Classic Eventing Nation

Tuesday Video From SpectraVet: ‘Mighty Maren’ Hanson, Age 10, Wins Callaway Gardens Pony Race

By on Nov 7, 2017 5:00 pm -

We introduced you to ‘Mighty Maren’ Hanson, age 10, in our 2028 Olympic Talent Watch series earlier this year, and now we’re excited to share with you her her most recent cross-training adventure: winning pony races!

Maren and Sir Chancelot. Photo courtesy of Christie Hanson.

Maren demonstrated this weekend that her riding and horsemanship skills extend beyond the eventing world. She and her 17-year-old Arabian pony Sir Chancelot took on and won the Maxine Strupe Perpetual Pony Race at the Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens.

Maren’s mom, Christine, shared this: “Lots of eventing kids came to try something new and we would love for more kids and their horses and ponies to get involved in these amazing races. Ashley Perrin, Mason Lampton and Midland Riding Center hosted and also offered a steeplechase camp and race practices earlier in the year and Midland Pony Club and Hilltoppers Pony Club made up many of the entries.”

Go Maren!

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#DropFaceChallenge & Other Highlights from the WD&CTA William Fox-Pitt Eventing Symposium

By on Nov 7, 2017 3:30 pm -

William Fox-Pitt was in Madison for the Wisconsin Dressage & Combined Training Association’s Eventing Symposium over the weekend, November 4-5, 2017. Eventing Nation’s Amy Nelson was there to recap highlights from the symposium, and she seized the opportunity to sit down and chat with him about cross country questions, horse show nerves, and why eventing is still a thrill.

Photo by Amy Nelson.

Throughout the symposium William answered audience questions between groups of eager riders, and this was extremely educational. A few talking-point takeaways …

Winter Is Coming

Since the symposium was in Area IV, where we face a long winter as eventers, the topic of how to deal with the off-season came up. In England, they have winter. Not like in the Midwest, William laughed, but still. He described his training routine over the colder months, including six weeks of “holiday” for his horses. It’s a fact. It takes six weeks for a horse to recover from strenuous work. Why not give them six weeks off? He explained that during the winter they let the horses get wooly and just be horses. Because, after all, a horse is an animal. Let their brains rest.

In answering one audience member’s question of, “How is eventing in the UK different from the U.S.,” William mentioned our extreme weather here. I never really thought about it, although in Illinois we can go from -10 actual temperature in the winter to 115 degrees in the summer. And I know we are not the most extreme state in the country! He also talked about how every show is so far, and you spend so much money in fuel and time to get there.

Training Outside the Box

“Not everyone has access to beautiful jumps like these,” he said as he gestured to the Jump4Joy stadium and indoor cross country fences in the Alliant Energy Center. You jump what you have available. Jump a dust bin or something weird. Jump chairs or whatever in the field. Jump without the fancy flags so when you have flags it’s just a bonus. I loved this.

He described how loads of his training is done outside, on hills, and in fields. As trainer with a small farm, I found this amazingly refreshing. Sometimes it’s easy to focus on what you don’t have, but this four-star rider provided a wonderful reminder that it doesn’t have to be fancy to be effective. Lead changes should be taught outside in field. There’s less pressure on the horse than in a 20m by 40m arena. Use hills, tons of walking and long hacks to train your event horse.

Photo courtesy of WDCTA.

Winning the Warm-up

William explained the key to a successful warm up at an event as well. He admitted that warm-up arenas can be utter chaos, but advised, Forget all the parents and trainers. Just think about yourself and “get on with it.” This became one of his favorite phrases throughout the weekend. He suggested that riders jump a couple jumps, and one at speed, then go in the ring.

He also said if you have a horse that gets too spun up in the warm up ring, before cross country, that you should warm up earlier in the day and simply go straight to the start box from the stables when it’s your time. Time it out. But your horse will be more rideable.

And the key to success is have a plan and stick to it. Don’t change your plan at the last second just because you’re nervous.

One-on-One With EN

William sat down for a one-on-one with Eventing Nation’s Amy Nelson, during which he discussed why he keeps going after all his successes and struggles in the sport, what is his least favorite cross country question, what advice he would give to up-and-coming eventers, and he even participated in the #DropFaceChallenge. Take a look:

Interview with William Fox-Pitt for Eventing Nation.Amy Nelson for Eventing Nation.Madison, WI 11/5/17#dropfacechallenge #eventer #williamfoxpitt #wfpinwi

Posted by Amy Nelson Eventer – Official on Sunday, November 5, 2017

Eventing Nation challenges you! Post a photo or video of you doing a face that you would make over a drop using the #dropfacechallenge. Because we all get nervous, so let’s laugh at each other. Clearly Amy Nelson of EN is much more concerned over a drop (Prelim) than William Fox-Pitt is (four-star).

William Fox-Pitt and EN’s Amy Nelson. #dropfacechallenge

Confidence = Success

William wrapped up the weekend explaining where to find your confidence in the sport. Confidence comes from doing things well, he stated. And doing things well comes when you ride just below your limit. He told the audience that if you go out and ride at the upper limit of what you and your horse CAN do, neither one of you will be fully confident.

We’ve Got This!

I went away from the WDCTA William Fox-Pitt Symposium with a new energy about winter and training. If someone who competes at the four-star level, who has been to the Olympics multiple times, who is recognized around the world for his successful program, has wooly horses in a field that get fit with long hacks and riding up and down hills in the winter months … it gives us all hope that we can keep chipping away at a dream. Because as William said, this is what keeps him going: “I enjoy horses, and what they give us is very exciting and a great thrill.”

3 … 2 … 1 … Have a great winter.

Let’s Discuss: Gender Equality and Eventing

By on Nov 7, 2017 1:30 pm -

We’ll be sharing comments from this “Let’s Discuss” thread with the organizers of the Celebration of Women in Peak Performance Equestrian Sports Luncheon, to be held Friday Nov. 17 during the Ocala Jockey Club International Horse Trials.

On the surface, eventing looks like a pretty level playing field: After all, the equestrian disciplines are the only Olympic sport where men and women compete equally (with the exception of one sailing event). But that doesn’t mean it’s all fair play and feminism for us lady riders.

Dig a little deeper and the cracks start to show, especially for female riders trying to make their way into the top of the sport. Why is it that women comprise a disproportionate percentage of lower-level amateur riders, then get stuck somewhere on their upward climb? It requires a incredible level of commitment for women to get to the top and stay there. As Nina Gardner, an owner for Jennie Brannigan, says, “Challenges don’t seem to be related to lack of interest or lack of talent, but at least partially due to challenges in financial and other support for women riders.”

Regardless of whether we’re contesting four-stars or Novice events, many female riders have encountered challenges somewhere along the line due to our gender. Of course, there’s the eternal dilemma of balancing horses with motherhood. There’s that creepy farrier who won’t stop hitting on you, the salesman at the truck dealership who is trying to rip you off because he assumes you have no clue, or the wealthy owner who offers you the ride on their upper-level dream horse … but there’s a catch. Despite the huge strides we’ve made in recent decades (see Amanda Ronan’s excellent “Breaking the Glass Ceiling: The First Ladies of Eventing“) there are still male-heavy power structures, louder-than-thou male voices and other assorted variations on on the patriarchal theme within our sport.

The topic of this week’s Let’s Discuss is “Gender Equality and Eventing.” Want to weigh in? Engage your community in the comments section below.

We’ll be passing your comments from this thread along to the organizers of the Celebration of Women in Peak Performance Equestrian Sports Luncheon, to be held Friday Nov. 17 during the $100,000 Ocala Jockey Club International 3-Day Event. Admission is included in VIP packages, for riders and officials at the event. Separate admission for luncheon only may be purchased for $45/ticket.

The luncheon will be a celebration of those women who have made the journey to the top successfully, as well as a discussion of the current process and support system for women riders to succeed at the highest levels. Come to get inspired and to discuss ideas to do even better! Learn more here.

Meet Hawley Bennett-Awad’s Sweet ‘n’ Spicy New Ride Sasha Fierce

By on Nov 7, 2017 11:00 am -

This article is brought to you by Athletux Equine. For more Athletux articles, please click here.

Layla’s “Sasha Fierce” side comes out to play in a jump school with Hawley Bennett. Photo by Danielle Surret.

Powerhouse to the jumps but sweet as can be in her stall, Sasha Fierce truly embodies the alter-ego persona Queen Bey had in mind when she released the album the little gray mare is named for.

“She is such a sweet mare on the ground, we wanted to give her a really sweet barn name,” owner Kathie Hackler says of “Layla.” “But when she gets to work she’s completely different. She’s so focused on the job and well, fierce. So when it was time to give her a show name I turned to David and said ‘There’s no choice, she’s got to be Sasha Fierce.’”

David being David Acord of New Heights Training Stables in Pleasanton, California, who helped Kathie find and purchase Layla as an upper level prospect in 2011: “We were looking for something that could go to Kentucky one day, and Layla absolutely fit the bill. She’s such a great horse.”

David had the ride on Layla until this fall, making the sacrifice to send Layla to Hawley Bennett-Awad in order to focus on his young family and burgeoning coaching business.

“It was a tough decision to send her to Hawley, but it was the right thing to do,” he explains. “She’s such an incredible horse that she really needs someone with more time and the ability to instill confidence in her through building a really strong relationship. I know Hawley always liked her, and when we realized it would be best for Layla to go somewhere else to reach her full potential, Hawley was the obvious choice.”

Layla’s “not so fierce” side, with Hawley’s dog Bento. Photo courtesy of Hawley Bennett-Awad.

Kathie agrees. “It was hard sending her away, like sending a child off to college, but I did a lot of research and the fact that Hawley is such a capable rider and is located at Copper Meadows made the decision even easier.”

Layla had a strong career with David, reaching the two-star level this year at Fresno County Horse Park in February. David says, “We had a couple really nice starts, but the last couple outings weren’t as great. For as bold as she is she just lost some confidence she needs to gain back. Hawley’s access to amazing cross country facilities will really help Layla be the best horse she can be.”

He adds, “She can be feisty in dressage, and needs a rider that knows how to ride that type of horse. Hawley gets along with her beautifully and I can’t wait to see what they do together.”

“I love riding her — she really ticks every box for what I like in a horse,” says Hawley of her newest mount.

Everyone has a type, and for Hawley, Layla is a great embodiment of what an upper level horse should be. “She’s got this wonderful attitude in the barn, she’s so quiet in her stall and so easy to be around. But then you take her out cross country and you see a completely different side to her. She knows her job and wants to do it. I love that in a horse.”

And at 12 years old she has plenty of time to go the distance with Hawley in the irons. “She’s young still, and was started a bit late so there’s even less mileage there,” Hawley says. “I can absolutely see her being a team horse, going to the Pan Ams or even the Olympics in a few years. She’s definitely the type of horse you want to build a relationship with, so we’ll take our time and get to know each other for a bit. I’m just super excited about her and so grateful to David and Kathie for choosing me to take her on.”

Hawley and Layla with David O’Connor and Susie Hutchinson during a training session last week. Photo by Danielle Surret.

Kathie and David are just as excited to watch the pair grow. “Hawley’s someone I’ve admired for a long time. She’s obviously an incredibly talented rider but she has so much integrity and is also a wonderful person,” David says. “I knew Layla would respond well to how she rides, and I really think they’re going to be a pair to watch.

Kathie concurs, “I really think Layla wants it, she wants to be a top horse, and Hawley wants that for her as well. I can’t wait to watch them, it’s going to be so great.”

“To have an opportunity like this, on such a great horse, is something pretty rare,” Hawley says of the partnership. “When David called me I actually asked him if he was sure, it’s just not something that happens. It takes so many people to develop these horses to this level, and Layla would not be the horse she is today were it not for the great job David did with her, and the amazing support system Layla has with Kathie as an owner.

“It’s amazing the dedication they both have to the horse and I just feel incredibly lucky to be a part of the team. These friendships and partnerships we make are just so incredibly important and it’s critical to keep all the doors open. David was vital to developing Layla, and vital to sending her to me. If she makes it to Kentucky, he’ll be in the owner’s box.”

Whether she’s snoozing in her comfy stall in the Southern California sunshine, or cruising around the cross country course at Copper Meadows, Sasha Fierce has quite the fan club. And with a name inspired by the likes of Beyoncé, there’s no telling what she’s capable of.

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Those Grey November Days

By on Nov 7, 2017 9:00 am -

I’ve always considered November to be the greyest month of the year. It’s colder out, it’s darker out, it always seems to be cloudy, and the blazing yellow and orange of autumn leaves have faded — it’s just dreary. Thankfully, a visit to the barn to see my horse instantly brightens up my day without fail. (Even if it is dark out at 4:30 p.m., ugh.)

You know what does look great in grey though? (I think you can guess where I’m going with this!) This week we’ve picked out three cloudy-colored prospects who, if you bring one home, are sure to brighten up your barn even on the darkest of late-fall days.

My Italian Rule (Road Ruler – My Italian Rose, by Solar City): 2011 16.0-hand Illinois bred mare

Doesn’t every grey-lover wish for a horse who stays dark and dappled? This six-year-old girl’s color is reminiscent of an impending thundercloud and isn’t showing any signs of lightening up! She’s also a real athlete, running in 47 starts and earning almost $100,000 on the track. After four seasons of racing, she’s not as competitive as she once was so her trainer is ready to find her a second career to shine in again which shouldn’t be too difficult — her pedigree traces back to several good sport horse lines.

View My Italian Rule on Finger Lakes Finest.

Bully Song (Unbridled’s Song – Teton National, by Forestry): 2009 15.3-hand Kentucky bred gelding

Something about the look of this horse just oozes class. Maybe it’s his proud posture? His swoon-worthy dapples? Or his noble face? Whatever it is, he has also been a real winner on the track with $134,000 earned in 39 starts. Despite his success, “Bully” is ready to retire soundly from the track and start his new career. His trainer reports that he has no vices and is a favorite to handle as he’s polite and pleasant.

View Bully Song on CANTER PA.

Get Ready Freddie (More Than Ready – Tazmon, by Maria’s Mon): 2014 16.1-hand New York bred gelding

Even with a well-known trainer such as Todd Pletcher, some horses just don’t wanna run. Freddie is one of those horses, having shown no promise as a racehorse after two starts. However, this young gelding has already been restarted under saddle and despite banal performances on the track, is showing a good aptitude as a riding horse. Unfortunately he is a cribber, but if you can look past that vice you’ll find forward, level-headed, and quick-learning partner.

View Get Ready Freddie on New Vocations.

Tuesday News & Notes from Cavalor

By on Nov 7, 2017 12:01 am -

The official Walterstown Don Fan Club – lead by Lauren Burnell and Bec Braitling. Photo by Shelby Allen.

It was a great weekend in California for the 19th annual Galway Downs International Three-Day Event. Organizer Robert Kellerhouse has a fantastic team behind him which play a massive roll in making this a top notch event. Plus, I aways love to watch and catch up with all the west coasters. Until next year!

National Holiday: Job Action Day

Events Closing This Week: Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. (GA, A-3)

Tuesday News:

Participate in a World Class Grooming clinic with Emma Ford and support the Liz Cochran Memorial Groom’s Award! Each year the award is given to a top groom who deserves recognition. Emma Ford will lead the clinic Nov. 20 at Mardanza Farms outside Ocala, covering all areas of health care and management. Early registration is $90 and ends November 12, so sign up soon! A portion of the proceeds will benefit the award. [World Class Grooming Clinic at Mardanza Farm]

It’s almost time for the $100,000 Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event! Held Nov. 16-19, the event will also celebrate our lady riders with a Celebration of Women in Peak Performance Equestrian Sports Luncheon on Friday. [Ocala Jockey Club Three-Day International Courses Area Set for November]

Oliver Townend has been named British Eventing’s top rider for the fourth consecutive year. He finishes the 2017 season with 1,698 points – 174 ahead of second-placed Izzy Taylor. Jo and James Lambert’s Bulana, who is ridden by Nicola Wilson, is the top horse of the year. [British Eventing Names Top Horse and Rider of 2017]

Tuesday Video: A little fun from your S.O.

Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: When Dressage Riders Jump

By on Nov 6, 2017 6:00 pm -

Cross training can be so beneficial for athletes, horses included. (That’s one reason eventing rocks, am I right?) Matt Baker, of Southhampton, England, and Katie Lawrence seem to think so, but their gridwork didn’t end quite as anticipated.

In the words of Matt Baker himself: “…Oh, wow.”

Posted by Mat Baker on Saturday, November 4, 2017

 

Essential French for Eventing Diehards

By on Nov 6, 2017 1:30 pm -

Buckle up, babies. You’re about to get educated.

Look, if there’s one thing that’s quite plain to see, it’s that we’re on the cusp of a French takeover. With victories at Le Lion d’Angers and Pau, they’re only building in strength, power, and enviably effortless personal style. This is a time of unapologetic red wine-drinking, pastry-scoffing, and emphatically saying ‘bien SÛR’, because it’s the only thing you can say in French with any conviction or correct pronunciation. When French eventers take over the world, that might be the only stock phrase you’ve got.

Pictured: the original king of the cross country afterparty.

If it’s been a while since you scraped through high school French, you might need a bit of help if you want to do better than Facebook’s dodgy translation tool and a bit of good old-fashioned guessing while watching livestreams. And hey, let’s be honest – even if you passed high school French three months ago, all you learned how to say is ‘I like to play football with my brother on Thursday’ anyway.


But never fear, lads and lasses: Eventing Nation will always have your back, and this time, we’ve roped in some friends (or our soon-to-be overlords) to help us help you. Whether you’re watching from home, attending a French event yourself, or just in case you meet a Gallic stranger in the warm-up at your next event, our guide to the ins-and-outs of essential French will have you speaking like Cyrano de Bergerac. Or something.

Without further adieu: welcome to the French Revolution, revisited.

FRENCH: Vous avez une fond vraiment beau.

ENGLISH: You have a beautiful seat.

That classic compliment, to be shared with those whose elegance whilst mounted is something to be applauded. We’re all for goal-setting here at EN, so why not make it your 2018 mission to have this phrase directed at you while out competing?*

*It doesn’t count if you slip Mathieu Lemoine a fiver to say it to you. Ask me how I know.

FRENCH: Je pense qu’elle a besoin d’une sangle plus grande. 

ENGLISH: I think she needs a bigger girth.

One for the eagle-eyed saddlery aficionados out there, this can be used to communicate the need for a larger size of girth. Some mares just need that extra two inches, and if you can let a French rider know, he’ll be very grateful. Maybe.

FRENCH: Permettez-moi de vous aider avec votre position. 

ENGLISH: Allow me to help you with your position. 

In riding, as in life, every day is indeed a school day, and just because a rider might have won a couple of fancy medals, it doesn’t make him immune to improvement. Use this handy phrase to segue into a good pelvic realignment and watch those flying changes transform before your eyes.

FRENCH: J’avais l’habitude de monter sa mere. 

ENGLISH: I used to ride her mother.

Nothing is a better talking point than shared equine ancestry. If you spot a French eventer mounted on a familiar-looking filly, pass along any tips you learned from riding her relative. You’ll be laying the foundations of a great new friendship!

FRENCH: Tout le monde sait que l’élevage français est le meilleur du monde.

ENGLISH: Everyone knows that French breeding is the best in the world. 

Because there’s nothing like exploring the ins-and-outs of a good French pedigree.

So there you have it, folks — a handy primer for the new world order, or, at the very least, any French livestreams you may find yourself watching one day. Personally, I’m holding out for the former option…

Product Review: Tipperary 8700 Sportage Hybrid Helmet

By on Nov 6, 2017 11:00 am -

The brand new Tipperary 8700 Sportage Hybrid! Photo by Leslie Wylie.

The original Tipperary 8500 Sportage is ALMOST my dream helmet. After trying out multiple brands and reading approximately one million reviews, I bought one to ride the Mongol Derby in this summer, and it ticked all the boxes: ventilated, lightweight, comfortable, good-fitting and, most importantly, super safe. A couple riders got taken out by concussions during the race, and we were all hitting the dirt left and right. I knew I needed a helmet that I could literally trust my life with — and Tipperary was it.

Case in point: a couple weeks ago one of my favorite people Laura Szeremi, whom you may know as Bad Eventer, trampled by a young horse and posted this pic:

Yep! That's a hoof print! #MindYourMelon #AHelmetSavedMyLife #Riders4helmets #NotJustBadEventer #BadEventer

A post shared by Bad Eventer (@bad_eventer) on

Yep, that’s a Tipperary 8500 Sportage. It’s highly rated when it comes to safety (sorry you had to be a crash test dummy, Laura, but so glad you’re OK!), as the high-density ABS material provides superior impact resistance without adding weight — in fact it’s one of the lightest helmets on the market. #MindYourMelon indeed, every time, every ride.

My only beef with the 8500 Sportage is a small complaint, literally: its itty bitty teeny tiny baby brim. Can I get a little shade here, please? Not only is riding with the sun in your eyes not ideal, I’ve got this 21-year-old porcelain complexion to protect.

Just kidding. My mid-30s complexion isn’t exactly porcelain, thanks to years and years of playing outside everyday with horses, often without a ballcap, sunglasses or even (gasp!) sunscreen. But it’s never too late to start taking care of yourself, and so I’ve been been in active crinkle-face prevention mode for the past few years.

I’ve been making do, equipping my 8500 Sportage with a Da Brim visor.

Tipperary 8500 Sportage with a Da Brim. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

But it’s not the sort of look you can pull off at a horse show, and I hated leaving my Sportage at home when I hit the road for clinics and events. So I was thrilled, THRILLED!, when I spotted a new and improved version of my Almost Perfect Helmet on the Tipperary website: the 8700 Sportage Hybrid.

A side-by-side comparison of the 8700 (left) and 8500 (right):

The new Tipperary Sportage 8700 Hybrid (L);Tipperary Sportage 8500 (R). Images courtesy of Tipperary Equestrian.

At first glance the 8700 looks a lot like the 8500, and all the best features are still intact: a padding system designed to create a custom fit, the cutaway profile, the outstanding ventilation, and it comes with its very own helmet bag. But there are some design upgrades, most notably a legit brim, that give it a sleeker, more elegant edge over its predecessor. Other standout new features include a convenient magnetic hook clip fastener on the chinstrap …

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

… and removable comfort liner.

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

And it comes in some fun color combination options perfect for pairing with your cross country gear.

I’m wearing the Black/Teal, but it also comes in Black/Black, Black/Carbon Grey, Black/Purple and Black/Royal Blue. Photos courtesy of Leslie Wylie.

I’m sure a lot of you out there already own a 8500 Sportage — it’s a hugely popular helmet, for good reason — but when it comes replacement time (at least every five years, or sooner if the helmet takes a blow) the 8700 Sportage Hybrid is an impressive upgrade.

The Tipperary 8700 Sportage Hybrid retails for $99.99 from Tipperary Equestrian. Check it out here!

Putting Our Money Where Our Mouth Is: Donate to Improve Eventing Safety

By on Nov 6, 2017 9:00 am -

Photo courtesy of ERA International.

The eventing community has been engaging in a tremendous amount of discourse on the topic of eventing safety of late, and that’s fantastic. We should be talking and listening to one another. But talk, of course, isn’t enough — we must back up our words with action.

And we are. To the credit of national and international governing bodies of our sport as well as dedicated individuals, a massive effort is already in place to improve eventing safety. In this Facebook post shared by Doug Payne, Denis Glaccum outlines some of the studies, programs and procedures that have been implemented both here in the U.S. and beyond.

“During the last five years there has been and continuous to be steps forward in all of these area of concern,” Denis writes.

“I think there is a considerable number of people who might be unaware of the scope and effort put forth by countless people allowing this sport to continue to develop and improve,” Doug writes. “Eventing is the safest it’s been, but continually striving to become safer still.”

Everyone agrees that safety is paramount, and that we must continue that forward momentum because where we’re at right now is not good enough. But are we willing to put our money where our mouth is? Denis considers the collective difference the eventing community “could make by writing out a $10 donation to the USEA earmarked to the various human, equine and course studies all of which are underfunded.”

“Remember,” he says, “you are either part of the problem or part of the solution.”

Can you help? Doug set up a Facebook fundraiser and in less than 24 hours has already raised nearly $1,000 for the USEA. Donate here.

You can also make donations designated for safety projects directly through the USEA here.

Go Eventing.