Classic Eventing Nation

Tuesday Video from SpectraVet: The Most Colorful Quadrille

Watching a successful quadrille is impressive enough, but adding costumes into the mix will knock your socks off. Rocking to the tune of Mary Poppins, the colorful Cornwall TREC foursome won the BRC SEIB Insurance Brokers Quadrille Final over the weekend at The Bury Farm’s All Star Gala. The team of riders Emma Burden, Cathy Craddock, Clare Chapman and Emily Dunstan earned a score of 90.3%.

This group created a stunning displace of imaginative costumes individualized for each horse and rider. You thought your cross country colors were over the top, wait until you see this!

In addition to the winners, there were three other creative costumes including a 50 Shades of Grey routine. To check out all four groups, you can also watch scenes from their qualifying event held earlier last week:

Go eventing. Go Quadrille.

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Let’s Discuss: Retro Eventing Stuff We Miss

I mean, there’s no telling how much this puppy would go for on eBay.

This one goes out to the crotchety old people of eventing — you know who you are. You think back fondly on the good old days, when your dressage test could be complete garbage but if you got over most of the jumps on first attempt you could still win an event. You like the way a hard-copy Omnibus feels in your hand, and given a couple glasses of wine you won’t shut up about how the short format ruined our sport. You despise newfangled anything and are given to waxing nostalgic about extinct events and long-gone horses (all Thoroughbreds, obviously). You can still close your eyes and hear the sound of petal bell boots: clackety-clackety-clackety-clackety-clack … it’s music to your ears. Kids these days, they couldn’t tell a petal bell boot from a Porter protector. They just don’t understand.

Or some variation on that theme. Listen, I get it. I am literally sitting here writing this in a USCTA sweatshirt. I’m not as early vintage as some of you reading this, but after almost 25 years of eventing I can at least play ball in the nostalgia department. Old and crotchety isn’t an age — it’s a state of mind.

Deep down I think we all know that change is healthy and dwelling on the past isn’t the most constructive use of our mental energy, but reminiscing can be a fun exercise in remembering why we fell in love with this sport in the first place. And that’s why we’re opening this week’s “Let’s Discuss” column up to the topic of …

What retro eventing stuff do you miss? Dive deep into those memory banks and let it rip, EN!

Hazel Shannon and Clifford Return to Defend Adelaide CCI4* Title in 2017

Hazel Shannon and Clifford at Adelaide 2016. Photo by Julie Wilson/FEI.

Entries for the Australian International Three-Day Event at Adelaide have been released, with 21 combinations slated to come forward for the Mitsubishi Motors CCI4* on Nov. 16-19, 2017, the final four-star of the year.

Hazel Shannon and Clifford, who won the CCI4* in 2016, return to defend their title and will definitely be strong contenders for a repeat win. Since winning Adelaide, Hazel and Clifford have finished no lower than second in four completed international runs. Their dressage average is hovering right on the 50-penalty barrier in 2017, and they most recently scored a personal best of 45.1 when they won the Lynton CIC3* at Goulburn.

As for who can challenge Hazel and Clifford, Clarke Johnstone and Balmoral Sensation will definitely be ones to watch. Clarke and Balmoral Sensation finished in sixth place in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games as the highest-placed New Zealand combination to cap a strong year that also saw them finish fifth in their Badminton debut.

While Clarke and Balmoral Sensation haven’t scored in the 30s since early in the 2016 season, they have all the pieces to deliver in all three phases. The horse is an especially strong show jumper, with only one rail on his international record since 2013. They finished third at Adelaide in 2015 and will look to improve on that result.

Sonja Johnson will return with 17-year-old Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison for the fifth time in the CCI4* at Adelaide. They have finished in the top 10 three times and came close to winning in 2011 when an unfortunate rail in show jumping saw them settle for second place. These two most recently won the Wooroloo CIC3* in August.

Past Adelaide CCI4* winners Wendy Schaeffer-Macdonald, Stuart Tinney and Megan Jones are also entered to compete. Click here to view the full CCI4* entry list for Adelaide.

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Friends of Ferdinand Edition

This week we’d like to introduce you to Friends of Ferdinand Inc. (FFI), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Indiana that specializes in retraining and rehoming former race horses.

The organization’s namesake is the 1986 Kentucky Derby and 1987 Breeder’s Cup winner Ferdinand who, after a lackluster career at stud met his end likely at a slaughterhouse in Japan, as reported by The Blood Horse. A champion and a gentle horse with a sweet disposition, Ferdinand didn’t deserve the fate that he came to. His story spurred the founders of FFI to help other thoroughbreds find new homes and avoid the slaughterhouse pipeline

Friends of Ferdinand’s motto is “the right home, the first time” and they have a 95% success rate in matching the right horse with the right rider initially. The horses taken in by FFI each have a veterinary exam upon arrival, have at least 30 days of retraining, are available for test rides, and have a 30 day trial period.

Here are three nice prospects currently available through Friends of Ferdinand. Is your’s the right home for one of them?

Indy Tower (Ocean IndyIrish Tempest, by Irish Tower): 2011 16.1-hand Indiana bred gelding

The FFI staff says there’s a lot to like about this big-bodied bay. After only 13 starts, he’s a blank canvas with good movement and has been accommodating of whatever he’s asked to do. Indy’s training thus far has been focused on flatwork, but the staff plans to start him over fences soon.

View Indy Tower on Friends of Ferdinand.

Upon A Prayer (SongandaprayerAudacity, by Chief’s Crown): 2007 16.3-hand Kentucky bred gelding

This leggy guy is looking for a rider with a work ethic to match his. For his short racing career of only nine starts, he actually did quite well – winning three and placing in one.  “Bill” is the type of horse that wants a job and would thrive in a steady program. He’s well-suited to event and has loved his cross country schooling sessions!

View Upon A Prayer on Friends of Ferdinand.

Step Rightly ( Spanish Steps – Hope for a Change, by Strong Hope): 2012 16.3-hand Indiana bred mare

According to the staff, this unraced lady is “easily one of the most versatile, athletic and talented horses” that has come through the Friends of Ferdinand facility in a while. “Sweet Pea” has great gaits and has been started over fences, showing lots of potential for an ambitious young rider or adult.

View Step Rightly on Friends of Ferdinand.

$500 Craigslist ‘Diamond in the Rough’ Sparkles for Fylicia Barr in Fair Hill CCI2*

Fylicia Barr and Galloway Sunrise at Plantation Field International. Photo by Cindy Lawler.

When 22-year-old Fylicia Barr first encountered her FEI 3* horse, Galloway Sunrise (“Sunny”), the main thing on her mind was how to not get hurt.

“She looked like a mule and was quite feral,” Fylicia recounts. “She kicked me the first time I met her. We (my mother, Shannon, and me) have always had to find diamonds in the rough because we didn’t have the budget to buy fancy horses. And where I grew up in Olean, New York, about an hour and a half south of Buffalo, is very rural. Mainly Quarter horses and 4H horse shows. I had been riding a kill pen rescue, an Arabian.

“When I was 13, we spotted a Craigslist ad for a $500 Warmblood yearling, so we went to take a look. She wasn’t even halter broke — the breeders were scared of her. It took us three and a half hours to get her on the trailer. We treated her like a Mustang and put her in a round pen for a week. The first time I went in the pen, she chased me out, teeth bared. I have never run so fast!”

Fylicia began her riding career at a 4H barn and showed at the 4H hunter shows. “We would really just help each other out, no formal lessons.” She enlisted the help of a local trainer, Joe Backer, to back Sunny who, at that stage, was a bad rearer. A couple years later, she re-encountered Joe who introduced her to eventing. “Joe was the first trainer to take an interest in me. We didn’t try eventing until about three years after we got Sunny.”

The path with Sunny was circuitous according to Barr: “When she was four, she had a pasture accident and ripped off most of the bulb of her heel. Blood all over the field. It was gruesome. Our vet advised us to put her down. The vets in our area deal mainly with cows, not a lot of sport horses. We weren’t ready to accept that, so we got a second opinion. She was on stall rest for a year and a half and was not a very good patient!”

Fylicia and Sunny finally began eventing, but this, too, was not always smooth sailing. “We didn’t have many places to school cross country, so most of the schooling was at the events. The first time we had to drop into water at Training level, we were eliminated. But once Sunny understood what was being asked of her, she turned into a cross country powerhouse.”

In 2015 Fylicia responded to a working student ad placed by Full Gallop Farm in Aiken. After the winter, she and Sunny ended up in Unionville, PA. She was a working student, then hustled other work riding and caring for horses, anything she could do to afford to keep Sunny moving up.

“At one point I was working for eight different people. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I’d start working at 5 a.m. and wouldn’t get home until after nine.” She and Sunny progressed, moving up to the Preliminary level.

But it was the coaching from one of her part time employers, 3* eventer and FEI Dressage rider, Sally Lofting, that that propelled her firmly into the FEI world. Sally took her on as a working student, then after a few months, offered Fylicia the position of assistant trainer.

“2016 was a really big year for us. Sally has done amazing things for my riding. In the spring, when we were mapping out the year, Sally suggested doing the Fair Hill CCI2*. It seemed impossible — I hadn’t even done a one star. I thought she was crazy.”

Fylicia and Sunny did the Fair Hill Spring CIC1*, then the Virginia Spring CCI1* where they were second against some big names. “We moved up to Intermediate in June at Seneca Valley Pony Club Horse Trials and did five events over the summer, including the AECs. Then Plantation Field International CIC2*. We ended the season completing the Fair Hill CCI 2* which was a huge accomplishment.”

The winter of 2017 provided an opportunity for Fylicia and Sunny to really hone their skills. “Sally went to Florida in January and February with some dressage horses and I stayed home to manage the barn and ride for her.” Phillip Dutton, who lives about 10-minutes away from the Lofting’s farm, had stayed in Pennsylvania to be with his stepdaughter, LeeLee, who was recovering from a traumatic head injury. Fylicia and Sunny started weekly jumping lessons with Phillip.

She moved Sunny up to advanced at Millbrook Horse Trials and completed the Plantation Field International CIC3*. But it is Sunny’s finish as one of only 15 double clear rounds at Fair Hill International CCI2* that she is most proud of.

Fylicia recently began her own eventing training/teaching/sales business based out of Sally and Hugh Lofting’s lovely farm in Unionville, PA, allowing Sally to focus on her first love, dressage. She has a young warmblood, Amelia, in training that she is working on putting together a syndicate for. And she still keeps her eye out for diamonds in the rough. As she knows first-hand, a little polishing goes a long way.

Anne Hambleton is an Adult Amateur Eventer and the author of award-winning young reader novel, Raja, Story of a Racehorse.

Tuesday News & Notes from Cavalor

I’m a proud alum today! As the Eventing Team at The University of Georgia took the win in the Collegiate Challenge at FENCE. I was a member of the founding team and FENCE was our very first team challenge in 2013. It was such a fun experience to start, and I hope this new group of girls enjoys it just as much as I did. Go Dawgs!

National Holiday: National Food Day (YAS)

Events Opening This Week: None!

Events Closing This Week: Ocala Jockey Club 3-Day International Event (FL, A-3)

Tuesday News: 

The Board of the International Eventing Officials Club has spoken out in support of the mandatory use of frangible technology on cross country courses. “The Board of the IEOC fully supports the USEA statement on frangible technology and asks all members who agree to ask support from their National Federations.” [North America Leads Charge for Mandatory Use of Frangible Technology]

2017 has been dubbed the Year of Izzy Taylor. #BusyIzzy has picked up nine international wins this year, seven of which are at three-star level. At 71 international runs, she had more than any other rider in the world. What can’t this girl do? [2017 – The Year of Taylor]

Ever wanted a chance to learn from David O’Connor? Now’s your chance! The Mid-South Eventing and Dressage Association is bringing David to the Bluegrass for a two-day educational forum, December 2-3, 2017. Day one will be a discussion on the sport and the O’Connor training method, and day two will be a clinic at Valley View Farm. Sign up today! [Eventing Superstar David O’Connor to Offer Educational Opportunities in the Bluegrass]

Each of us is responsible for knowing the rules for competition, but that’s a thick rulebook to memorize! Thankfully, the USEA is offering some rule refreshers. In this edition, they talk about what to wear. Brush up before your next show! [Rule Refresher: Dress, Attire Edition]

Badminton Course Designer Eric Winter is slated to make his U.S. debut at Galway Downs. His first American course will be at Galway for next month’s CCI3*. With a new course designer, the venue has also rearranged the track to be more spectator friendly, with a new combination in the show jumping ring beside a Jumbotron. [Galway Downs Welcomes Eric Winter as New CCI3* Cross Country Course Designer]

Tuesday Video: We only have so many more events this year, enjoy the helmet cams while they last!


Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: Ride Around Mondial du Lion

Giant spiders, owls, and a chess board … It might sound like we’re talking about Harry Potter, but it’s actually the ever-whimsical cross country course at Mondial du Lion where the Six- and Seven-Year-Old World Championships took place over the weekend.

Le Lion is known for having an immaculately groomed and imaginative cross cross country course. The track designed by Pierre Michelet is so stunning decorated that walking the course must feel like walking straight into a fantasy novel.

If you weren’t able to catch the live stream this weekend — don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a look back at the seven-year-old CCI2** top four after cross country, respectively: James Avery and Vitali, Mary King and King Robert, Chris Burton and Lawtown Boy, and eventual winner, Astier Nicolas and Alertamalib’or. Be sure to admire the horses, the riding, and the course as you watch these pairs!

Galway Downs Names Eric Winter as New CCI3* Cross Country Course Designer

Eric Winter. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Galway Downs announced today that they’ve brought Eric Winter on board as the new CCI3* cross country course designer beginning next month at their International Three-Day Event, Nov. 2-5. Galway will be Eric’s first course in the United States.

He takes over from Ian Stark, who has designed at the Temecula, California venue for the last decade. “Ian has designed at Galway Downs for ten years, and we are so grateful for the time and experience he given to us in helping us advance our sport and the level of riding,” Event Organizer Robert Kellerhouse commented.

“Ian’s vision for the cross country courses moved the sport of eventing forward in the United States. He provided great changes to what we have done for our International Event, and having Eric take the baton is very exciting as I believe Eric’s enthusiasm for the sport coupled with incredible experience will help continue to raise the very high bar set by Ian for our cross country courses, and the overall spectator experience. We are thrilled to welcome him to make his American debut at Galway.”

The event has also shared a sneak preview of next month’s three-star course. They’ve made a few obvious changes to the course, most notably brining the track into Sycamore Field which houses the main show jumping arena.

Galway Downs CCI3* course. Courtesy of Galway Downs.

“The front of house for the event is the Sycamore Field. That is a huge change. Spectators are centralized in this hub where they can view the start, finish as well as a combination that comes directly through the Sycamore Field. It’s the key component of Eric’s course and our efforts to make Galway Downs more of a destination experience for the general public,” Robert explained. 

Spectators will have a front row seat to Fence 23 AB while also having views of the entire course by means of a Jumbotron live stream. Many iconic Galway questions will remain, and many old favorites, including the bounce bank at 8abc, have been resurrected.

So far there are nine pairs entered to take on the CCI3* in two weeks time. Click here to see entries.

[Galway Downs Welcomes Eric Winter as New CCI3* Cross Country Course Designer]

 

 

Who Jumped It Best? TR&HC Novice Rider Edition

It was a perfect weekend at the Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Horse Trials at the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center in Landrum, SC, with Starter through Preliminary divisions and a lively Intercollegiate Team Challenge (complete with a colorful stall decorating contest).

This venue hosts two horse trials annually: FENCE in the spring and TR&HC in the fall. Regardless of the name used, it’s a friendly event that is much loved by the local community and well attended by riders from Area II, III, VIII and beyond. The riders, parents, staff and volunteers are like family, and coming here always feels like coming home.

Now with my nostalgic moment out of the way, let’s play Who Jumped It Best? Check out these competitors from the Novice Rider-B division and vote in the poll below which horse and rider pair present the best overall picture.

Looking for more competition photos from TR&HC? Check out official photographer Liz Crawley’s website.

Tryon Riding & Hunt Club H.T. [Website] [Results]

Hayden Lytton and Barbossa. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Mikayla Mather and Show Bizz. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Payne Murray and Primrose. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Charlize Nakatsu and Just Donut. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Emily Thomas and Ohio. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Hendley Welch and Poker Run. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

USEF CCI* Eventing Champions Crowned, Long-Format Winners Shine at Hagyard Midsouth

Bethany Hutchens-Kristen and Geluk HVF. Photo by Miranda Akins/Photography In Stride.

Someone flipped a switch on the good weather at the Hagyard Midsouth Classic Three-Day Event, CCI, and Horse Trials last weekend. This time of year, competitors at the Kentucky Horse Park often face an abundance of rain, cold and sometimes sub 40 temperatures. However, the entire weekend was a perfect 70 degrees with a breeze, perfect footing and happy horses.

USEF CCI* Eventing National Championship

While the USEF CCI2* and CCI3* Champions were crowned at Fair Hill International earlier this month, the USEF CCI* Champions were determined at Hagyard Midsouth. Winning the CCI* open division was Bethany Hutchins-Kristen and her Dutch Warmblood stallion, Geluk HVF. They were the leaders after dressage with a 42.2 and held their position for the entire competition. They posted a double-clear cross country round and lowered a single rail in show jumping to win the Richard Collins Trophy.
“He has just got so much heart, he tries so hard, and he loves to compete. I think he got here and it is like show time, so that is a lot of fun. He is still a little bit green at times, but I look forward to him continuing to develop. I think the sky is the limit for him,” Bethany said of the 6-year-old. “I think the thing with this sport is you always have high expectations when you work as hard as we do and you have done your homework. You come with the expectations that you could go home with a top placing, but it is also just a little bit of luck at the end.”

Hannah Leahey and Casanova. Photo by Miranda Akins/Photography In Stride.

Finishing as USEF CCI* Reserve Champion was Hannah Leahey and Cassinova, an 8-year-old Holsteiner owned by Jackie Leahey. They started their weekend with a 47.9 to put them in fourth. They finished on their dressage score with double-clear rounds in both cross country and show jumping. Hannah was elated after her show jumping round and happily gave Casanova lots of hugs and pats.

Robin Walker and Sbt Barolo. Photo by Miranda Akins/Photography In Stride.

Coming in third was Robin Walker and Sbt Barolo, a 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by Robin and Alston Kerr. They had a dressage score of a 48.8 which had them tied for fifth to start. Double-clear show jumping and cross country rounds moved them up.
Arden Wildasin and Watch Out, were tied for 13th on a 51.0 at the start of the competition. They made a big move up with double-clear jumping rounds to finish fourth. In fifth was Jennie Caras and Trendy Fernhill who moved all the way up from 15th after dressage and finishing on a 52.0.

Elizabeth Scheltema and Bill Owen. Photo by Miranda Akins/Photography In Stride.

Winning the USEF CCI1*-JR/YR Eventing National Championship and receiving the Harry T. Peters Trophy was Elizabeth Scheltema and Kathryn Scheltema‘s Bill Owen. Elizabeth and the 12-year-old Canadian Sport Horse started out in second with a dressage score of 45.3 but posted one of only three double-clear show jumping rounds to move into the top spot.

“I came here to get around the course and really just for the experience,” Elizabeth said. “He is pretty new to me; I have only had him a year. We haven’t shown a lot this year, so we really just wanted the experience. He was Waylon Roberts’s Pan American horse [in 2015], so he has been there, done that, so I feel very safe with him. That has been very good for my confidence.”

Colin Gaffney and Timaru. Photo by Miranda Akins/Photography In Stride.

Reserve Champion was Colin Gaffney and his 12-year-old Thoroughbred, Timaru, with a dressage score of a 45.6. Collin had a very large cheering section this weekend that all cheered with joy after he delivered a lovely double-clear round.
Taking third was Ashlyn Hayworth and her 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse Borasco. They scored a 45.3 in dressage and added just 0.8 time penalties from cross country and a rail with one time in show jumping.

Ashlyn Hayworth and Borasco. Photo by Miranda Akins/Photography In Stride.

Finishing fourth was Madeline Backus and PS On Top of the World. They scored a 50.1 on the flat, clear cross country and one rail with one time in show jumping. In fifth was Natasha Erschen and FE Grand Torino with a 50.2 on the flat, 4.8 time on cross country and a rail with two time in show jumping.
Preliminary and Training Classic Three-Day Event

Makayla Rydzik and Fluorescent Adolescent. Photo by Miranda Akins/Photography In Stride.

Cross country day shook up the standings in the long-format three-day event divisions. In the Preliminary Three-Day, only three combinations finished without penalties on endurance day, which opened the door for big moves up the leaderboard. Canadian rider Makayla Rydzik and her 9-year-old Canadian Sport Horse mare, Fluorescent Adolescent, moved up from sixth place after dressage to take the lead.
In the final phase, after all the riders in the division had lowered a rail or more, Makayla delivered a beautiful double-clear round to secure their win. They were the only pair in the division to finish on their dressage score, 35.5.

Makayla Rydzik and Fluorescent Adolescent. Photo by Miranda Akins/Photography In Stride.

In the Training Three-Day, Michael Nolan and Kara Andrew’s 5-year-old Thoroughbred, Bad Moon Rising, started out in fifth place after dressage on 32.1. They moved up one place after endurance day, but fault-free show jumping rounds proved influential. They won the division on 32.1, just a fraction of a point ahead of the field.

Michael Nolan and Bad Moon Rising. Photo by Miranda Akins/Photography In Stride.

Hagyard Midsouth Classic 3DE, CCI, & H.T. [Website] [Results]

[Hutchins-Kristen Earns Wire-to-Wire Victory in USEF CCI1* Eventing National Championship; Scheltema Scores Top Honors in USEF CCI1*-JR/YR Eventing National Championship]

Leslie Threlkeld also contributed to this report.