Classic Eventing Nation

Best of 2017 Video Countdown #8: Just a Little Trot Fence

By on Dec 23, 2017 5:30 pm -

Each day between now and the New Year we’re counting down the most popular videos shared on EN in 2017. The #8 spot goes to “Just a Little Trot Fence,” which garnered 3,721 views when it was posted on February 1, 2017.

In Laura Szeremi’s William Fox-Pitt show jumping clinic report from last week, one of William’s quotes jumped out at me:

“With event horses, at most you jump once a week, so sometimes I like for a session to just jump from the walk, one session I will only jump from trot, maybe for another session I’ll just trot a few skinnies. You shouldn’t always do course work, you shouldn’t always canter fences. Trotting and walking fences is important for horses to learn to sort it out. We don’t like trotting fences because invariably when it goes wrong or we fall off it was from trot.”

Photo courtesy of Laura Szeremi.

Photo courtesy of Laura Szeremi.

Um, yep. But do go on, William:

“But trotting fences forces the horses to figure it out and if they kneel on a small oxer from trot they learn something. If they kneel on a 4-foot oxer at a show they don’t learn from that.”

And then today, I saw this video (of unknown origin — if anyone has the 411 please fill us in!) being passed around on YouTube:

Posted by Sang Wuk Song on Thursday, January 21, 2010

raw

Go next-level crazy jumper people. And, of course, Go Eventing!

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: 5 Eventers Ready for 2018

By on Dec 23, 2017 2:30 pm -

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.

Christmas is right around the corner and the New Year following closely. If you’re like most eventers you’re already itching for the 2018 eventing season begin. Here are five horses for sale and ready to compete next year.

Jameson. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Safe, Quiet, Sound Proven Winner! 16.3hh 11y.o. Oldenburg Gelding for Sale

This fantastically talented horse would make the perfect partner for a Junior/Young Rider or Adult Amateur that wants to enjoy winning in the Jumpers, Hunters, Big Equitation, Eventing or Dressage.

Tons of show ring experience with a Junior rider in the 3’6″ Hunters. Competed through Training Level Eventing, consistently wins the dressage, brave and honest on cross country, and easily floats around the show jumping.

He ready to move up to Preliminary and has the attitude and ability to keep moving up the levels successfully and safely or continue to win at the lower levels with an amateur, junior or young rider.

Trustworthy on the trail in a group or alone with no spook or misbehavior of any kind. No Vices. Loads, Clips, Ties. Recent vetting available. Located in California.

Sultry Cat. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Sultry Cat

Sultry Cat is a 16hh 2012 OTTB. Sultry Cat loves his new job and is ready to do beginner novice eventing, training level dressage or small hunter courses. He loves to go on adventures especially if they include going through water.

He has three lovely gaits with a very well balanced canter. Sultry Cat has been to a hunter pace and an eventing derby. He was very brave and careful at both of these events.

Sultry Cat hacks out in a group or alone on a loose rein as well as has been ridden bareback. Sultry Cat is very athletic and looks forward to finding a person that will enjoy him as well as take him to the “big kid” shows. Located in Kentucky.

Clydesdale Cross. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

SAFE, BOMBPROOF Clydesdale Cross

Proudly offered for sale, beautiful and athletic Clydesdale Cross. Thor is a 13 y/o, 17.1 hands gentle giant. Amateur friendly and will literally do whatever you ask. He is a perfect babysitter as well as a get up and go for a more advanced rider.

Always in the ribbons and throws down a lovely dressage test. He has also been fox hunting and never bats and eye at anything while keeping up with all of the thoroughbreds. Loves the hounds!

Has been used in a lesson program as well for the Indiana University Equestrian Team.Thor would make and excellent dressage, low level eventer and/or fox hunter.

He is always getting attention for his good looks and friendly demeanor. Stands for farrier, clips, baths, ties to trailers. You name it, he will do it. Don’t let this guy get away, he is the whole package! Located in Indiana.

Sweet Georgia Brown. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

WINNING BN Packer! Proven record – with talent for MUCH more!

Sweet Georgia Brown is a 14.2hh Mustang Gelding ~10 yo. He has evented through Novice, consistently placing in the top 3 at every event! He started competing at recognized horse trials in March of 2016 and qualified for the American Eventing Championships where he finished 3rd in the Junior Beginner Novice division with a rider in her first year of eventing as well.

Sweet Georgia Brown is an absolute pleasure to ride – especially to jump! Point, and shoot. This guy will carry you around a course. He knows his job, and absolutely loves it! Perfect for an Adult Amateur looking to stay at the lower levels and be very competitive, or a young rider that would like to move up the levels – he’s got plenty of scope with a high jump record of 4’9,” so far!

Sweet Georgia Brown also excels on the flat with 3 very correct, rhythmic gaits. He is schooling second level movements. He is ready for a Training level eventing move up as soon as his new rider wants to take him there. He has schooled much of the Intermediate cross country course at Poplar Place and is absolutely game.

When not competing and jumping the moon, Sweet Georgia Brown is an excellent lesson horse. He has taught beginner riders the basics and helped adult riders gain confidence jumping. Prior to 2016, he did a little of everything from being an adult riders dressage horse, teaching IEA kids to ride and jump, and being a family pony.

He travels perfectly and stands quietly for the farrier. He also loves a long bareback trail ride in his halter alone, or with friends. Super sound and has great feet. He can go barefoot or shod, depending on your preference. An easy keeper in every way. Up to date on all shots and coggins. Located in Georgia.

Trendy. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Young Imported Gelding Ready for His USA Debut!

This flashy 5 yr old, 16.3hh Irish Sport Horse gelding, sired by Future Trend, has a bright future ahead of him with upper-level talent! Trendy has experience foxhunting, eventing, and show jumping in Ireland.

He has a swinging walk, expressive trot, and an uphill and ground-covering canter. His jump is catty, with a forward but adjustable way of going to his fences.

Trendy has a very willing temperament and a great work ethic, making him ideal for a young rider, adult amateur, or professional. He goes all three phases in a snaffle, and is well-mannered in the barn. Located in New Jersey.

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 HN: A Letter to Santa From the Very ‘Best’ Dressage Horse

By on Dec 23, 2017 12:00 pm -

Photo by Biz Stamm.

Dear Santa,

I’m writing to let you know I’ve been a very good boy this year. You see, I’m a dressage horse, and I’ve been doing some reading so that I can be the very best dressage horse in the entire world. I keep coming across this thing called the training pyramid so I figure it must be important for optimum dressage-ing. Upon careful examination, I have determined that I’m fulfilling all of the requirements listed in the training pyramid, and Santa, because you might not be familiar this with whole dressage thing, let me explain.

The dressage training pyramid all starts with rhythm. I was born with natural rhythm, and I demonstrate my ability to tap out sick beats every single day while mom is grooming me on the cross-ties. I can tell she likes it, because she generally tries to freestyle rap along with me. It generally goes something like “Quiet feet.” “Knock it off!” “I said quit!” She’s not very good at it, but I figure if I continue to provide the rhythm, she can practice on the daily.

After rhythm comes relaxation, and let me tell you, I’m soooooo chill. Mom can be squeezing and bumping me with her legs like crazy and it doesn’t bother me in the least. I’ll  just stand there because I’m relaxed as heck.

The next level is connection. I connect very strongly with other horses, sometimes after as little as a ten-minute ride on the trailer with them. I’m sure to call out to them frequently if they’re out of sight regardless of what I might happen to be doing. I’ve actually found that I’m able to keep in contact with my friend AND perform an entire dressage test at the same time. Now that’s multi-tasking!

Next comes impulsion. To demonstrate my impulsive nature I strive to ALWAYS act before thinking. Whether this means spinning and bolting at anything that may strike me as “unsafe,” or diving headfirst into the orchard grass bales every time I walk past, I’m 100% committed to the concept of impulsion.

After impulsion comes straightness. Being a very efficient horse, I know that a straight line is the quickest route to any destination, and sometimes there are obstacles — you know, miscellaneous objects and sometimes people — impeding those straight approaches. So whether my destination be grain, fresh green grass, or one of my many friends, I will run over anything in path to remain straight.

At the very top of the pyramid is collection. I assume this refers all of the cookies I collect for being such a good boy. At this point, you might be thinking to yourself, “how can this horse possess so many incredible talents?!” But let me assure you, I am also excellent at this.

Because I have been SO good this year, I would like to ask for several wearable chew toys (I think mom calls them blankets), several hundred pounds of organic, fair trade horse treats, and some freestyle rap lessons for my mom, because seriously, she’s terrible.

With love,

The Very Best Dressage Horse

Mackenna Shea Awarded Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant

By on Dec 23, 2017 9:09 am -

Mackenna Shea and Landioso. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The USET Foundation awarded 25-year-old Mackenna Shea with the 2017 Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant. This award is given in memory of Amanda to an emerging athlete with the talent and ability to represent the U.S. on the world stage.  Mackenna will receive up to $5,000 to use towards training expenses over the next year.

“It’s a huge honor and I was totally surprised,” Mackenna said. “I had a really good year, but I had a lot of support and I have a really great horse. It’s very rewarding to be considered for something like this and I hope next year is even better!”

Mackenna spent the summer competing in Europe thanks to the Karen Stives Eventing Endowment Fund Grant. While there, she and her 15-year-old Bavarian Warmblood, Landioso, competed at the Barbury Castle CIC2* and finished 24th at the Burghley CCI4*.

The pair has been competing at the three-star level since 2011 with numerous top finishes. They completed their first four-star last year in Kentucky where they finished 29th. Mackenna plans to return to the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event in the spring.

“I am planning to going out Florida in late February and I hope to use the grant to help me get out there and pay for lessons,” Mackenna said. “That’s going to be a huge benefit for me, not having to worry about how I am going to make it work. I am going to use that as preparation for Kentucky, hopefully.”

[USET Foundation Awards 2017 Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant to Eventing Athlete Mackenna Shea]

Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on Dec 23, 2017 12:01 am -

Today kicks off a nice long holiday weekend for many folks. Time to get some last minute present shopping done, maybe run to the grocery store to stock up on supplies for Christmas dinner, and definitely time to get around to wrapping all those gifts!

If you’re lucky enough to board your horse at a wonderful facility don’t forget to show the staff there some extra appreciation this weekend as they continue their daily tasks caring for our equine companions – holiday weekend or not! And if you care for your horses yourself…well, you know how time-off isn’t really a thing!

National Holiday: Festivus…the holiday for the rest of us!

Saturday Links:

EquiJet Sending O’Hanlon to Badminton

2018 Worth the Trust Adult Amateur Scholarship Winner: Sara Mackenzie

A Day at Del Mar

The Eventing Podcast Christmas Party!

Baking And Braiding ’Til 4 A.M.: How A Scrappy Young Rider Affords An Expensive Sport

Holiday Gifts Your Horse Will Love

Congrats to Lynn K., our day 12 winner of EN’s 12 Days of Christmas giveaways! Ava will receive Spartan™ bell boots from Professional’s Choice. 

Saturday Video:

Children at Tampa General Hospital had a Christmas wish come true earlier this week when Spirit the (Mini) Unicorn came to pay a visit!

https://www.facebook.com/tampabaynews/videos/10156045820075409/

Friday Video from World Equestrian Brands: Christmas at Badminton

By on Dec 22, 2017 6:00 pm -

Itching for a snowy canter? Us, too.

Is there anything more magical than the Badminton Estate? From its seat in the heart of Gloucestershire, the Duke of Beaufort’s sprawling acreage and stately home spin a special kind of magic as we look ahead to the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

But in the off-season, too, this incredible place has a certain je ne sais quois. Take, for example, this week’s video: a seriously captivating compilation of drone shots of Badminton, sequestered under a pristine layer of snow. If you’ve been struggling to get that festive feeling this year, make yourself a boozy hot chocolate, curl up on the sofa, and just imagine waking up to this. Frosty-whiskered horses, a long hack through the snow, and cozy calm all around as the world dozes around you. Badminton will be back before we know it, alive with the thundering of hooves and the throngs of people, but, for now, this is as perfect as it gets.

 

 

Best of 2017 Video Countdown #9: Chincoteague Island Pony Swim Drone View

By on Dec 22, 2017 5:00 pm -

Each day between now and the New Year we’re counting down the most popular videos shared on EN in 2017. The #9 spot goes to “Chincoteague Island Pony Swim Drone View,” which garnered 3,568 views when it was posted on August 30, 2017.

Made famous by the endearing “Misty of Chincoteague” novel by Marguerite Henry, the annual Chincoteague Island Pony Swim is a well-known and much loved tradition.

Every summer, the Saltwater Cowboys swim the wild ponies of Assateague Island across the channel to Chincoteague Island on the Virginia coast. The roundup and subsequent auction helps to control the overall size of the herd and is fundraiser for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company.

Attending the event, which can really be more described as a festival, to watch the swim and potentially bid on a pony during the auction is a childhood dream that many of us have likely carried to adulthood.

2017 marked the 92nd Chincoteague Island Pony Swim. Check out this incredible drone footage that gives us a birds-eye view!

Have you every been to the Chincoteague Pony Swim, EN?

Riders Test Positive for Prohibited Substances at Ocala Jockey Club [Updated]

By on Dec 22, 2017 3:38 pm -

The FEI today announced that three riders who competed at the Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event held November 16-20, 2017 in Reddick, Florida tested positive for prohibited substances under the FEI Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes.

Alyssa Phillips tested positive for Amfetamine and Canrenone. Hannah Sue Burnett tested positive for Amfetamine. Jennie Brannigan tested positive for Amfetamine, Methylphenidate and Ritalinic Acid. The case status table can be viewed here.

Amfetamine is a stimulant used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy and commonly sold under the brand name Adderall in the U.S. Methylphenidate is a stimulant used in the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy and commonly sold under the brand names Concerta, Daytrana and Methylin in the U.S. Ritalinic acid is an inactive, major metabolite of methylphenidate. Canrenone is a diuretic commonly sold under the trade names Contaren, Luvion, Phanurane and Spiroletan in Europe.

All three riders have been suspended from FEI and USEF competition as of Thursday, December 21 until the FEI Tribunal rules on the case and releases a decision. A hearing date for the FEI Tribunal has not yet been set. The riders can also request the lifting of the provisional suspension and ask for testing of the B sample within the next 21 days.

The USEF said in a statement: “The FEI announced today that the results of samples collected from three U.S. athletes at the CIC3* Ocala-Reddick Florida event revealed the presence of Stimulants, which are Prohibited Substances according to the 2017 Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), in force at the time of sample collection.

“Contrary to speculation, cocaine was not detected in any samples taken at the event. Effective immediately, these athletes, Jennie Brannigan, Hannah Sue Burnett, and Alyssa Phillips are provisionally suspended from participating in FEI and USEF sanctioned activities in accordance with WADA’s Mandatory Provisional Suspension requirements.”

Jennie Brannigan released the following statement to EN: “My recent positive test, while devastating news to me, was the result of a medication that had been recently prescribed to me by my doctor. My use of this prescribed medication had absolutely nothing to do with trying to enhance my sport performance, and I hope that once my explanation is provided to the FEI, I will be able to return to the sport I love as soon as possible. I greatly appreciate everyone’s support during this time.”

Alyssa Phillips posted on her Facebook page: “Earlier today, the FEI publicly disclosed that I tested positive for Amfetamine and Canrenone at an event in Florida last month. I wanted it known that my doctor prescribed both banned substances to me for legitimate medical conditions and that I openly declared both substances to the doping control officer as part of the testing process. I was not trying to enhance my performance through the use of either substance and my case is certainly not one involving the intentional use of a banned substance. I will apply to the FEI for a retroactive therapeutic use exemption for these two prescribed medicines. If granted, I will no longer be charged with a positive test.”

Hannah Sue Burnett informed EN she is not releasing a statement at this time.

WADA’s Prohibited List identifies the substances and methods prohibited in and out of competition. As a WADA Code Signatory, the FEI tests human athletes based on WADA’s List of Prohibited List of Substances and Methods and on the code-compliant FEI Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes.

For more information on the FEI’s Clean Sport initiative, visit the FEI website here.

This article has been updated with a statement from Alyssa Phillips.

[USEF Statement on Prohibited Substances Found Present at CIC3* Ocala-Reddick]

[Prohibited Substance Cases Under FEI Human Anti-Doping Rules]

Bid to Win Lessons with Top Eventers to Support Stirrups ‘n Strides

By on Dec 22, 2017 1:00 pm -

This smile is brought to you by Stirrups ‘n Strides! Daniel loves riding Fritz, pictured leader Heather and side walkers George and Les. Photo by fellow volunteer Connie Sawyer.

‘Tis the season to pay it forward and support good causes! If you’re looking for a way to give back this holiday season, look no further than the Stirrups ‘n Strides Online Auction. You can bid to win lessons with top event riders, plus pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy sessions for your horse. All proceeds benefit the wonderful work of the Stirrups ‘n Strides Therapeutic Riding Center in Citra, Florida.

Stirrups ‘n Strides is on a mission to “empower, enrich and inspire by providing therapeutic horseback riding and driving to anyone with physical, mental, and emotional challenges, and to improve the quality of life for these individuals with the opportunity for emotional, educational, and physical growth through horsemanship and competition.”

The annual Jammin’ at Jumbolair Extravaganza fundraiser raises critical financial support for Stirrups ‘n Strides each December, and this year they opted to run a portion of the auction online to give more eventers the opportunity to participate.

There are lessons with six of the top eventing riders and trainers in the country up for grabs, plus pulsed electromagnetic field therapy sessions for your horse. These would make wonderful Christmas gifts, plus if you bid you are supporting a good cause! Here’s what’s up for grabs in the auction:

  • 1 lesson with Leslie Law – $50 starting bid
  • 1 lesson with Peter Gray – $50 starting bid
  • 1 lesson with Sinead Halpin – $50 starting bid
  • 1 lesson with Tik Maynard – $50 starting bid
  • 2 lessons with Kyle Carter – $75 starting bid
  • 2 lessons with Jon Holling – $75 starting bid
  • 45 minute PEMF session with Laura Mungioli – $40 starting bid

The Stirrups ‘n Strides Eventing Auction ends Jan. 5 at 10 p.m. EST. Click here to start bidding, and please spread the word to your family and friends!

Stirrups ‘n Strides is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and a member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH). Click here to learn more about Stirrups ‘n Strides.

[Stirrups ‘n Strides Eventing Auction]

EN’s 12 Days of Christmas: Spartan Bell Boots from Professional’s Choice

By on Dec 22, 2017 11:00 am -

Photo courtesy of Professional’s Choice.

Welcome to the grand finale of EN’s 12 Days of Christmas! Today we’re giving away a pair of bell boots so hot-off-the-presses, they’re not even on the Professional’s Choice website yet!

Professional’s Choice Spartan™ bell boots are designed specifically to shield the bulbs of the heels from impact for ultimate overreach protection. They feature a high quality TPU outer shell for optimum impact protection and a no-turn knob that prevents the boots from spinning during use. The lycra lining is soft and comfortable to prevent rubbing, and they are available with or without a fleece collar around the top to provide additional comfort. Ballistic binding around the edges adds durability.

Photo courtesy of Professional’s Choice.

The winner can choose from black, white or charcoal, with or without the fleece lining. Available in sizes M through XL.
Ready to win? Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Entries will close at midnight EST tonight, with the winner to be announced in News & Notes tomorrow morning. Good luck! Go Eventing.

a Rafflecopter giveaway