING it! — when competing at Badminton and Pau in 2017; all of these factors combined helped with a decision that helps me look forward as my career develops.”

A winter break in Australia, where her father, David, works as a prominent coach, furthered an idea that had been in its infancy.

“I think my father has always secretly wanted this to happen, so I’m sure he was the subconscious initiator back in the day! Although I would have thought about it myself with how fond I grew of the place. I do adore that country — there is something wonderfully special about it, and I said a long time ago that I would, hands down, live there if it wasn’t for my gorgeous horses and career back here in the UK.”

Further support, and welcome advice, came from Australian team stalwart Sam Griffiths, who is one of the lynchpins of a strong Aussie contingent based in the United Kingdom.

“I turned to Sam for advice and we had a great conversation over a pint this winter,” says Lissa. “He’s a perfect representative for Australia, and he really showed the camaraderie the athletes have between each other, and how professional their focus is towards the future.”

Lissa and Hollyfield II tackle the final water on the formidable Pau course. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Despite the big change, Lissa will be able to continue running her business as usual, and has her sights set on Badminton, this time with Pau mount Hollyfield II. Although the pair didn’t complete the tricky course — a brakes issue at the end of the course led Lissa to make the decision to retire — Hollyfield is an exciting horse for the future. Remarkably, despite the notoriously twisty track and its difficult time, the pair were the fastest round of the day by nine seconds before their retirement, giving Lissa — and her adopted eventing federation — plenty to look forward to.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba3hTxPnPeU/?taken-by=lissagreen88

“I’m really excited about him. It’s no secret he was a risk when we bought him, and I’ve spent over two years undoing and changing him with the help of my amazing trainers, to turn him into a solid and rideable horse. This past month, he finally feels like a horse I can now build with — he feels totally different this season, which is something we always dreamed would happen, but you can never be sure when you’re on a fix-up job. I’m so excited — I really believe he’s far from the height of his potential.”

Go Lissa, go Australia, and go eventing!

Wednesday News & Notes from SmartPak

By on Feb 7, 2018 12:01 am -

This can be yours! (For a bid somewhere in the vicinity of $250k.) Photo courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

As a kid, it wasn’t eventing that captured my attention but horse racing. The glamour and the history drew me in and the scrappy jockeys in bright silks held my attention. I wanted nothing more in life to be a jockey, the first female jockey to win the Triple Crown and the Breeder’s Classic, and then the Dubai World Cup. Preferably on a horse I saved from the sales as a foal and then personally conditioned with the help of a crusty Hall-of-Famer trainer. Sound familiar?

National Holiday: Wave at Your Neighbor Day

On-going Events:

Full Gallop H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Pine Top Intermediate H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

Ocala Winter I H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

Your Wednesday News & Notes:

For the low expected final bid of $250,000, you can own the Triple Crown trophy presented to Laz Barrera. Barrera trained Affirmed to Triple Crown victory, the last to do so for almost forty years until American Pharaoh came along. The trophy is being auctioned off now online, with bidding open through February 24th. The opening bid is only $62,500…. [Triple Crown Trophy Auction]

In case you missed it, the long-awaited ERQI is available in your USEA Online Portal. CNow before you enter an event, take a moment to check out your horse’s ERQI to make sure you’re entering an appropriate level. Red means you’ve got a high risk for the level, orange is an elevated but acceptable risk, and green is good to go! [ERQI Now Available]

Not everyone makes it south for the winter, but the entries are already opening for events further north. That means an inundation of entries at dressage schooling shows and eventing derbies, a flurry of SOs asking what this charge to Event Entries is on the credit card, and riders riding through all kinds of weather now matter how unpleasant. [Eventing Season is Just Around the Corner]

SmartPak Product of the Day: As snow turns to rain, its time to go from winter overpants to rain overpants. No one wants to be riding through 40 deg storms but as the season starts, sometimes we’re forced to do things we hate. These should make it slightly more bearable. [SmartPak]

Tuesday Video from SpectraVet: Cross Country Schooling for Young Horses

By on Feb 6, 2018 4:00 pm -

Take a trip to Ocala this afternoon with Major League Eventing as they share Joe Meyer’s philosophies on introducing young horses to cross country in episode four of their “Major League Training” series.

Follow along with Joe as he teaches two students on green horses, conquering introductory cross country fences including ditches and water. This episode is a must for anyone bringing up a young horse in the sport (I’m looking at you, one of the 794 Thoroughbred Makeover trainers accepted for eventing!).

Be sure to subscribe to Major League Eventing on YouTube, so you can be the first to see their next videos and like them on Facebook as well!

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Let’s Discuss: The USEA Launches EquiRatings Quality Index

By on Feb 6, 2018 3:00 pm -

An example of ERQIs listed on a USEA profile, via the USEA.

Today the much-anticipated EquiRatings Quality Index (ERQI) was launched on the USEA website. ERQIs, which use a “traffic light” color coding system to indicate the level of risk a horse carries on cross country, are now available for all USEA registered horses that have competed in the last five years.

The intent of the ERQI system is to allow USEA members to track and monitor risk in a tangible way. The ERQI is calculated as a probability, a number between 0 and 1, with horses closer to 1 showing statistically higher levels of positive performance in the cross country phase. ERQIs are displayed on each horse’s profile using the ‘data footprint’ (the past results) of each horse, and applies a marginal gains approach to improving fall rates.

Read more about ERQIs and how they are calculated here. The USEA has also posted a helpful ERQI FAQ here.

EquiRating’s Diarm Byrne told EN: “We have been working for the USEA for some time now to help create a metric around risk. Today is an exciting day to be able display the ERQI privately, but we hope to bring the project forward again in the coming 12 months. A good start, but only the start.”

A horse’s ERQI will only be displayed for associated riders or owners. To view a horse’s ERQI, login to USEA Online Services. Once logged in, click on “My Related Horses” in the Horses section of the home screen dashboard. If you want to view an ERQI for a horse that you are not currently related to, you will need to add yourself as a rider or owner to the horse’s record.

What do you think, EN? Have you logged in to check your horse’s ERQI yet?

[EquiRatings Quality Indexes (ERQIs) Now Available on USEA Horse Profiles]

Clarke Johnstone Clinic Report: This Kiwi Likes Tacos and Texas

By on Feb 6, 2018 1:00 pm -

We love living (and learning!) vicariously through clinic reports. We are excited to share this one from Area V Adult Rider Coordinator Greta Hallgren, who competes at the Prelim level with her OTTB Elianna. Have a clinic report to share? Email it to [email protected].

Photo by Ailsa Jean Photography.

Elite international eventer, showjumper and 2016 Olympian Clarke Johnstone didn’t know what was in store for him when he agreed to fly all the way from his home in Waikato, New Zealand, to Burleson, Texas, to conduct the winter Area V Adult Rider clinic last month at Tempus
Eventing.

I had no expectations,” Clarke said after his first day with his new students. “I came over not knowing much about Texas or what kind of riders and horses I would encounter, but I was pleased with what I found.”

While enjoying his first crispy taco ever, Clarke expanded on his experiences by describing how his students differ from their Area V counterparts, “Everyone here has been very analytical so far. Back home, we don’t tend to analyze every single detail the same way.”

The details started with individual dressage lessons on the first day. The main point Clarke made to all riders was that every movement needed to be performed with forward impulsion. “I bet you get ‘needs impulsion,’ on your dressage tests often,” Clarke was overheard saying to one student. The student later confirmed he was right.

Hannah Smitherman on Sir Lamb Chop in an individual dressage session. Photo by Ailsa Jean Photography.

The second day plans were revised due to a questionable weather forecast. Instead of show jumping, groups from Beginner Novice to Preliminary headed out to do cross country under sunny skies.

Clarke challenged every group to push themselves and almost every rider reported accomplishing something new. “This was the first time I have ever jumped a skinny on this horse,” one rider reported. “I’m so proud of her!”

One Beginner Novice rider described her experience this way: “The biggest takeaway for me is that I realize now that I am not only a better rider than maybe I thought, but I’m capable of more than I realized.”

Photo by Ailsa Jean Photography.

Show jumping day, the last day, started with stride adjustability exercises and quickly progressed to a fun gymnastic designed to get the horses thinking.

“I use this gymnastic at home a lot,” Clarke, also a grand prix show jumper, noted. “I really like it because it makes horses think about where they land and where the need to take off. It also helps them jump in a nice form.”

The gymnastic Clarke used consisted of a placing pole to a bounce made of a higher crossrail first, with a very low vertical second. After everyone got that down, he then added a much higher, very airy vertical, five strides away. True to his plan, the horses tended towards going down the line in five even steps and jumping the last fence beautifully.

“Pulling is not your friend,” he also advised several riders throughout the day as they progressed to jumping courses. “You’ve got to set them up in the turn and then move confidently towards the fence.”

Greta Hallgren on Elianna in the Prelim show jumping session. Photo by Ailsa Jean Photography.

In addition to challenging riders to push themselves, Clarke also encouraged a riding position that allowed for shorter reins with hands more forward. “I feel this position allows you to make small adjustments and maintain a connection that results in improved communication with your horse.”

To prove his point, check out these videos of his gorgeous four-star cross country and show jumping rides at the Australian International Three-Day Event last November which he led from start to finish.

Outside of his teaching duties, rumor has it that some highlights of Clarke’s Texas adventure included the handling of his first firearm as well as a trip to the culturally iconic Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. But sometimes what exactly happens in Texas, simply stays in Texas.

Ultimately, Area V Adult Riders were honored to have hosted Clarke’s first clinic in the U.S. A group has already planned a trip to the 2018 World Equestrian Games next fall where they plan to cheer on their new Kiwi friend in addition to the U.S. team.

One clinician summed it up best: “Clarke was very generous to take time out of his incredibly busy competition schedule to come halfway across the world to Texas to teach adult amateurs. I bet he’ll be back though. We know how he likes his tacos.”

 

Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass Named Official Charity of 2018 Kentucky Three-Day Event

By on Feb 6, 2018 10:30 am -

Image courtesy of Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass.

In addition to showcasing top international eventing talent, the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event is committed to showing love to charities that support equine organizations and serve the local community.

Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass (JA) has been announced as this year’s official LRK3DE charity. The organization, which is dedicated to educating students about work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs, serves 36 Kentucky counties.

“Junior Achievement is an amazing organization that really prepares young people for the real world,” says Stewart Perry, president of Equestrian Events, Inc., organizer of the LRK3DE. “JA has provided volunteers for our official event shop for many years, and EEI has made numerous contributions to them for their participation. We are proud to name them as the Official Charity of the 2018 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event.”

JA will receive a portion of the proceeds from two fundraising activities: the Barley, Barrels and Bluegrass Dinner and the fourth annual Head Up Heels Down 5K. The dinner will be held on Thursday, April 26, at the Livery in downtown Lexington. Founded in 1868, the Livery was the city’s largest stable for horses and carriages heading in and out of town, and the dinner will feature uniquely Kentucky food and drink. Click here for more information. The 5K will be held on Friday, April 27 — for more information or to register, click here.

Junior Achievement partners with volunteers from the community to teach elementary students about their roles as individuals, workers and consumers, and to prepare middle and high school students for key economic and workforce issues they will face.

“We are honored to have been chosen by EEI as the Official Charity of the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event,” says Lynn Hudgins, president of Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass. “We have been involved with this wonderful event since 2006 and recognize the prestige that this distinction brings to JA.”

In 2017, the support of more than 80,000 spectators allowed EEI to make donations in excess of $100,000 to over 25 different charitable organizations. Some of the organizations who received gifts include Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, United States Pony Clubs and New Vocations.

LRK3DE takes place April 26-29, 2018. Visit the website for more information, and we hope to see you there!

Go Eventing.

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Dirty Thirties Edition

By on Feb 6, 2018 9:00 am -

Age is just a number and I supposed career starts are too. While they haven’t quite reached ‘War Horse’ status, the three horses we’re spotlighting today have all surpassed 30 career races and that’s got to count for something right? These horses are just a little more mature than your 10-or-20-something starters and they’re looking for a second career. Could one of them be your next eventing partner?

Photo via CANTER Michigan.

Corinthians Secret (Corinthian – Dream Luck, by Chester House): 2011 16.1-hand Illinois bred gelding

“Ike” is a simply gorgeous gelding who has racked up 37 career starts and over $41,000 in earnings. Ike came off the track after his final race in last May and is doing well in retraining. He’s a quiet, sweet guy with a big stride and has already been started over small fences. He seems to be quite keen for this new job as he pricks his ears and takes his rider to the next jump!

View Corinthians Secret on CANTER Michigan.

Photo va CANTER California.

Tough Ray (Tough Game – Atsashanaray, by Renteria): 2010 16.1-hand California bred gelding

This big shiny chestnut is a barn favorite with his sweet personality. His trainer says he never needs a chain, even when he’s being jogged out. With 34 career starts and over $50,000 in earning he’s done pretty well on the track, but his trainer wants to retire him from racing while he’s sound.

View Tough Ray on CANTER California.

Photo via CANTER California.

John’s Journey (Good Journey – Belle Lu, by Signal Tap): 2011 16.1-hand California bred gelding

Those dapples aren’t the only impressive thing about this horse – he’s also managed to earn over $100,000 on the track with just 33 starts. This stunning seven-year-old is sound with no vices, but he is reported to have a breathing issue though this obviously hasn’t limited his athleticism as a racehorse. Despite his success, his owner, a track veterinarian, is ready for him to move on to a new career.

View John’s Journey on CANTER California.

Tuesday News & Notes from Cavalor

By on Feb 6, 2018 12:01 am -

Photo by Shelby Allen.

When your barn pup decides to be poorly behaved while you’re playing horse holder, you get creative. A rein quickly becomes a leash with optional stopper attachment. Then of course you’re in charge of two creatures, so hang on tight.

National Holiday: National Frozen Yogurt Day

Events Opening This Week: Poplar Place Farm March H.T. (GA, A-3) Carolina International CIC and H.T. (NC, A-2) Stable View Spring H.T. (SC, A-3) Southern Arizona H.T. (AZ, A-10)

Events Closing This Week: Three Lakes February II H.T. at Caudle Ranch (FL, A-3) Pine Top Advanced, CIC2*, CIC1* & H.T. (GA, A-3)

Tuesday News:

Thanks generous financial backing from the USEA, US Equestrian will continue their commitment to deformable fence technology in 2018. Organizers can apply for a grant to receive frangible pins at little to no cost, aiding their compliance with EV140.9 b with requires all oxers at Modified level or above to be pinned with a frangible device. [USEF to Continue Eventing Frangible Technology Grant Program in 2018 with Continued Support from the USEA]

The best way to battle ulcers is to prevent them. While an Omeprazole treatment like Gastroguard is arguably the most effective, even the addition of alfalfa can help by lowering the acidity in the stomach. [Ulcer prevention the key to keeping your competitive horse happy]

Four horses have tested positive for EHV-1 in Ohio this week. Two of the horses raced recently at the Meadows Racetrack and Casino, in Washington, Pennsylvania, and the other two are at the University of Findlay. Horse owners in the area should stay alert to their horses condition, and are advised to check their temperature daily. [Four Ohio Horses Test Positive for EHV-1]

If you’re anything like me, you’ve blindly wandered around a jumper show excited about the schooling opportunity but not sure of much else. Here’s your guide to jumper classes. [What Are All These Show Jumping Classes? Jumper Tables Explained]

Hot on Horse Nation: #TBT: Colts vs. Broncos: Horse Nation Wins

Tuesday Video: The highest score ever earned at Global:

Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: Horseback Falls vs. Football Falls

By on Feb 5, 2018 5:00 pm -

What? OH, you thought I was talking about American football, didn’t you? Like that big game that was on last night? Sorry!

What we call soccer here is a known as football to the rest of the world and, though I generally prefer watching the type of football that is actually played with one’s foot instead of the one that involves smashing people, I must admit it does get a bit too dramatic at times for my taste.

Over the years “flopping” — acting as though you’ve had your leg chopped off or your eye poked out when in fact your opponent has merely breathed on you — which serves to try and get your opponent awarded a yellow or red card (that’s sort of equivalent to a penalty for you heathens) has become a real art form.

Exhibit A:

Give that man an Oscar.

But “getting back on the horse” isn’t an idiom for no reason. Footballers ain’t got nothin’ on equestrians when it comes to falling and here’s the video to prove it: