Classic Eventing Nation

Weekend Results Roundup Featuring Madison Park’s #revivaltour

By on Feb 5, 2018 1:30 pm -

Jen Carter and Madison Park. Photo by Kyle Carter.

How was everybody’s weekend? With events happening in Ocala, Aiken and Cali, all the east coast snowbirds and west coast early birds had a chance to get out there and flap their wings.

Shout-out to Jen Carter and Madison Park, who with eight dusty stars between the two of them romped around Training at Three Lakes H.T. To recall, Kyle announced the four-star warhorse’s retirement from top level competition last April, promising him, “Looking forward to growing old together, it’s all sailboats and margaritas from now on!!”

Parker is 20 this year but you wouldn’t know it watching gamely tackle the weekend’s course with Jen in the irons. He seems like the type of horse who is happiest when he has a job to do — cross country jumps ARE his “sailboats and margaritas.”

 

I had so much fun today riding the fantastic Madison Park! He is incredible and I know I smiled the entire way around!! Apparently I need to work on going faster since I would have won but I’m so lucky to have this opportunity!! Thx for the video Maxine Preston. #revivaltour (thx Morgan Kelly). #trailerpark

Posted by Jennifer Carter on Sunday, February 4, 2018

“Parker was awesome, as usual!” Jen said of their weekend. “He’s been doing great and was so happy to be out competing again. I thought to myself as we trotted up centerline, how lucky I am to ride such an unbelievable horse! So many people would love to be in my shoes.”

The pair was second after dressage on a 28.6 and a fault-free show jumping round earned them another boost on the scoreboard. “So I started out on cross country in first, but had a watch malfunction so didn’t know my time and ended up poking around so with my time faults dropped to sixth,” she says. “But it was the most fun I’ve had in so long — he has such a great gallop and is so rideable thanks to Kyle! Plus he was perfectly behaved all day!”

We’ll see this veteran pair out and about in coming months as Jen’s schedule allows, with an eye on Prelim later in the late spring: “That’s as far as we’ve gotten since he’s 20 this year!”

Forever young, Parker.

We spotted another four-star veteran at Sporting Days: Indian Mill, who earned top 20 finishes at Badminton and Pau with Paul Tapner before being sold to the U.S., where he was a three-star force to be reckoned with under Phillip Dutton. Now he and new owner Jackie LeMastus look to be hitting it off like peaches and cream, winning their first event together at Prelim/Training. Jackie placed second in the same division on another new ride, Lup the Loop, campaigned at the three-star level here and abroad by Kylie Lyman. That’s a fine string of ponies you’ve got there, Jackie — best of luck!

Jackie and Indian Mill. Photo courtesy of Jackie LeMastus.

 

Posted by Jackie LeMastus on Saturday, February 3, 2018

Here are your weekend winners. Special shout-out to Lacey Ogden and Cooley Higher Ground, who posted a 22.1 in a division of Open Novice at Three Lakes H.T., the lowest finishing score of the weekend in the country!

Three Lakes H.T. [Website] [Results]

Open Prelim: Joy Meyer & Jay of Diamonds (36.2)
Prelim Rider: Jane Cook & Monatrea Xavier (34.6)
Open Training A: Lauren Kieffer & Get Gaudi (28.1)
Open Training B: Parker Miller & Superstorm Sandy (27.4)
Training Rider: Francesca Spoltore & Fernhill Reflection (31.0)
Novice Rider: Courtenay Turner & Flying Private (30.7)
Open Novice A: Lacey Ogden & Cooley Higher Ground (22.1)
Open Novice B: Clark Montgomery & Hooked On Cooley (25.0)
Beginner Novice Rider: Julia Bitler & Lexington (30.3)
Open Beginner Novice: Selena O’Hanlon & Good to the Core (32.1)

Sporting Days H.T. [Website] [Results]

Intermediate/Prelim: Samantha Bielawski & Stick with Richie (39.6)
Open Prelim A: Ryan Wood & Fernhill Flame (27.2)
Open Prelim B: Susie Beale & Cooley Streetwise (35.5)
Prelim Rider: Samantha Hay & Tre’ Jolie (42.1)
Prelim/Training: Jackie LeMastus & Indian Mill (36.7)
Open Training A: Ryan Wood & Billy McClusky (29.3)
Open Training B: Joa Sigsbee & Primely Smitten (25.9)
Open Training C: Rebecca Lee & Bradley Cooper (31.4)
Training Rider: Karli Wright & Remastered (30.2)
Novice Rider A: Kathleen Bertuna & BT MacDiamond (30.1)
Novice Rider B: Rowan Edmonds & Liberty Bell (35.5)
Open Novice A: Jill Henneberg & Kimora (30.0)
Open Novice B: Colleen Rutledge & C Me Fly (30.7)
Beginner Novice Rider: Morgan Patton Brown & Jackhammer II (31.8)
Open Beginner Novice: Kelsey Horn & Swingtown (27.8)

Galway Downs Winter H.T. [Website] [Results]

Open Intermediate: Barb Crabo & Waterford (31.8)
Open Prelim: Erin Kellerhouse & Woodford Reserve (25.0)
Prelim Rider: Jordan Beckingham & Snap Decision II (28.8)
Junior Training Rider: Lilly Linder & Codigo (27.9)
Open Training: Erin Kellerhouse & Seychelles (23.6)
Training Rider: Karen Nyrop & Someday (31.2)
Junior Novice Rider: Madison Santley & Excellence (26.7)
Novice Rider: Shawn Ortiz & Patriot’s Liberty (30.7)
Open Novice: Whitney Tucker Billeter & Bill’s Midnight Magic (27.1)
Beginner Novice Rider: Shelby Murray & Ringo Starr (31.7)
Open Beginner Novice: Bari Boersma & Wild Media (30.8)
Intro: Keira McKeon & Change of Luck (46.9)

Go Eventing!

RRP Thoroughbred Makeover: You’ve Been Accepted! Now What?

By on Feb 5, 2018 11:00 am -

Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover

On Friday, Feb. 2, 2018, the internet was on fire with celebratory posts like “I got in! I’m accepted into the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover 2018!” In fact, 794 trainers likely made such an announcement, and 231 of them declared Eventing as their primary discipline. But now that it’s Monday, the work week has begun, and the reality has set in, perhaps the question many are asking is, “Now what?”

Here’s some helpful advice for competitors doing the Makeover! As a competitor myself in 2015 and 2016, I can promise the range of emotions you will feel during the process are completely normal, and that everyone else feels the same way.

You’ll experience excitement when you realize you’re among an elite group of trainers, amateurs and youth from around North America (and the world!) who love OTTBs as much as you do.

You’ll have joy when your project trots that first ground pole, handles that first trail ride like a champ, or accepts the bit and your leg for the first time, when if you squint it almost looks like he’s thinking about a dressage frame (almost).

You’ll feel frustration when he gets the inevitable pasture injury. Or even devastation when he passes away suddenly due to colic at only 5 years old.

There’s an amazing support group of riders just like you, going through the same happiness and struggles, who are there for you. Many have experience with feeding (weight building) and care of OTTBs, dealing with injuries, and retraining a thoroughbred brain. Reach out to them.

Amy Nelson’s 2015 mount “River Clam” — Purchase Day on 10/2013 (top) to current 12/2017 (bottom).

EN spoke to Erin Harty from the Retired Racehorse Project, and we asked:

What are the top three things you want competitors to do leading up to the Makeover?

1. “Be an informed competitor. First and foremost, read the rules. Read the rules. READ THE RULES. (Seriously, can’t emphasize this enough.) Just about every question a competitor could have is covered in there. Also, read the emails RRP sends you. The competition at the Thoroughbred Makeover is not structured the same as a regular horse trial and while we go to great pains to explain everything to our competitors, we can’t help you if you don’t read the emails!”

2. “Seek out help — both in retraining your OTTB and with the specifics of the competition. It’s permitted in the rules for someone else to be the primary rider on your horse before July 30, so if you want to have a professional do the first few months of post-track training, you can. You should have an OTTB-knowledgeable professional trainer helping you, at least occasionally, regardless of your level of experience — we all need eyes on the ground! The Makeover also comes with a built-in support system of fellow trainers, many of whom have decades of experience in restarting thoroughbreds, and they’re more than happy to offer advice through our trainers-only Facebook group. The camaraderie among the trainers is one of the best aspects of the Makeover, so take advantage of it!”

3. “Market your own OTTB, and OTTBs in general. Although everyone has their own competitive goals, the primary goal of the Makeover is to increase nationwide demand for off-track Thoroughbreds, and our Makeover trainers play a huge role in doing that. The Makeover offers a great opportunity for your friends, family, barnmates, etc., to follow along as these horses start their journeys into second careers.”

“The more we talk about how talented our OTTBs are, how quickly they learn, and how versatile they can be, the more we elevate the status of OTTBs as a whole. We encourage all trainers to start a Facebook page for their own Makeover mount where they can post photos, videos and updates. For horses that are for sale, this is doubly important. The Makeover is an amazing opportunity to get your OTTB resale project in front of a huge audience of interested buyers. Invest the time in taking good photos and videos and writing a great sale listing for your horse.

“It’s also important not to get Makeover tunnel vision — this is just the start of your horse’s new career, it’s not the end goal. Put your horse first. Even if you don’t make it to the competition, you’re helping to get more of these amazing horses into new jobs.”

Amy Nelson and 2015 mount “River Clam” (Hummingbird’s River) at the Makeover Oct 2015 (left), Training Level Eventing at Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event Oct 2017 (right).

To me, as a previous competitor, the most important thing to remember is that it’s a JOURNEY, not a destination.  The RRP Thoroughbred Makeover will take place October 4-7, 2018 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Your eager mount will step onto the same course where four-star eventers and grand prix show jumpers have competed. They walk their course in this arena just like you will … with nervous excitement … as the world watches. But after the Makeover is done, and you head back home with your OTTB (or he goes home with a new, loving family), the real fun begins!

Amy Nelson and 2015 mount “River Clam” (Hummingbird’s River). Photo courtesy of Amy Nelson.

My 2015 mount River Clam (we show him under Hummingbird’s River) will aim to go Prelim this year, with a one-star on the horizon. It was amazing the emotions that hit me in October 2017, when on the two-year anniversary of his RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Competition, he was competing in Training Level at the Hagyard Midsouth Team Competition & Three-Day Event. Photos kept showing up on my social media history as a reminder of how far we’ve come.

This was a horse who finished in the top 2/3 of Eventers (read: 40th place out of maybe 60) … whom judges described as “very green,” “a little too keen,” and “very, VERY bold.” Don’t get me wrong, the judges were absolutely spot on. It’s taken a few years to direct this gangly grey dinosaur’s enthusiasm.

Amy Nelson and 2015 mount “River Clam” January 2015 (left), October 2017 (right).

But as you mount up this week for the first ride on your green OTTB, or even start shopping for a Makeover horse, remember: you’re not alone.  Retraining takes time. And as my trainer always told me, “Horses work on horse time. Not human time.”

3…2…1…have a great ride.

This article is dedicated to our 2016 mount Joegun (barn name Six) who was taken too soon by colic after the Makeover, and to all the others we have loved and lost.

 

 

4 Reasons Why You Should Attend the 2018 USEA Educational Symposium

By on Feb 5, 2018 9:00 am -

Robin Walker discusses the introduction of the canter and free jump at the FEH Championships. At this year’s symposium, attendees will learn how to properly prepare young horses for free jumping. Photo by USEA/Caroline Culbertson, used with permission.

The USEA’s Young Event Horse, Future Event Horse and Instructors’ Certification Programs are teaming up again this year for the mega USEA Educational Symposium, Feb. 19-22, 2018, in Ocala, Florida. Whether you have close ties to these programs or you are just looking for an awesome opportunity to learn, this symposium definitely has something for you!

Learn from World-Class Instructors 

For an affordable fee, you can learn from a few of our sport’s top teachers including Leslie Law, Kai-Steffen Meier and Chris Ryan. You’ll experience both engaging classroom sessions at the beautiful Ocala Jockey Club followed by riding demonstrations at Longwood Farm. Watching and learning the progression of both instructors and young horses is an extremely beneficial way to strengthen your own riding whether through new exercises or new ways to think about training. Instructors include:

ICP: Kai-Steffen Meier and Leslie Law
YEH: Kai-Steffen Meier and Leslie Law, with Marilyn Payne teaching the new YEH scoring system
FEH: Chris Ryan, Shauna Spurlock, Susan Graham White

View the complete symposium schedule here.

Kai-Steffen Meier and TSF Karascada M at Badminton 2014. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Explore the New Changes to the Young Event Horse Program

The USEA Young Event Horse Program rolled out some major changes last month including an entirely new scoring system. The conformation section has been removed from qualifying events, increasing the emphasis on the jumping/galloping portion. Class structure for the YEH program can be found here.

Anyone with ties to YEH, including judges and participants, have been encouraged to attend to make sure they are prepared to comply with the new additions.

Strengthen Your Understanding in All Phases of Horse Development

Whether you want to find your next top horse or make sure the basics are truly there with your veteran partner, the experts at the USEA Symposium have a wealth of knowledge to share. The Future Event Horse portion will cover appropriate conformation, bloodlines and behavior that are ideal for eventing. The Young Event Horse Program and the Instructors’ Certification Program will cover training and teaching techniques that you can carry with you in your own riding.

Florida Weather 

Escape the cold weather for a educational holiday! It’s Ocala in February … enough said.

The ICP portion of the symposium runs Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 19-20, YEH will be Wednesday, Feb. 21 and FEH will be Thursday, Feb. 22.To attend, you must register for the FEH/YEH and the ICP portions separately. Click here for Young Horse registration. Click here for ICP registration.

USEA Symposium: Website, FEH/YEH Registration, ICP Registration, Schedule

[Save the Date For the 2018 USEA Educational Symposium in Ocala]

Monday News and Notes from Fleeceworks

By on Feb 5, 2018 12:04 am -

Well, it wasn’t the result my husband was hoping for, but it was an exciting Super Bowl to watch with friends. Here’s to every athlete who dedicates his or her life to being the best they can possibly be at their chosen sport. Keep kicking!

National Holiday: National Chocolate Fondue Day

U.S. Weekend Action:

Three Lakes H.T. [Website] [Results]

Sporting Days H.T. [Website] [Results]

Galway Downs Winter H.T. [Website] [Results]

Monday News and Notes:

Why would you want to keep dental floss, fuzzy cat toys and old mushroom containers at the barn? Believe it or not, they might come in handy. Take a look at these great barn hacks! [Pro Equine Grooms]

Did you work your way through the Pony Club levels as a kid? Think you know the Pony Club manual front to back? Test your horsemanship knowledge with this test. [Pony Club C+ Test]

Some horses are cool as cucumbers when the vet comes around, but others turn into feral giraffes as soon as they see a syringe coming anywhere near them. You can help your horse reduce his stress with a little practice and patience. [Preventing Problem Behaviors During Veterinary Procedures]

A study in New Zealand indicates that a concussion can continue to affect a person years after the initial injury. An important note of the study is that people who did not seek medical attention following a concussion were more likely to suffer long-term effects. So if you knock your noggin, see a doctor! [Concussion Issues Can Linger for Years]

Monday Video: You can’t bring your chinchilla on the plane (joke’s on them! Chinch goes all over the world) but you can bring your mini pony.

Support animals you can and can’t travel with

What? No peacocks? After Delta Airlines cracked down on support animals on planes, we were curious… what animals *can* we fly with? usat.ly/2E5TnIw

Posted by USA TODAY on Thursday, February 1, 2018

Sunday Video from Total Saddle Fit: A Year in Eventing

By on Feb 4, 2018 5:22 pm -

Ellie Leonard, aka @girlwiththe.camera, recapped 2017 with an action-packed video montage featuring events all over the West Coast. Watching her tribute to last year gets us pumped up for 2018!

How many times can you spot Total Saddle Fit sponsored rider Tamie Smith in this video?

Remember when a girth was just a strap to hold your saddle on? Total Saddle Fit has changed that forever. Their line of Shoulder Relief Girths literally affect how your saddle sits on your horse, offering better saddle fit and shoulder freedom. They make Shoulder Relief Girths in different colors, shapes and materials for every occasion. Learn more at totalsaddlefit.com.

Two is Better Than One

By on Feb 4, 2018 12:59 pm -

Laura Crump Anderson is an Equestrian Fitness Specialist at InForm Fitness Leesburg. She is certified as a personal trainer by the American College of Sports Medicine and specializes in working with riders of all ages and disciplines. She is EN’s fitness columnist. If you missed her series on “lateral work” for rider strength, check out the Beginner Novice, Prelim, and Advanced editions. 

Kaitlin and Daniel Clasing work out together. Photo courtesy of Laura Crump Anderson.

Often, I am asked what the best exercise is for … [insert desired result here]. Regardless of the goal, the most important aspect of any exercise program is the result, and results come from consistency. So, the best exercise regimen for you will be the one that you can stick with. One of the best ways to improve the results of any program is to work with a partner.  A partner adds accountability, motivation, plus an extra set of eyes to ensure proper form and safety.

Accountability: Someone is waiting for you at the gym will force you out of bed on the morning, you especially want to sleep in.  Even though there are methods of personal accountability for example maintaining a journal, or excessively posting on your favorite social media platform. There is nothing quite like a friend or personal trainer expecting you, to get you to show up for the work out.

Motivation: Those times when you want to call it quits, working with a friend can give you the extra edge to truly achieve momentary muscle failure. This is healthy competition, while strength training, I firmly believe that you should be focused on competing against yourself. However, having a person with you in the moment can help you reach for new heights.

Form: When you have someone watch your form during an exercise, you will work harder to maintain it. That said, when you are working hard, which you should be, it is extremely challenging to always maintain perfect form. This is the point at which our egos need to take a good look at itself. Know that your exercise partner is correcting your form to help you, not attack you. When they tell you need to correct yourself, listen to them. Do not get annoyed; listen and make the corrections.

When you are the “helper,” be mindful to only correct the aspects of your partner’s form and execution that are needing correction. Repeating unnecessary instruction will quickly begin to irritate.

Safety: When you get injured, you are much less likely to stick with an exercise program. More importantly, an injury can lead to setbacks on your riding goals. While you will frequently find me in a yoga studio, it would take a force from nature to get me into a CrossFit box.  With many exercise programs, safety is not the priority. Personally, I prefer to reduce risk of injury as much as possible while exercising, because I assume enough risk every time I swing a leg over my horse. Having someone with you are much more likely to be safe and systematic in the exercise program.

Choose wisely: When strength training using the slow motion high intensity technique, I highly recommend using the buddy system. Remember to keep the socializing to a minimum, as slowing down to chat between exercise will detract from the effectiveness. In fact, you want to keep your heart rate up from one exercise to the next.

I am all for efficient workouts, so try and keep the focus on form and progress, as opposed to ‘having fun.’ I believe there is no amount of pump up music that will make exercise entertaining or fun. Your internal drive should be the sound track.

Choose someone that will not let you blow off the exercise. My best friend and I have gone running together all of two times, when we had the best intentions of running regularly. At the end of the day, we would always rather gab together than exercise. This is not the exercise buddy; you want to pick. You need someone you will listen to. I will never train with my husband again; he refuses to listen and I am not wasting his or my time trying.

I am lucky enough to work with some of the most talented strength trainers in the country. However, I understand that not everyone has this luxury. Maybe this is a great opportunity to make a new friend. What you are looking for is accountability and someone who can accurately start and stop a timer to track improvements. Find someone in your barn or program with similar exercise goals. The best results come from consistency and working your hardest every single time you exercise.

Husband and wife team Daniel and Kaitlin Clasing have plenty of experience keeping each other motivated and on task, both in and out of the saddle!  You can learn more about their program at clasingequestrian.com or their Facebook page. Here they demonstrate the wheelbarrow.  

The Wheel Barrow

Daniel and Kaitlin Clasing. Photo courtesy of Laura Crump Anderson.

  • Sit on your glutes facing your partner. The closer you sit to your heels the greater the challenge.

Photo courtesy of Laura Crump Anderson.

  • Place your elbows on your knees.
  • Remember to breath.
  • Your partner is going to hold your ankles, and tip you back (do not lean back, let them tip you back).

Photo courtesy of Laura Crump Anderson.

Photo courtesy of Laura Crump Anderson.

  • Have your partner tip you back to your point of challenge – where you can engage your abdominals and keep your elbows glued to your legs.
  • Then hold this position until momentary muscle failure is achieved and roll out of it.
  • Partner: Your job is to make sure the person exercising is breathing, and remind them to keep their elbows on their knees.
  • Hold this position for as long as you can.

Photo courtesy of Laura Crump Anderson.

  • Then switch and let them enjoy the challenge.
  • If you are holding it for less than one minute, try doing this exercise twice a week until you work up to a minute.
  • If it takes you more than 90 seconds or longer to reach momentary muscle failure increase the challenge by tipping further back or sitting closer to your heels.

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: 7 Horses For Sale in Sunny Florida

By on Feb 4, 2018 11:09 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.

If you’re looking to do a shopping trip in an area with a high density of horses for sale, escape the cold and take a trip south! Last week we featured a selection of horses for sale in Aiken, SC. This week, we’re highlighting horses available to try in Ocala, FL.

Lanzz. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

CCI** Schoolmaster, Perfect Gentleman for YR or AA

Lanzz is a 16.3 2005 Bay Dan WB/TB cross (Languester (Dan WB) x Classical Jazz (Tb)). Henry is a 2 star schoolmaster with several wins at the Preliminary and Intermediate levels. He has a heart of gold and is the ultimate gentleman. He has completed two seasons at the Intermediate/2* level and prior to that he has a flawless preliminary/1* record.

He is easy on the flat with nice movement scoring in the 20’s and low 30’s and an incredible classic, correct jump. He is the most forgiving type that will jump from any distance and fix any mistakes, making him the perfect schoolmaster to get Preliminary and Intermediate miles on. Before eventing he also successfully competed in 1.30 showjumping with an adult amateur. His barn manners and temperament make him a delightful addition to any barn. Located in Ocala.

Sport pony. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

14h Sport Pony mare for sale

Very sadly outgrown. 14 hh, 9 yo Sport pony mare. This stunning mare is super athletic and very scopey. Successfully competed through the novice level eventing. She will go on the bit with an experienced rider. She has done it all from pony club, eventing (including the AEC’s), schooling jumpers, young rider camp, winters in Florida, TONS of trail riding mileage, beach rides, ETC.

She has been an amazing pony for my kid. This flashy pony is ideal for a junior rider (or small adult) ready for their second pony! Not for a beginner as she has more go than whoa. Rider in recent videos is almost 5’3″. Self loads, stands for farrier, LOVES to be groomed. Located in Ocala.

Semper Fidelis. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Semper Fidelis- Training level experience scope for more. Perfect for YR on a budget

“Semper Fidelis” Evan is a lovely and well built 2009 16.2 thoroughbred gelding with lots of chrome! Thoroughbred fans will really appreciate his way of going with a quality canter and a confirmed change. He has a soft mouth and goes all three phases in a plain snaffle. Hacks alone or in a group on the buckle. Evan has competed through training level eventing with scope for much more and would be equally as competitive in the jumper ring. Great for a YR on a budget! Located in Ocala.

Vendi. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Promising Imported Young Horse with Excellent Movement and Jump

Vendi is a stunning 2012 ISH gelding standing 16.2. He has excellent gaits and a scopey jump. He competed in YEH classes in Ireland as a 5 year old and has extensive show jumping experience including several 1.20 classes. He has all the makings to be a top event horse; great athleticism combined with a great temperament and trainability.

Vendi is a barn favorite with his in your pocket personality. He is starting his US event career in FL in January and is available to be tried in Ocala. Vendi has the scope and athleticism for a professional to bring up the levels but also has a great temperament and demeanor for a YR or AA. Located in Ocala.

Ideally. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Ideally- 16.2 Grey Oldenburg Mare

Marci is a 2007 16.2 ISR/Oldenburg mare (Ideal x Fria the Ice Queen). She is a safe and proven adult amateur mount with many wins through second level dressage. A true all rounder, she has also competed in the Pre- Green hunters through 3’3” at A shows and could continue in that direction.

Marci has evented four times at novice level, placing first three times and second once. With dressage scores consistently in the low to mid 20s and a superb jumping record, Marci is ready to show someone the ropes in whichever discipline they choose. Half sister to three star mare Cool As Ice.

Simon. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Prelim Packer – Potential to be dressage horse

Sympatico (Simon) is a 9yo 17h TB gelding who has competed through Preliminary. Simon has never had a run out/stop from his first cross rail to his last Prelim fence. He has big movements in all 3 gaits. Moves more like a warmblood than a thoroughbred. He is brave and bold cross country, very point and shoot.

Although he does have some clear stadium rounds, he is not always the most careful horse in the ring, which is reflected in his sale price. Simon has a lot of schooling and would be a great choice to build confidence cross country. This amazing horse has taken me from never even having shown, to Training in my first year and Preliminary in under 2 years.

His dressage is big and forward. He’s confirmed on the bit and has a trot that’s easy to sit. He’s showing first level dressage and has the potential to go on as a dressage horse. Simon can also hack out alone or in a group. Busy roads or quiet trails, he’s always a good boy. Not spooky and never bucks.

Simon has impeccable ground manners. Always a barn favourite wherever he goes. Puppy dog attitude, which is evident the second you meet him. Loads, clips, bathes, stands for farrier etc. UTD on shots and teeth. Located in Ocala.

Bellagio. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Competitive Training Level Eventer

“Bellagio” is a 13 year old, 16.1 h, Dutch warmblood cross mare. Training level eventing experience, with competitive dressage scores (often in the 20s). Started as a dressage horse and transitioned easily to an eventing career. Comfortably schooling preliminary level showjumping and cross country and 2nd level dressage movements. Amateur/junior friendly but not for a beginner. Great horse for ambitious eventing or dressage rider who wants to be competitive in the show ring. Owner in college. Located in Ocala.

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.

Best of JN: When McLain Says Jump, You Say How High: Adrienne Sternlicht’s Creative Jump-Off Course

By on Feb 4, 2018 9:15 am -

Adrienne Sternlicht and Cristalline. Photo by Sportfot.

When there were 16 clear for the jump-off in the $132,000 Adequan Grand Prix CSI3*, coach McLain Ward knew his student Adrienne Sternlicht was going to have to get creative in her ride for the ribbons. The master himself drew up a plan for Adrienne to guide her mount, Cristalline, over an additional obstacle in the ring to shave some crucial seconds off their time. Their ride may not have been the first place round, but it definitely stole the show and drove the crowd wild. Just listen to the commentators cheering her on!

Adrienne said after the class that they “had to get a bit creative” with so much talent in the field, and with Cristalline being a naturally slower horse than some of the others in the field.

“It was exciting for me too,” recalled Adrienne. “We actually didn’t plan that when we walked. McLain told me that at two Olympics, he should have jumped the hedge and didn’t, so surely I could risk it in a three star grand prix. So I did! It was a unique experience for me and for my horse. She’s super brave. She actually responded better than I anticipated. We have to keep learning together.”

With a time of 39.36 seconds, Adrienne and Cristalline held the first place spot until Darragh Kenny shaved another second off of her winning time and Jessica Springsteen came in just 2/100s of a second faster later in the evening.

One cannot be disappointed with a third place finish against top notch competition in a CSI3* event, however, and we give mad props to Adrienne and McLain for their daredevilish attempt to get the job done. Just another reminder that your course is what you make it and a little bit of creativity can go a long way!

Go jumping.

Sunday Links Presented by One K Helmets

By on Feb 4, 2018 12:01 am -

Photo by Stephanie Rhodes Bosch Jenkins.

They are never to young to learn about helmet safety! Stephanie Rhodes Bosch’s daughter, Izzy, demonstrates how important it is to mind your melon, even if you’re riding a unicorn! Too cute.

National Holiday: National Homemade Soup Day

U.S. Weekend Action:

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

Sporting Days H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Results]

Galway Downs Winter H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Results]

Sunday Links:

Ever wondered how a hunt kennels works? Go behind-the-scenes with the Belvoir Hunt

Grid Pro Quo with Sally Cousins

Ray Dance Beat The Odds With Charlotte Jorst

Concussion issues can linger for years, New Zealand study finds

Showjumper banned for five years after ‘damaging sport’s reputation’

Association implores horse owners: Don’t break your vet

Behind The Photo: Who Needs Wings When You’ve Got Springs For Feet?

Saturday Video: Dakota The Super Pony is Back!

By on Feb 3, 2018 4:00 pm -

You may remember the a certain darling pony from her impromptu catch ride for Mark Todd last fall. To jog your memory…

The stunning 12hh Dartmoor cross is named Dakota, and she is loved by a young girl named Millie who is a quite talented rider herself!

Dakota made the rounds on social media last fall, becoming an instant sensation, and now she’s back with a new rider in tow – none other that Pippa Funnell. Pippa took a spin on the handy pony following a demo clinic in Aberdeen, UK.

“A lot of fun was had including riding Millie Lawson’s little Dakota. What a lovely lovely pony. A true school mistress putting up with amateurs such as Sir Mark Todd and myself. She was 11.2 but after my weight she is now a Shetland.
Thank you Millie,” Pippa shared on her Facebook page.

A pony clearly worth her weight in gold.

Go Dakota.