Classic Eventing Nation

Saturday Video: Can’t Stop Volunteering

By on Jan 13, 2018 4:00 pm -

“I got this feelin’ inside my bones”

“It goes electric, wavy when the first horse goes”

Who among us doesn’t love a good eventing-themed remix? Loyal British Eventing volunteers Elin Stenberg, Alix Copping & Helen Bowler certainly do. They’ve mixed up an epic remix to Justin Timberlake’s “Cant’ Stop the Feeling!” Listen up and remember to thank a volunteer!

It gets off to a great start:

I got that stopwatch ’round my neck now

I’ve got that clipboard in my hand

Feel that hot tea in my body and that cake… cake

It keeps picking up:

Out in the fields with our radios

Nowhere to hide when the good weather goes

When we’re here we can watch our heroes

So just imagine, just imagine… 

And they bring it home with the chorus:

Nothing I can see but you when you prance, prance, prance

Feel a good, good creeping up on you

So just prance, prance, prance, come on

All those things I could be doing 

But you prance, prance, prance

And ain’t nobody leaving soon so keep prancing

To all the volunteers who spend their weekends watching us prance, we sincerely thank you!

Heads Up! Changes to the 2018 North American Eventing Calendar [Updated 2/6]

By on Jan 13, 2018 1:30 pm -

Stable View is adding FEI divisions in 2018 to the popular Advanced Oktoberfest Horse Trials, Sept. 28-30 in Aiken, South Carolina. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

New year, new competition schedule! From new horse trials to surprising cancellations on the North American eventing calendar, EN has compiled a list of canceled events and divisions, new events and divisions, date changes, plus which events are offering the new Modified division.

If you know of a change to an event that is not listed below, please email [email protected] so we can update the list. Best of luck to all in the 2018 season! Go Eventing.

Canceled Events & Divisions

No Wellington Eventing Showcase: Equestrian Sports Productions confirmed to EN that the Wellington Eventing Showcase (Wellington, Florida) will not run in 2018 due to a scheduling conflict with. [Full Story]

No January, February, September Events at Poplar Place: Poplar Place (Hamilton, Georgia) has a new owner in Launa DesPortes for 2018, and the facility and calendar will be receiving an overhaul. As a result, the January, February and September horse trials have all been canceled for 2018. [Poplar Place Calendar]

No CIC3* at Pine Top: Pine Top (Thomson, Georgia) has run the first CIC3* of the year in the U.S. for the past two seasons, but there is no CIC3* in 2018. Pine Top will still run the CIC2* and CIC1*, as well as National divisions for Training-Advanced on Feb. 22-25. [Omnibus Listing]

Inaugural Event at Live Oak Canceled: We were excited to see Live Oak receive approval to add a CIC3* during its popular show jumping and driving competition on March 17-18, but the horse trials have now been canceled. [Canceled Omnibus Listing]

Advanced Division Pending at Carolina International: While there is no Advanced division currently listed on the omnibus for Carolina International Horse Trials (Raeford, North Carolina), the event has applied to add it back onto the schedule. Stay tuned to the omnibus listing. [Omnibus]

Colorado Horse Park Cancels Three Events: Colorado Horse Park (Parker, Colorado) has canceled three horse trials in May, August and September in order to focus on running the American Eventing Championships. [Full Story]

Roebke’s Run Cancels Both Horse Trials: Roebke’s Run (Hector, Minnesota) has canceled both the June and July horse trials. [Full Story]

Grindstone Mountain Cancels Both Events: Grindstone Mountain Farm (Southampton, Massachusetts) has canceled both the May and September horse trials. [Canceled Omnibus Listing]

No Event at Aspen Ridge: Aspen Ridge H.T. (Monument, Colorado) has canceled the July 14-15 event. [Canceled Omnibus Listing]

No Fall Event at Surefire: Surefire Farm (Purcellville, Virginia) has canceled the fall horse trials, Sept. 29-30, but will still host the summer horse trials on June 22-24. [Canceled Omnibus Listing]

New Events & Divisions

New Event in Southern Arizona: Southern Arizona H.T. (Tuscon, Arizona) is set to host its inaugural horse trials March 24-25, with Beginner Novice through Preliminary/Training divisions. Adri Doyle is the cross country course designer and Manuela Propfe is the show jumping course designer. We look forward to following along with this Area X addition. [Omnibus Listing]

New Event at Grand Oaks: Grand Oaks (Weirsdale, Florida) will host its inaugural horse trials Jan. 18-21, with Preliminary-Beginner Novice divisions. Clayton Fredericks is the cross country course designer, with Chris Barnard as show jumping course designer. Grand Oaks will also host a fall horse trials on Nov. 23-25. [Omnibus Listing]

Heart of the Carolinas Adding Preliminary & P3D: Heart of the Carolinas (Chesterfield, South Carolina) is adding a Preliminary division and a Preliminary Three-Day to the May 3-6 event. Heart of the Carolinas, Waredaca and Hagyard MidSouth are now the only venues in the country offering a P3D. [Omnibus Listing]

New Event at Horse Park of New Jersey: The NJ Region’s Horse Trials will run for the first time at the Horse Park of New Jersey, June 2-3, with Beginner Novice through Modified divisions. [Omnibus Listing]

Five Points Returns to Carolina Horse Park: After taking a hiatus in 2017, Five Points H.T. (Raeford, North Carolina) is back on the autumn calendar, offering Beginner Novice-Advanced divisions, as well as FEH and YEH classes, on Sept. 8. [Omnibus Listing]

Event at Archer Adds New Date: The Event at Archer (Cheyenne, Wyoming) is adding an additional date with Starter-Preliminary levels to fill the May 31-June 3 gap on the Area IX calendar due to Colorado Horse Park canceling its horse trials. [Omnibus Listing]

Power Basin Horse Trials Adding Prelim: Powder Basin Horse Trials (Gillette, Wyoming) is adding a Preliminary division to the July 7-8 event in order to fill the Area IX calendar following the cancellations at Colorado Horse Park. [Omnibus Listing]

Maryland Horse Trials Adds FEH/YEH/NEH Qualifiers: Maryland Horse Trials (Adamstown, Maryland) is adding qualifiers for the USEA Future Event Horse, Young Event Horse and New Event Horse programs on April 24, May 26 and Sept. 1. [New Event Horse Program]

Bromont Adding New CIC Competition: Bromont is adding a new competition with a CIC3*, CIC2* and CIC1* for Aug. 18-19 in Quebec with Derek di Grazia as course designer. [Full Story]

Foshay International Coming to New Brunswick: Foshay International will host the first FEI event in Atlantic Canada over Labor Day weekend, Aug.-Sept. 2 in New Brunswick, offering the FEI’s new Introductory level and a CCI1*. [Full Story]

Stable View Adding CIC3*, CIC2*, CIC1*: Stable View is adding FEI divisions to their popular Advanced Oktoberfest Horse Trials, Sept. 28-30 in Aiken, South Carolina. [Omnibus Listing]

MDHT Adds Beginner Novice Three-Day: Maryland Horse Trials (Adamstown, Maryland) is adding a Beginner Novice Three-Day to the Oct. 12-14 horse trials. They are now the fifth event in the country to to host a BN3DE. [Omnibus Listing]

Ocala Jockey Club Adding CCI3*: Event organizer Shelley Page confirmed that the Ocala Jockey Club will add a CCI3* on Nov 15-18 in Ocala, Florida. [Omnibus Listing]

Date Changes

Stone Gate Farm H.T. Moving to August: Stone Gate Farm H.T. (Hanoverton, Ohio) is moving to an earlier date, Aug. 24-26, to prevent a conflict with the World Equestrian Games. The event offers Starter-Preliminary divisions, as well as Young Event Horse, Future Event Horse and New Event Horse divisions. [Omnibus Listing]

Plantation Field One Week Later: Plantation Field International Horse Trials is shifted back one week on the calendar to Sept. 20-23. While the event usually runs the second weekend in September, eventing at the 2018 World Equestrian Games will be running that weekend at Tryon. [Omnibus Listing]

USEF High Performance Talks Game Plan for WEG and Beyond

By on Jan 13, 2018 11:30 am -

Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4 finished seventh individually as the highest placed U.S. combination at the 2014 World Equestrian Games. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Building on his meetings with the USEF High Performance athletes at the 2017 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, newly hired Eventing Performance Director Erik Duvander has unveiled further details on his strategic plan for the 2018 season.

With an emphasis on identifying, selecting and supporting U.S. combinations, the USEF Eventing High Performance Program has recently undergone a face lift that places emphasis on strategic development for the immediate and future goals of both individual riders and teams.

“The immediate focus of the Eventing High Performance Program is qualification, preparation, and execution of a successful World Equestrian Games,” Erik said. “In preparation for the WEG, the majority of our horses will target a spring CCI4*, and we look forward to a strong showing at the Land Rover Kentucky CCI4*, in addition to some horses representing the U.S. at Badminton and Luhmühlen and spring CCI3*s.

“We will then utilize the FEI Nations Cups at Great Meadow, and our hope is to secure an invitation to Aachen to practice and prepare in a team environment twice in July.”

Riders with multiple horses aimed toward the WEG will divide them between the spring CCIs in order to have time to focus on each individual horse at the major competitions in preparation for WEG. The eventing portion of WEG will take place Sept. 12-16 at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina.

“We will train and prepare every day to select and field a team with a serious chance of winning a medal,” Erik said. “However, if strategic decisions have to be made on the field of play, we will take into consideration that our USOC-approved target is Olympic qualification.”

Looking Ahead to the Next Four Years

For 2018, the USEF High Performance program will also focus on developing realistic and individualized performance plans for riders that provide clarity, purpose and focus, as well as prepares riders for championships and team competitions at the highest level.

Additional goals for the High Performance program remaining continue cross country education and improvement, increased communication between athletes and support staff within the program and team, and creating a four-year plan for success across the program’s three tiers: Elite, Developing and Emerging Athlete.

USEF High Performance is in the process of developing a four-year performance plan for the three-tiered program that looks to the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru; the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan; and beyond to other championships, as well as funding for training lists and targeted overseas competitions.

Elite High Performance

The Elite Program consists of combinations that are considered to be, or will be, “internationally competitive at Games level” before the next WEG or Olympic Games. With the goal of WEG and Olympic qualification and podium achievement, criteria for selection to the Elite Program includes a track record of success, depth and talent of a string of horses, and the athlete’s ability to produce peak performances in conditions similar to the Games.

The Elite Program provides athletes access to training resources; veterinary and human medical advice; and financial support through coaching, training, and travel grants. All combinations are reviewed based on agreed-upon targets and performance indicators, such as competitions results, return to fitness and training targets. Combinations that fail to meet their targets within an agreed time frame can be removed from the Elite Program.

Development Program

The Development Program seeks to identify and support combinations that are “well on their way to performing at an elite level” through measured success at CCI3*, CICO3* and CCI4* competitions. The two-tiered system for the Development Program introduced in 2017 will continue in 2018.

Tier 1 of the Development Program, called Elite Potential, is designed to support experienced international athletes with horses on a trajectory to reach the Elite criteria in the next four years. These athletes will receive the same access to USEF training resources as the Elite Program.

Tier 2 of the Developing Program is for athletes who have not previously been selected for a team or met the Elite criteria but are on a trajectory to achieve Elite status in this or the next Olympic cycle. Click here to view the horse and rider combinations named to the 2018 USEF Eventing Winter Training Lists.

In choosing the combinations for the training lists, the USEF Eventing Selectors of Bobby Costello, Phyllis Dawson, Debbie Furnas, Jan Byyny and Derek di Grazia review results and performance and analyze potential in consultation with Erik Duvander. The lists are reviewed bi-annually in consultation with the USEF High Performance Working Group and the USEF Eventing Sport Committee.

“Athletes who have their own effective coaching and management set-ups, which are then supplemented by the High Performance Program and its benefits, are very important,” Erik.  “Our intention is to use, whenever possible, four-star events to prepare and practice in that environment where appropriate for individual and team competition training.”

Emerging Athletes

The Emerging Athlete Program also uses a two-tier system, Eventing 25 and Eventing 18, and includes an accepted participants list as well as an auditing participants list, designating riders with the potential to become future team candidates. Click here to view the Eventing 25 riders and here to view the Eventing 18 riders.

Emerging Athlete riders participate in or audit training sessions and lectures focused on horse management, physiotherapy and show jumping course design. Goals of this program are to develop talent that can be nurtured to produce riders to represent the U.S. at the international level.

USEF Eventing Emerging Athlete Coach Leslie Law will continue as the coach for this program and led the first Eventing 25 Training Sessions of the 2018 season this week in Ocala, Florida. The USEF Emerging Athletes Working Group is currently evaluating this program and plans to roll out improvements and changes to the structure in 2019.

USEF High Performance funding, which is supported by the USET Foundation, U.S. Olympic Committee, and USEF sponsors and members, “is not support for all, but rather is about trying to target athletes and horses that will contribute to the aim of sustained success at Games level.”

The USEF also noted that “inclusion or exclusion on a Training List does not imply or preclude an athlete for selection for a Games and Championships. Performance markers, key performance indicators, and soundness of horses may determine where and when funding is allocated.”

The current 2018 USEF Eventing High Performance Training Lists will be reviewed in June. Click here to read the full press release from the USEF.

[US Equestrian Eventing High Performance Program Emphasizes Focuses on Immediate and Future Athlete Success]

The Sky’s The Limit for Eventing 25 Emerging Athlete Clara Cargile

By on Jan 13, 2018 9:00 am -

The Emerging Athlete Eventing 25 winter training session wrapped up this week in Ocala, Florida, January 8-11. We are excited to introduce you to some of the riders making their debut on the E25 list, which can be viewed here. Today: Clara Cargile!

Clara Cargile and White Indian. Photo by Sportfot.

For Clara Cargile, a love of horses was hereditary. Growing up on a ranch in west Texas introduced her riding at a young age and from there the infatuation only grew.

“I’m from a ranching family,” she said. “So when I was young my dad wanted all my siblings and I to learn how to ride so we could be competent riding at the ranch. He wanted us to learn good horse management so that we could understand that these are live animals. It’s not just play with them and put them away, you have to take care of them. ”

She began taking beginner lessons in town before joining her local Pony Club, which would be her formal introduction to eventing. “I went to all the rallies on my pony and then started doing recognized shows. That’s how I got into eventing and I’ve been riding ever since,” she smiled.

In 2012, Clara met her new partner White Indian, a striking grey Irish Sport Horse (White Clover x Indian Kitt) who would propel her up the levels of the sport. “Worzel” was sourced from Nick Campbell’s yard by her trainer Mike Huber and his assistant trainer at the time Heather Morris.

“I’ve had him for five and a half years. I bought him in the summer of 2012. My old horse maxed out at training and I needed something that could teach me the ropes at the Prelim/one-star level,” Clara said. “He had only done some Prelim when I got him, so we’ve really grown up together. I had him all through high school and now college. We’ve been through it all together.”

Clara Cargile and White Indian. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

“In the barn he’s quite a character. He’s kind of like a dog. He loves to be social,” Clara grinned. “Under saddle he takes some convincing to tell him what you want to do, especially on the flat. He changes every single day. I get different types of horses every day with him. He has a big personality kind of all the time.”

They found quick success in competition, and less than a year after he arrived Clara and Worzel were completing their first CIC*. They continued honing their skills and polishing their performances, moving up and becoming competent at the two-star level even earning individual silver in the CICY2* at the 2016 Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Riders Championship.

2017 was another big year for the duo. They made their Advanced debut early in the season before Clara relocated Worzel to Jennie Brannigan’s barn in Pennsylvania. This set the 20-year-old up with an impressive balancing act between riding and also maintaining her studies at Texas Christian University where she is currently a junior. 

“It’s a feat. I don’t get to ride every single day. I’m constantly flying back and forth to ride and then going back to school. It’s hard because whenever I’m a school I think I need to be riding, and whenever I’m riding I’m thinking about this assignment due next week,” she described. 

“It’s a lot of balancing and it’s a lot of sleepless nights, but I have an incredible team behind me and I have a lot people that really make it work for me – my parents, my coaches and everyone in between that really makes it possible.”

When I’m at school I’m not worried about ‘oh is Worzel getting taken care of?’ because I know he is and I know that they’re riding him super well. And when I come in they focus a lot on honing in on the time I have there. It’s definitely difficult, but it’s totally worth it.”

Clara Cargile and White Indian at Plantation Field. Photo by Amy Dragoo.

Their fall season on the East Coast took them to many new venues including Plantation Field and Morven Park before cementing this year’s success at the Ocala Jockey Club CCI2*. Finding herself named to an E25 Emerging Athlete was the cherry on top of a super year.

“It was really exciting. This was my first year to apply to any of these teams, so I wasn’t expecting much you know having one horse and mostly being out in Texas for the majority of the time, so it was really exciting when I got that email,” she beamed.

Clara shared that in having this opportunity, she sees the potential in a long term career with horses. “I used to always say that I never wanted to be a professional, but now as I’ve gotten older and now that I’m based on the East Coast I think that’s something I really want. Especially being around the other Under 25 riders and watching them,” she said.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd3cfm6nj4t/?taken-by=clara.cargile.equestrian

Working with USEF Eventing Emerging Athlete Coach Leslie Law at this week’s training camp has been an exciting start to this journey for Clara, one which she says extends beyond lessons in the arena.

“A big part of the camp is learning about, ‘Ok so you have the talent to be a good rider, but outside of riding what does it take to become an international competitor and be successful as a business person?’. It’s a lot of horse care and everything. He’s so knowledgeable. He can give you so much advice and it’s like a mentorship program. Whenever he’s coaching you he gives you different tools that you hadn’t really thought out.”

“[The Emerging Athlete group]  ranges in experience, but it’s really inspiring. As Leslie says, it’s the pipeline to the U.S. teams. Ultimately I do want to represent the U.S. on an international stage, so it’s really motivating to come to these camps because it encourages you that ‘ok I can do this and this is something that I really do want.’ My main goal, along with so many people, is to one day be on one of those U.S. teams. To be named to the Under 25 team is really exciting because it’s a step to that.”

Go eventing. Go Clara!

Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on Jan 13, 2018 12:01 am -

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

With the dawn of the New Year comes a new way to practice our fancy prancing – even for those of us stuck indoors in colder climates! Betterdressagescores.com is a brand new, innovative way for event and dressage riders in the U.S. and Canada to get professional feedback on their tests without breaking the bank or even leaving their home arena.

“Shows” are held at the end of each month – simply choose your test, ride and video it, and send it in with your entry. Your test will be scored and you’ll receive feedback from ‘r’ judges plus you’ll be in the running for ribbons and year-end prizes! Check it out!

National Holiday: National Rubber Ducky Day

U.S. Weekend Action:

Stable View Aiken Opener H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

Saturday Links:

US Equestrian Eventing High Performance Program Emphasizes Focuses on Immediate and Future Athlete Success

Camarero, San Luis Rey Responders to Receive Special Eclipse Award

Ride The Moment On Cross-Country: Day 4 Of The USEF Emerging Athlete Eventing 25 Program Training Session

PODCAST: Erin Sylvester: 2017 Rebecca Broussard International Developing Rider Grant Winner

Zara Tindall On Four Key Figures That Helped Her Reach the Top of the Sport

Kicking Off the 2018 Season With Great Britain’s Emily King

10 Retired Racehorse Resources on TheHorse.com

Saturday Video: Speaking of Zara Tindell…

The Queen Takes Her Grandchildren Riding – 1992

Posted by NRM Horseboxes on Saturday, March 25, 2017

Friday Video from World Equestrian Brands: The Ups, Downs and Soggy Breeches of the ERM

By on Jan 12, 2018 5:30 pm -

Work hard, play hard! Photo courtesy of Event Rider Masters.

High-stakes cross-country, the chance to make judgment calls about your favourite rider’s taste in music, and a jolly good soaking with a few bottles of Pol Roger: it’s what eventing’s all about, really, right?

The team behind the Event Rider Masters series is gearing up for its third year of cutting-edge technology and bonkers, brilliant broadcasts. To whet your appetite, they’ve released this montage of some of the best thrills and spills (and a champagne-soaked Tom Carlile) from the 2017 season — somehow, they’ve managed to make eating dirt look quite cool, which fills me with hope for my own competition season. It’s amazing what a good soundtrack can do.

Thomas Carlile and Upsilon at the Barbury leg of the 2017 ERM. Photo courtesy of eventridermasters.tv/Ben Clarke.

If three and a half minutes isn’t quite enough to fill the coffers, clear your diary and click through to the ERM YouTube channel, where you can find all the original live broadcasts in their glory. Just don’t expect to get any work done for a very long time. You. Are. Welcome.

 

 

Social Media Roundup: Eventing 25 Winter Training Session

By on Jan 12, 2018 2:00 pm -

US Equestrian’s Eventing 25 athletes have just wrapped up their winter training session in Ocala, Florida. These 15 riders have spent the last four days riding and learning with USEF Eventing Emerging Athlete Coach Leslie Law as well as US Eventing Performance Director Erik Duvander and FEI Show Jumping Course Designer Chris Barnard.

Here’s what went down on social media:

 

Foxwood High Crowned 2017 Eventing Nation Horse of the Year

By on Jan 12, 2018 11:22 am -

Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High at Kentucky 2017. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

We are delighted to announce that John and Judy Rumble’s Foxwood High has been named 2017 Eventing Nation Horse of the Year after besting the field of six nominees in a decisive victory this week. Now in its fifth year, EN readers select the Horse of the Year by voting for the equine athlete they deem most worthy of the title. “Woody” is the first Canadian horse to take the title.

A 15-year-old Canadian Sport Horse, by Rio Bronco W out of Evita II and bred in Canada by Epstein Equestrian, Woody won the vote on the same day he was named to the 2018 Equestrian Canada Eventing High Performance National Squad. His longtime partner Selena O’Hanlon told EN that Woody is feeling fantastic after his vacation and ready to dominate once again 2018.

Foxwood High’s owners John and Judy Rumble, far right and left, accept the 2017 Fair Hill Bronze Trophy from Trish Gilbert and Tim Dutta, center. Photo by Jenni Autry.

In reflecting back on 2017, which proved to be the best season of Woody’s career to date, Selena said their historic win in the Fair Hill International CCI3* and becoming the first Canadian combination to take the prestigious victory absolutely stands out as the highlight.

“The Fair Hill win stands out clearly, mostly because the horse got personal bests in all three phases at that level,” Selena said. “Breaking into the 30s in dressage had definitely been a goal for the year. It was also encouraging to have him feeling good for show jumping after running around Fair Hill, because it’s a pretty relentless cross country course. I think he’s come into his own in terms of fitness and strength.”

In addition to the Fair Hill CCI3* win, Selena and Woody won Red Hills Advanced, finished 11th at Kentucky CCI4* as the highest placed Canadian pair, placed fifth in the Nations Cup at Great Meadow CICO3* and finished third in the Plantation Field CIC3*. Woody finished outside the top 10 just once in the 2017 season, which saw him named 2017 USEA Advanced Horse of the Year. He was also nominated for 2017 EquiRatings Horse of the Year.

John Rumble, left, and Selena O’Hanlon accept the award for 2017 USEA Advanced Horse of the Year from USEA President Carol Kozlowski. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Now Selena has her sights set firmly on achieving even bigger results with Woody in the 2018 season. While his dedicated owners, John and Judy Rumble, had originally intended to aim Woody for the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials in 2019, they decided to move the trip up to 2018 following the horse’s big win at Fair Hill.

Having his horse compete at Badminton will mark a longtime dream for John Rumble. He trained on the grounds as a guest of the Duke of Beaufort as a member of both the 1952 and 1956 Canadian Olympic eventing teams and has always wanted to have his own horse compete at Badminton.

EquiJet has generously stepped in to fund Woody’s flight to England, and fundraising efforts are underway to cover the cost of getting him back home. “Everyone has been really generous and asking where they can help,” Selena said. “Caroline Petty set up a GoFundMe page. Even private sponsors have stepped in, and friends who want to host a fundraiser. We’re definitely getting all the help the Rumbles need.”

Foxwood High will return to Red Hills in 2018 to defend his win. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Selena competed her Olympic partner Colombo at Badminton in 2011 and said while she is thrilled at the prospect of returning to the storied venue, she is also approaching the 2018 season with the same philosophy that guides her each year with Woody — one show at a time.

“I do one show at a time, really concentrating on the dressage to try to make sure Woody has a little bit of a lead so he can have breathing room for the show jumping,” she said. “I try to relish it and enjoy the process. As we all know, horses are humbling. You might not achieve your goals every time out, so you have to enjoy the steps it takes to get there.”

After spending some time at Christilot Boylen’s winter base in Wellington working on his dressage, Woody joined Selena in Ocala last week. She plans to start his season with an Advanced combined test at the Florida Horse Park, followed by Rocking Horse Advanced and then on to Red Hills to defend their win.

Selena is hoping to head to England early to run Woody’s final prep for Badminton at an event like Belton before going on to the biggest test of their partnership to date. “I like the idea of going back somewhere I’ve been with Colombo,” she said. “Badminton is a big, galloping course, and I’ve talked to fellow competitors who think it will be a good course for Woody.”

Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High at the 2014 World Equestrian Games. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Woody is already qualified for the 2018 World Equestrian Games thanks to his Fair Hill win, but of course he will need to make his case for selection this spring. Selena has competed on the last two World Equestrian Games teams for Canada, with Colombo in 2010 when the Canadian team won silver and with Woody in 2014 when the team finished sixth.

“For the last two years, the way that I planned my season was around the team and team selection, and I think John and I both decided from now on we’ll plan to enjoy Woody and do the season the way the owners would like it done. John and Judy enjoy Red Hills and are excited about Badminton. Obviously they will also be very happy if Woody makes the WEG team.”

Congratulations to Woody and all of his connections on being named 2017 Eventing Nation Horse of the Year. We wish Team Woody all the best in the 2018 season! Go Eventing.

Best of HN: 3 Ways to Deal With ’52 Free Thoroughbreds’

By on Jan 12, 2018 9:00 am -

Remember that viral post about the 52 free Thoroughbreds in need of homes immediately or they’re all going to slaughter due to lack of interest from an inheriting family member?

Guess what’s just come back around, harder to kill than a cockroach.

The post itself, and its many slightly different iterations, reads as follows:

FREE HORSES!!! 52 thoroughbred horses need homes. Will go to Sugarcreek this Sat. for slaughter. Gentleman died and his son wants nothing to do with them. Most broodmares are broke and some are in foal weanling, yearlings, 2yrs. and 3yrs. old most are gelded. FREE and papered. Friend of the deceased is trying to find homes. 440-463-4288 Barnesville, OH.
Please copy and paste this on your status.
I would hate to see all these house put down. PLEASE someone help they FREE and papered!!!!!

I hope someone can help!

Somehow, due to the magic of the Facebook algorithm, this thing rears its head almost annually — it would be a fascinating study in the mysteries of social media to figure out just exactly how this post manages to resurface, catch a few unsuspecting, well-intended individuals and take off yet again to bedevil horse people everywhere.

In case you’re not familiar with the full, original story, this WAS a real, desperate need in late January of 2011 — Daniel Steans, DVM passed away on January 27, 2011 and his good friend Lynn Boggs took to Facebook to try to find homes for his 52 Thoroughbreds. Thanks to the power of social media, all 52 horses found homes in just four days — read the story on Eventing Nation.

Unfortunately for all of us seven years later, the presumable posts of triumph and gratefulness didn’t go viral. Now, the original plea for homes comes back to haunt us, somehow becoming the punchline to a thousand equestrian jokes and driving us to distraction. It catches everyone from your sweet Aunt Judith who knows you’re into horses and thinks maybe you could help to actual horse people who simply never heard about it the first half-a-dozen times — I myself was sent this from a horse owner who was convinced it was a different set of 52 Thoroughbreds in need of homes.

It’s the Nigerian Prince email for horse people, only without the actual scam.

Fortunately, there are several productive ways we can contend with the 52 free Thoroughbreds:

1. Share the good news about the original 52 free Thoroughbreds and thank the sender for their concern.

Whether it’s sweet, clueless Aunt Judith or your fellow boarder who sends you the message/tags you in a post/writes this on your Timeline non-ironically and in all seriousness, they’re acting based on genuine concern and belief that you might be equipped to help these horses in a time of crisis. Isn’t that a good thing?

The last thing we should do in these situations is curtly tell the concerned friend that this is fake and that you’re sick to death of seeing it (even if you are). Instead, take this as an opportunity to educate and inform your friend about the true story, let them know you appreciate their concern and belief that you can help, and maybe gently, casually remind them how important it is these days to vet your sources for basically anything you read on the Internet.

After all, for some of your Facebook friends, this is one of the only interactions with the horse world they might have, and it’s important not to give them the wrong impression.

2. Turn it into a benefit for real Thoroughbreds — or any horse — in need of a home ASAP.

I’ve seen this now in a couple of different places online and I think it’s a great idea — for every 52 free Thoroughbreds post out there, there are plenty of very real horses in immediate crisis who are in need of a soft landing. Social media users are encouraging one another to make a small donation to a favorite equine charity every time they see the 52 free Thoroughbreds post — some are aiding other Thoroughbreds via off-track aftercare, others are reaching out to rescues plucking horses from slaughter sales. The charity isn’t as important as the intention — use this slight annoyance as an opportunity to do some good and save more horses destined for an untimely end!

3. When all else fails, there’s always this.

Go riding!

Friday News & Notes from SmartPak

By on Jan 12, 2018 12:03 am -

American Pharoah statue debuted at Oaklawn Park yesterday! Photo courtesy of Pioneerofthenile FB.

National Holiday: National Marzipan Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Stable View Aiken Opener H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

News From Around the Globe:

The Equestrian Canada (EC) Eventing Committee has announced the 2018 High Performance Squad. The National Squad is made up of Colleen Loach, Jessica Phoenix, Selena O’Hanlon and Kathryn Robinson, while the Development Squad includes some ten other riders, most of which are based in the United States. [EC Eventing Committee Announces High Performance 2018]

Show Jumping World Number One Kent Farrington also lays claim to riding the highest earning horse for 2017. His fabulous mare, Gazelle, tops the charts with a whopping $1,236,012 in earnings for the competition year. The daughter of Kashmir Van Schuttershof and Diva ‘ter Elsen’ had victories at Spruce Meadows, Madrid, Wellington and notably Geneva, where their Grand Prix victory in December came with a whopping paycheque of $409,740. In comparison, the highest earning event horse was Nereo with $171,741. [Gazelle is Highest Earning Horse in 2017]

Best of Blogs: Jim Wofford: Now’s Your Chance

Attention all Lexington Kentucky residents! Emily Williams’ top hunter derby horse, Tybee, was stolen from the barn yesterday before the grooms served breakfast at 6:15 in the morning. A tack trunk with his name was also taken. He is a 17 hand, 10-year-old chestnut Hanoverian gelding with a blaze and four white socks, so hard to miss! [Hunter Derby Gelding Tybee Disappears]

Hot on Horse Nation: 44 Horses Loving the Winter Wonderland

All hail Nate Chambers:

 

Thanks for letting me sing my way into First Class @americanair 😂🙌🏻😜 #americanairlines #upgradedseats #delayedflightperks #travelstories #travel #karaoke #temptations #noshame #ainttooproudtobeg #FLtoVA

Posted by Nate Chambers on Wednesday, January 10, 2018