Was earning better dressage marks your New Year’s Resolution? Then this video is for you. Major League Eventing focuses on flatwork in episode three of their “Major League Training” video series. Dressage trainer Sally Lofting shares her game plan for working through tension in warm up. Her student, Sue Petley demonstrates on Venitia Starr, an 8-year-old Lusitano who currently competes at third level.
SpectraVET is committed to providing only the highest-quality products and services to our customers, and to educating the world in the science and art of laser therapy.
We design and manufacture the broadest range of clinically-proven veterinary therapeutic laser products, which are represented and supported worldwide by our network of specialist distributors and authorized service centers.
Fun question this week, guys: What’s your horse’s theme song?
For my pony sportscar Princess, Imma have to go with “Little Red Corvette” by Prince. Baby you’re much too fast … where have I heard that before? Oh yeah, about 50 times during my jump lesson this morning.
Liked it better when Prince was singing it. RIP Prince.
OK, citizens of EN, let ’em fly in the comments section below! Bonus EN karma if you dig up the music video.
Kheiron Biotech, based in Argentina, first made international equestrian headlines as a cloning headquarters, successfully cloning some of living polo legend Adolfo Cambioso’s greatest mounts. In fact, Cambioso rode a string of six clones of one of his favorite mares to help propel his team to a win in the Argentinian Open.
Clones are genetic copies of the original, which can provide some advantages to breeders and owners but do not genetically further a breed. Some clones are used as breeding stock, especially if the original horse is unable to breed (for example, if the original horse is a gelding). Others are trained for competition, with one theory being that a clone could feasibly be better than the original with a carefully-regimented training schedule to set the horse up with all available advantages. Clones are not recognized by some breed associations or registries, but the FEI does allow them to compete.
Kheiron Biotech has now pushed the envelope even further, revealing late in 2017 that the lab was able to not only clone but to genetically enhance the genomes of a clone: using a process referred to as Crispr (Clustered Regularly Inter-Spaced Palindromic Repeats) the research team can boost a gene sequence critical to muscle development, endurance and speed. The team was able to produce healthy embryos with this process, and there are plans to implant embryos into surrogate mares within the next two years.
The reaction
The research team believes that this process helps to speed up breeding — selected traits could be enhanced in the lab rather than over generations and generations of breeding with uncertain results. There are also plans to use the Crispr mechanism to edit other genes, with the possibility of eliminating genetic defects.
It’s a bit disingenuous to say “these horses will be allowed to compete in the Olympics.” The FEI has stated that as of right now there are no bans in place to bar genetically engineered horses from competition — simply because it hasn’t happened yet. The organization, however, does plan to continue to monitor these developments.
While the concept of being able to remove genetic defects and hereditary disease, speeding up efforts by breeders, certainly sounds appealing, the concept of “playing God” has been an ethical debate for years ever since Dolly the sheep, the first live cloned animal, popped onto the scene. As science continues to push the boundaries of what we believe is possible, the debate is sure to rage on.
Weigh in, Eventing Nation — what are your thoughts on genetic engineering in horses? Let us know in the comments — and go riding.
Photo via New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program.
Pony Club Members, Horsemasters and Riding Centers looking for a new mount have a neat opportunity to retrain a retired racehorse and take part in the New Vocations Pony Club Challenge which will be held in conjunction with Pony Club Championships East at the Tryon International Equestrian Center on July 25-29. Competitors will choose to show their New Vocation adoptee in one of six disciplines; those competing in the eventing challenge will ride a starter level combined test.
New Vocations will provide eligible USPC members with a challenge-eligible thoroughbred for free until January 31st and members have until July 2nd to register for the competition. Not only is the adoption fee waived, but each horse also comes with a $1,800 stipend generously provided by the WaterShed Animal Fund to use towards horse’s care, training, or other expenses.
Know of a Pony Clubber who might be interested? Here are three approved New Vocations horses ready to start the challenge:
Don’t let that adorable face fool you, this super cute gelding is hiding some serious athleticism under that winter coat! In just four races, he managed to earn over $60,000. His racing career was cut short by a bowed tendon which has since healed very well and is cleared for jumping. “Shifty” has only had a few rides off the track since his retirement, but he’s reported to be a very willing and amicable guy who just wants to please his rider.
This regal filly is a sweet girl whose breeders liked her so much they tracked her down and brought her back to Kentucky from California when it was time for her to retire. Sophia retired sound and could be retrained in any discipline, but she’ll need an advanced and confident Pony Clubber to bring her along because she can be barn sour at times. She’s also had some downtime since returning to Kentucky and has been ridden minimally since then, so she’s RRP eligible as well!
This is one of those horses whose Jockey Club registered name you may not want to use for their USEA registered name unless you really want to turn heads! This girl wasn’t very competitive at the track, but she has a nice sport horse pedigree with nice conformation to match. “Sneaky” is a easy-going and well-behaved girl who likes to get along with everyone. She’s as sound as they come though she does “roar,” but that doesn’t slow her down one bit.
The Emerging Athlete Eventing 25 winter training session is underway 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: Chris Talley!
Chris Talley and Sandro’s Star. Photo by ED/Hoofclix.com.
Chris Talley is much more than one of the most fashionable personas on the jog strip; he’s a self-driven, industrious, talented young professional with a bright future ahead. After a successful 2017 season which saw a move up to the Advanced and three-star level, Chris earned a spot on the 2018 Emerging Athletes Eventing 25 list.
At 23 years old, Chris has already carved his own path to the top levels of the sport and immersed himself in multiple facets of the equine industry. His journey to becoming a young professional started years ago, as an even younger professional who first formed his own business at the age of 14.
Growing up in Pennsylvania, Chris initially rode on the local hunter circuit before getting into eventing around the age of 12. “I think I wanted more of the thrill,” says Chris. “I started going to the open cross country schooling days at Fair Hill with my pony and got hooked on the adrenaline of it.”
Chris comes from a completely non-horsey family and can’t recall what initially got him hooked on horses. His parents tried to get him out of it because of the expense, encouraging his involvement in any other sport, but none of them stuck. Nothing bites like the horse-bug and eventually they gave in.
“I have to thank my parents for believing in me at a young age and letting me chase the dream,” says Chris. “They’re much more on the bandwagon now, but from a very young age they instilled in me that if I wanted do the horse thing I would have to pay for it myself.”
And pay for it himself he did.
At the age of 13, Chris got a job at the local Iron Spring Farm, a well-known and respected breeding facility, where he worked full-time on the weekends, holidays and during summer break. Soon after, Chris also forayed into business on his own by buying local ponies, working with them, and reselling them, and maintained this business simultaneously with his high school studies and work at Iron Spring Farm.
Chris was able to set money aside from his sales business which he would later use to offset his cost of living while taking a working student position with Ryan Wood in 2011. After a two and a half year stint with Ryan and after he also finished up high school online, Chris was certain that he wanted to continue as a professional equestrian and decided to hold off on college.
Chris Talley and Unmarked Bills at the Bromont CCI3* jog up. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
After his working student position, Chris restarted his training and sales business — this time down in Virginia where he would rent a barn to work out of. He galloped racehorses to help finance his venture and in doing so made connections which would help him grow his business of restarting and reselling horses off the track.
Selling horses is an aspect of the business that Chris has always been drawn to. “I love matching the right horses with the right people,” he says. “And I like seeing what each horse has to offer — whether it’s a talent for hunters or jumpers or eventing. It’s fun to figure that out.”
The relocation to Virginia also set in motion the series of event that would lead him to meet Hannah Salazaar, a performance horse breeder and dressage trainer, who, with her husband Antonio Salazaar, runs Zaragoza Acres in Jeffersonton, Virginia. Working together, the Salazaars and Chris are successfully running a multifaceted equestrian facility.
Chris says that going into business with Hannah has been one of the best things for his career. “She’s there for me as a best friend, mentor, and role model,” he says.
And it doesn’t hurt to have dressage professional on your team either: “Dressage has always been my weakest phase, so it’s amazing to have a trainer to work with and always have a good set of eyes on the ground.”
Chris Talley and Unmarked Bills at Carolina International CIC3*. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Chris got his first taste of the FEI levels from his 14.2-hand pony Tucan Tango (aka “Comanche”) as they tackled the CCI1* level in 2013, but it was the OTTB Unmarked Bills that truly ignited Chris’ competitive career.
Bills himself has a remarkable story (which EN recounted last summer), having gone from the track to the three-star level within two years under Chris’ guidance. The pair tackled their first Advanced together at Pine Top last February and finished the season with five three-star completions under their belt.
Not to be outshone by his stablemate, Chris’ other top mount Sandro’s Star (Sagnol – Nostalgia’s Star xx – Envoy xx), an Oldenburg stallion owned by Hannah, stepped up to the Intermediate and two-star level this year and with top 10 placings in the majority of his events, was named USEA 2017 Stallion of The Year. With Hannah in the irons, he also claimed numerous accolades at Dressage at Devon including Champion Stallion and Highscore Born in the USA. Chris will be riding “Sandro” at the E25 winter training session this week in order to help further his partnership with the horse.
“I have always wanted to work with Leslie and see the High Performance side of everything and get my name out there,” said Chris. “I really think Sandro is such a promising horse for the future, so it’s in everybody’s best interest to work under Leslie since he’s a relatively new ride for me.”
Sandro is an American-bred and licensed stallion who was then produced to the one-star level in Europe. He holds the distinction of being the first North American bred horse to compete in Germany’s young horse championship, Bundeschampionate.
“I’m used to Billy and the caliber of horse is a bit different with Sandro,” said Chris. “Sandro is such an exceptional horse that I’m looking to get additional tools to help us enhance our performance in all three phases.”
Chris Talley and Sandro’s Star at the Fair Hill International CCI2* jog up. Photo by Jenni Autry.
After the E25 winter training session, Chris will start looking ahead to the 2018 competition season. He plans to move Sandro up to Advanced at Pine Top next month and then will spend the rest of the year working towards Fair Hill International in the fall. With both horses being relatively young, Chris is looking to have them gain further experience at the Advanced and three-star level before making an potential attempts at contesting a four-star.
“I’ve always wanted to ride at a four-star, it’s been my longest goal. Anything after that is icing on the cake,” said Chris.
“I’d like to spend this year really solidifying Bills at the three-star level,” he explained. “Cross country is Bills’ easiest phase, but as a thoroughbred he can get a little tense in dressage and show jumping. I want to make sure he’s very confident in those rings.”
Chris is also excited to begin competing another of Hannah’s horses, eight-year-old Hanoverian stallion Faramund (Fidertanz – Donnerschlag) who was originally purchased as a dressage horse, but has shown a real aptitude for eventing (“He’s a super jumper for being bred as a dressage horse and he’s really brave”) and Chris and Hannah hope to bring him up to at least the Intermediate level so that he can be licensed and approved to the American Hanoverian Society stud book.
With the breeding business booming at Zaragoza Acres, Chris will have his hands full over the next couple years bringing up babies in addition to competing at the upper-levels.
“I don’t see myself doing anything else, so hopefully it works out!”
Sigh. I don’t think he’ll ever grow up. Photo by Crystal D, our amazing barn manager who puts up with Beau’s shenanigans.
OK so we’re a week into 2018 and already my “resolutions” are falling slightly apart. Part of that I feel like can be blamed on the horrendous winter weather. No sooner did I put myself and my horse back to work did the ground, the arena footing, all the water troughs and buckets, and my fingers and toes turn into solid blocks of ice. Ugh.
National Holiday: National Poetry at Work Day (your co-workers will love that!)
Coach Daniel Stewart says the most important goal for creating lifelong success is a legacy goal. A legacy goal is the pinnacle of meaningful things you want to accomplish in life–the thing your friends in the sport look back on say, that’s what she did well and that’s where she made an impact. [What is your legacy goal?]
Former Fair Hill International Executive Director Charles Colgan passed away on January 2. He was also the former Executive Director of the National Steeplechase Foundation, the former Racing Director with National Steeplechase Association, and a current board member with Fair Hill International. [In Memoriam]
What advice would you give to a young woman wanting to begin a career in the show horse industry? What advice would you give your younger self? Some of the hunter/jumper world’s most successful women answer these two questions. [Women Mentoring Women]
Atrophy is the wasting away of muscle tissue. For horses, muscle atrophy can be caused by underuse or ill-fitting tack. Know how to identify the beginnings of muscle atrophy so you can avoid and reverse the consequences. [Spotting muscle atrophy]
From May to September last year, the Event Rider Masters brought us the excitement and adrenaline of eventing from across the pond right to our computer screens. Now in its second year running, the series of seven CIC3* events across Europe puts an exciting twist on traditional eventing competition as riders gather points throughout each leg of the series. Gemma Tattersall was crowned the 2017 Event Rider Masters Champion before the culmination of the series held at Blenheim Palace.
Before we look ahead to the 2018 series, let’s take a look back at some of the thrills and spills over the course of 2017; because of course only eventers are crazy enough to make a highlight reel using ‘fail’ moments!
What can you do when you’ve done everything right but it still goes wrong? In his new book “Fit & Focused in 52,” Coach Daniel Stewart gives us a few tools to use when your totally tubular ride suddenly feels like it is totally going down the tubes.
Photo by Cindy Lawler.
You’re having an amazing ride but your super handy horse uncharacteristically refuses a fence, causing you to end up on his neck, lose a stirrup, and drop your crop! Pick yourself up (and your crop) because it’s time for Plan D.
Your Plan D is known as your “Oh crap!” Plan. This is the plan you put into action every time you get yourself into trouble and hear yourself say something like, “Oh no,” “Oh my gosh,” or “Oh crap!” You’ve only got a split second to figure out how to recover, so you’re going to need to have this plan committed to memory. Repeating a mantra like, “Shake it off,” while shaking your shoulders might be all you have time for and might be all you need to keep your train of thought on the correct track.
Try One of These on for Size…
You only have a short period of time to complete your oh crap plan so you might want to consider some of the following:
– Use a thought-stopper and thought-replacement. With thought-stopping, you teach yourself to disrupt the flow of those bad thoughts by yelling a thought-stopper word at yourself, like “Whoa!” or “Halt!” Once you’ve stopped the bad thought, you replace it with a good one. Here’s an example. The next time you recognize yourself saying,
“She’s better than me,” stop the flow of that negative thought by yelling the word “Halt!” at yourself (inside or outside voice), take a deep breath, and replace it with, “Do your best, forget the rest.”
– Whisper a calming cadence like, “Breathe, believe, bedazzle;” or “Keep calm, breathe on.”
– Briefly recall a memory when you successfully coped with a similar situation.
Blower Breathing A few deep breaths are an important part of your Oh Crap! Plan. Use something called blower-breathing—that is, take in a deep breath and force it out while making the blowing sound of a horse. By the way, horses do this by fluttering their nostrils but you don’t have to. Just fluttering your lips will be fine.
The Numbers Don’t Lie You’re going to breathe about 20,000 times today. Make sure you don’t skip any, especially when the pressure goes up.
Weekly Homework This week, come up with one or two split-second techniques you can use to keep your head in the game after an unexpected problem. Memorize them and practice them as much as you can.
This excerpt from Fit & Focused in 52 by Coach Daniel Stewart is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books (www.horseandriderbooks.com).
It’s time to kick off the voting for 2017 Eventing Nation Horse of the Year! Now in its fifth year, EN Horse of the Year gives us the opportunity to honor the horses that achieved great things during the prior season, plus gives you all the chance to vote for your favorite equine superstar in North America.
The horse with the highest number of votes when the polls close will receive the coveted Golden Chinchilla and eternal EN Karma. This year we’ve nominated six horses, all of which impressed from coast to coast and across the pond in 2017 to make North America proud.
Before we unveil the nominees for 2017 EN Horse of the Year, let’s take a moment to honor the past recipients of the Golden Chinchilla:
Without further ado, read on to relive the season highlights for our six nominees, listed in alphabetical order. Scroll down to the bottom of the post to cast your vote. The polls close at 10 p.m. EST on Thursday, Jan. 11. We will honor the winner on Friday, Jan. 12.
Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border at Blenheim. Photo by Libby Law Photography.
COOLEY CROSS BORDER
11-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Diamond Roller X Whos Diaz)
Owned by the Cross Syndicate
Bred in Ireland by Johnny Duffy
Just call him the comeback kid. After a strong start to the 2017 season with a win in the Advanced division at Carolina and third place at The Fork CIC3*, Cooley Cross Border went into his CCI4* debut at Kentucky seemingly in top form. But after petering out of gas toward the end of cross country, Kim Severson re-routed him to Tattersalls CCI3* in Ireland. Again, things did not go to plan, and “Cross” earned himself an extended Irish holiday in Kim’s quest to prove this horse has what it takes.
Kim and Cross quietly racked up top results across the pond over the summer. He finished third on his dressage score of 39.2 in the Mallow CIC2* to get his sea legs back, then finished fifth in the Cappoquin CIC3* with his only show jumping rail of the entire season. Cross finished second at Millstreet CIC3* on 47.6, adding only 2.4 cross country time penalties to his dressage score, in his final prep run leading up to Blenheim Palace CCI3*.
Kim had previously won Blenheim 16 years prior with the legendary Winsome Adante, and the U.S. National Anthem rang out once again after Cross dominated the competition. A three-star personal best dressage score of 37.8 put him third after the first phase in a field of more than 80 horses. He put his cross country demons to rest with a clear round inside the time to remain in third place going into the final day.
Poles went flying in the show jumping finale at Blenheim, with only nine of the 68 combinations (13.2% of the field) managing clear rounds inside the time. Julia Krajewski and Pippa Funnell, who sat in first and second places after cross country, both pulled two rails with FRH Chipmunk and MGH Grafton Street to give Cross the win on his dressage score. His finishing score of 37.8 is his best finishing score at three-star level and the second best of his entire international career.
Lynn Symansky and Donner at Great Meadow. Photo by Jenni Autry.
DONNER
15-year-old Thoroughbred (Gorky Park X Smart Jane)
Owned by the Donner Syndicate
Bred in the United States by Dresden Farm
Donner was crowned 2013 EN Horse of the Year in the first year we ran the awards, and now he returns as a nominee for 2017 following a strong season with Lynn Symansky. After fending off the best horses in the world to take the win in the 2017 EquiRatings Horse of the Year voting, we expect he will be a strong favorite to beat.
After starting his season with a pair of Intermediates at Rocking Horse, Donner went on to Carolina International CIC3* and finished sixth in a field of more than 50 starters thanks to the second fastest cross country round. Then it was on to Badminton, where he delivered the best CCI4* dressage score of his career to date to sit inside the top 30 on 47.2. Things did not go to plan on the cross country, where a lost shoe early on course forced Lynn to take a slower pace and rack up time penalties. He threw the same shoe in show jumping the next day, adding a rail and more time penalties, to ultimately finish 22nd.
Then it was home to the States, where Donner landed a spot on the U.S. Nations Cup team at Great Meadow CICO3*. He added just 1.2 cross country time penalties to his dressage score and finished second on 50.1, his second best finishing score at international level in his career and the best since he won The Fork CIC3* in 2013. His performance on home soil helped boost the U.S. team to take the win in the Nations Cup for the second consecutive year. He then finished ninth in the Advanced at Millbrook in his final prep run for Burghley.
Donner is best known as a four-star machine, and he went to Burghley in search of a top finish to conclude the 2017 season. A personal best CCI4* dressage score of 45.5 put him in 11th place after the first phase. He showed why he’s known as Donner the Deer on cross country the next day, skipping around the course to add 3.6 time penalties and move up to 8th. One rail down in show jumping saw Donner finish 6th on 53.1 as the highest placed U.S. horse on the best CCI4* finishing score of his career.
Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
FOXWOOD HIGH
15-year-old Canadian Sport Horse (Rio Bronco W X Evita II)
Owned by John and Judy Rumble
Bred in Canada by Epstein Equestrian
Foxwood High advanced to the semi-final round of voting for 2017 EquiRatings Horse of the Year, so we have another heavy favorite going into the voting for EN Horse of the Year. “Woody” started and ended his season with wins to make him a strong candidate to take the title. He kicked off 2017 with a win at Red Hills Advanced, then finished eighth at The Fork CIC3* as his final prep run for Kentucky.
Woody completed the third CCI4* of his career at Kentucky in 11th as the highest placed Canadian horse. His result at Kentucky was the only time he finished outside of the top 10 at the international level all season, and he went on to improve on his placing at each subsequent start for the remainder of the year. He next represented Canada on the Nations Cup team at Great Meadow CICO3*, where he was one of only three horses to make the optimum time on cross country to finish 5th on 54.9.
Selena O’Hanlon made it clear she went to Plantation Field CIC3* to win, and Woody just narrowly missed his personal best in dressage to sit second after the first phase on 41.8. They slipped to 4th place with one rail down in show jumping, but Woody cracked around as one of only five horses to make the time on cross country, which moved him up to finish in third place on 45.8.
It was a sign of big things to come at Fair Hill International CCI3*. Woody scored in the 30s for the first time in his international career to lead after dressage on 39.4. Picking up 1.6 time penalties on cross country slipped him to second place, but a clear round with 3.0 time penalties in show jumping boosted Woody back up to take the historic first Fair Hill win for Canada on 44.0, the best finishing score of his international career. He was also named the 2017 USEA Advanced Horse of the Year.
James Alliston and Happenstance at Galway Downs. Photo by Shelby Allen.
HAPPENSTANCE
12-year-old Holsteiner (Hunter X S’brina)
Owned by Mary McKee
Bred in the United States by Wendy Webster
After a two-year hiatus from the upper levels, Happenstance returned to the West Coast scene in a big way with James Alliston. He won four of his six runs in 2017, including his first start of the year in the Intermediate at Twin Rivers, where he finished on his dressage score of 27.6. Things didn’t quite go to plan in the Galway Downs CIC3*, where Happenstance recorded the highest dressage score of his international career and added three rails down in show jumping to finish 9th.
Everything clicked into place for James and Happenstance after that, starting at Woodside where they finished third in the Advanced on 43.9, adding one show jumping rail and 6.8 cross country time penalties to their dressage score. They went on to win their next three events in a row, first in the Advanced at Twin Rivers with two rails down in show jumping and 8.0 cross country time penalties.
Woodside CIC3* saw Happenstance add only 2.0 cross country time penalties to his dressage score to win on 47.1, his best finishing score of the 2017 season and the personal best finishing score of his career at three-star level. Then it was on Galway Downs for his second career start at CCI3* level. Happenstance delivered a 43.3 in the first phase, his personal best at three-star level, to lead after dressage. He made the optimum time on cross country to defend his lead and clinched the wire-to-wire win on 48.3 with one rail down in show jumping.
Phillip Dutton and Mr. Medicott. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
MR. MEDICOTT
19-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Cruising X Slieveluachra)
Owned by the Mr. Medicott Syndicate
Bred in Ireland by Dr. D. Geaney
Mr. Medicott only competed twice at the upper levels with Phillip Dutton in the 2017 season, but the EN staff voted unanimously to include him as a nominee for Horse of the Year. A 2008 Olympic team gold medalist for Germany with Frank Ostholt and the highest placed U.S. horse at the 2012 Olympics with Karen O’Connor, “Cave” was already a legend in his own right. But what he achieved in the 2017 season is nothing short of extraordinary.
After aggravating an old tendon injury at Kentucky CCI4* in 2014, Cave began a lengthy rehabilitation process, with Phillip hoping the stalwart campaigner could come back for one more crack at the four-star level. He competed once in 2015 in the CIC2* at Carolina, and 2016 ticked by without any starts on his record. As an 18-year-old in 2017, Cave finally returned to competing with a goal of going back to Kentucky in what Phillip said would be the final CCI4* of his career.
He ran once at The Fork CIC3* in preparation for Kentucky, finishing 11th. Always one to understand an important competition, Cave rose to the occasion at Kentucky. His dressage score of 44.8 was only 0.6 penalties off his career personal best at the level. With his fitness underdone, he added 8.8 time penalties on cross country, his first run at the four-star level in three years. On the final day he delivered a clear round in show jumping, adding only 1.0 show jumping time penalty to finish fourth on 54.6 and become the new USEF National CCI4* Champion.
True to his word, Phillip retired Cave from the upper levels, but all of his owners agreed the horse wasn’t ready to fully stop competing. Phillip’s daughter Olivia then took on the ride, winning the Junior Training at Loch Moy over the summer and ultimately concluding their season with a second place finish at Virginia in their Preliminary division. A true competitor with a genuine love for the game — cheers to Cave!
Erin Sylvester and Paddy the Caddy. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
PADDY THE CADDY
11-year-old Thoroughbred (Azamore X Slamy)
Owned by Frank McEntee
Bred in Ireland by Frank McEntee
Erin Sylvester and Paddy the Caddy racked up top placings all season long in 2017, never finishing outside of the top 10 in any of their runs. His international record is even more impressive, with a streak of all top-five finishes and not a single rail down in the show jumping. “Paddy” started his season at Pine Top Advanced, adding 4.8 time penalties on cross country to finish second on 34.2.
He finished ninth at Carolina Advanced with his slowest cross country run of the season, then third in the Fair Hill CIC3* with 7.6 cross country time penalties added to his dressage score. Paddy pulled the only show jumping rail of his entire season at the Horse Park of New Jersey but finished only one second over the optimum time on cross country to place second in the Advanced on 40.0.
Erin made the long trek to Rebecca Farm in Montana for Paddy’s CCI3* debut and sat second after the first phase on 51.0. He then moved up to take the lead after cross country with a clear round and 3.2 time penalties and clinched the win the next day with a clear show jumping round to finish on 54.2. Paddy’s performance at Rebecca Farm ultimately saw Erin win the $30,000 Rebecca Broussard International Developing Rider Grant.
After a well-deserved break, Paddy stretched his legs in the Plantation Field CIC2*, finishing third on his dressage score of 42.7, the second best dressage score and finishing score of his entire international career. At the Fair Hill International CCI3*, Paddy delivered a three-star personal best of 48.2 in the first phase. He was one of only four horses to make the time on cross country and jumped a beautiful clear show jumping round on the final day to finish fifth on 48.2, one of only two horses to finish on their dressage score in the CCI3*.
For the last few months, livestock owners have been reeling over a government mandate requiring commercial motor vehicles to be equipped with electronic logging devices (ELD) as part of the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century” bill enacted by Congress in 2012.
The purpose of an ELD is to log a driver’s hours on the road. It records drive time and alerts the driver when he or she has been on the road the legally allotted 11 hours in a 14-hour stretch. Once a driver has reached the time limit, they are required to take a mandatory 10-hour rest period. Infractions are recorded by the ELD and a driver in violation can be fined.
There are some exemptions to the rule, but if you are a professional rider, compete for prize money, or even give your buddy and her horse a trailer ride and split the gas, you’ll be affected by this mandate.
Not surprisingly, horse folks are furious. Equestrians of all disciplines frequently drive long distances to compete. A primary concern of this new mandate is animal welfare; mandatory 10-hour breaks means a longer trip and added stress on the animals.
The mandate was supposed to go into effect on December 18 but the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) granted a 90-day waiver for the agricultural industry to comply. According to Equiery, “The waiver was granted in response to a petition last September from the American Farm Bureau, the American Horse Council and several other livestock organizations.
“In their request, the groups explained their two biggest concerns about the requirement: livestock haulers’ readiness to comply and the effect on the transported animals’ well-being.”
The DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website explains the waiver is part of an effort “to further facilitate transition to the rule by motor carriers” and states “the Agency will be providing guidance related to enforcement procedures during the ELD transition.”
FMCSA Deputy Administrator Cathy F. Gautreaux said, “FMCSA has listened to important feedback from many stakeholder groups, including agriculture, and will continue to take steps to ease the transition to the full implementation of the ELD rule.”
The waiver expires on March 18. Now is the time to act. If you have comments or concerns about this mandate, contact your Congressional Representatives and let them know or join the petition on change.org.
