Classic Eventing Nation

Land Rover Signs On As Title Sponsor of Kentucky Three-Day Event

By on Oct 12, 2017 11:36 am -

Photo courtesy of Land Rover North America

Following eight years as Official Vehicle and five years as Presenting Sponsor of the Kentucky Three-Day Event, Land Rover announced today that it will become the new title sponsor. The event will be rebranded as the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event.

“Land Rover has a long-established connection with equestrian sport and we have partnered with the Kentucky Three-Day Event for eight years now,”Kim McCullough, Vice President of Marketing, Jaguar Land Rover North America, said. “Expanding our partnership with this title sponsorship will further strengthen our relationship with the equestrian community, an important audience for the Land Rover brand.”

Land Rover replaces Rolex Watch USA as the title sponsor of the event. Rolex served as the title sponsor for 36 years, beginning in 1981 when the competition was still known as the Kentucky Horse Trials. The event announced in May that it would be known as the Kentucky Three-Day Event, with Rolex no longer serving as the title sponsor.

“Land Rover is the perfect brand to step into the Title Sponsor role of the Kentucky Three-Day Event,” Equestrian Events Inc. (EEI) Executive Director Lee Carter said. “The committed support of a sponsor like Land Rover and the loyalty of our fans and the broader eventing community are what make this event the best weekend all year.”

Land Rover now serves as title sponsor of two of the world’s six CCI4* events, as the company also sponsors the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in Stamford, England.

The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event will take place April 26-29, 2018. The Ultimate Stable Experience, which includes a range of top equestrian apparel and equipment with live farrier displays, will return in the sponsor village for all attendees. The seventh annual Land Rover Tailgate Challenge will also return in 2018.

[Land Rover North America Announces Title Sponsorship of Kentucky Three-Day Event]

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: Be My Little Pony

By on Oct 12, 2017 11:00 am -

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.

Ponies are trending! We’ve had several posted for sale in the last few weeks and they’re all kid friendly! (Editor’s note: Adulting-on-a-pony is en vogue, too.) Which one will you pack up and take home?

Woody. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Wonderful Event or Pony Club Pony

Woody is a wonderful boy and a super addition to any barn! He has a “Yes ma’am, I can do it!”, personality and is a straightforward, reliable ride. Woody is a great mover with a balanced stride and is a beautiful and brave jumper. Not spooky – no buck, rear, bolt. Same pony at home or away.

He won his first event on his dressage score out of ten horses (recognized horse trials at starter level – went HC). He has schooled ditches, banks, water, etc. with no problem. Great in or out of the arena. Super on trails with others or alone. Easy keeper and great with other horses. This would be such a fun guy for a kid or small adult – he’s a blast! Located in South Carolina.

Ain’t Miss Behavin’. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Irish SportHorse/Welsh Pony

Ain’t Miss Behavin’ is a beautiful 11yr 13.3H Irish/welsh sport horse. She has taught my daughter how to EVENT at the USEA level, fox hunt and compete in the Hunter-Jumper ring. She has also taken her to many pony club rating, rallies and pony club Festival and has been a SUPERSTAR.

Miss B has her USEF pony card and is registered with USHJA and USEA. She would make someone a great dressage, eventer, foxhunter, hunter or pony club mount for a child or small adult. Located in Michigan.

Recent Shows:
8-3-17 Kentucky Classic Area 8 championships – Won Area 8 Young Rider Novice Division
8-25-17 Richland Park took 2nd Place JR Novice
7-28-17 Cobblestone Farms took 2nd Place Open Novice
9-10-16 Chardon Valley took 2nd Place Open Novice
8-25-16 Richland Park took 1st Place JR Novice

Amarillo. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Extraordinary Pony Eventer For Sale

Proudly offered for sale. This special horse is available to the right home and rider combination. Amarillo is 12 yrs old, 14.1 hh, Welsh-cross, Palomino gelding. This small package with a huge heart has successfully taken his junior rider from Beg Novice to their first CIC 1*, 2016. Their list of achievements is too long to list.

This little power house is all one would want for a junior rider – flashy on the flat, point and shoot on cross country and careful in the show jump ring. “Milo” would be an ideal Novice/Training packer for a talented junior. He is permanently carded at 14.1 3/4 h (e.g., lifelong qualification for USHJA in the pony division). His current rider has sadly outgrown him and is off to college. He has been a special part of our lives. Located in Pennsylvania.

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

All round eventing pony!

14 hh, 8 yo Connemara cross gelding. Terrific pony club horse available for sale or lease. He has evented, trail ridden, dressage, show jumped, you name it he’s done it! Fantastic temperament. For sale or lease. FREE lease if kept at my farm. Located in Maryland.

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.

In Memory of Aimee Witherspoon: Friend and Adventurer

By on Oct 12, 2017 8:30 am -

Photo courtesy of Maggie Rickard.

Area VII and the eventing community at large tragically lost a beloved member last week. Dr. Aimee Witherspoon, 64, fell from her horse last Thursday and sustained an irrecoverable brain injury despite wearing a helmet. She passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 8th with her four children by her side.

Aimee grew up riding and had been a lifelong lover of animals. She graduated from Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1979, and later became certified in both acupuncture and chiropractic therapy. A career change from Veterinarian to Veterinary Acupuncturist allowed Aimee to further pursue riding and to take up eventing.

A diligent student of the sport, Aimee competed in her first Intermediate at the age of 59. After waiting years for the right horse to come along, Aimee and Worth the Wait progressed together from Novice up through Intermediate in a matter of four years. “Marshmallow” was retired from upper-level competition sound at the age of 15 and Aimee had previously shared his story.

Good friend and fellow Adult Amateur, Lou Leslie, describes Aimee as “the ultimate plan maker” who was “fiercely independent, fiercely smart and fiercely adventuresome.” The two enjoyed countless hours planning, riding, and competing together — most recently at the Fall Spokane Sport Horse Farm H.T. the last weekend of September.

Photo courtesy of Maggie Rickard.

“The sudden shock of Aimee leaving comes with the notion that accidents happen when things don’t happen as planned,” writes Lou. “Aimee had an accident riding the plans.”

“It was no accident that Aimee was a great friend. Our first shared timed together was planning an adventure to Californian horse trial. We spent more than 50 hours sharing the ride, overanalyzing all aspects of eventing, family and life. Some of our many conclusions: How incredibility fortunate to have amazing people as our children. How fortunate we are to have the ability to enjoy eventing. How fortunate we are to live this adventure. Our biggest conclusion being, that’s all well and good, but let’s get back to planning the next adventure, creating the opportunities to learn more and to get better.”

“It was no accident that Aimee’s last event of the season was successfully planned. Our fiercely independent, intelligent and adventuresome Aimee achieved the eventing goal with her horse, as to plan. And once again, we shared hours of talking family, friends and eventing.”

Area VII Adult Rider Coordinator, Maggie Rickard, shared: “Aimee was my friend, my hero and my inspiration. Horse shows and camp will never be the same. I will try to honor her spirit and continue to strive to be a better rider and horsewoman as she always did.”

Aimee was a familiar face to many, having organized the Area VII Adult Camp for several years, and she was a treasured friend that will be sorely missed.

Photo courtesy of Maggie Rickard.

Madison Langerak, an Area VII Young Rider who knew Aimee well has kindly allowed us to share her tribute:

Aimee,

Not only were you taken too soon, but there were far too many things I didn’t have the time to tell you. Here are a few things I loved about knowing you:

I loved that, with you in my life, I had a 64-year-old best friend. How many 19-year-olds are so lucky?

I loved how you would stop everything to help someone in need, no matter how much time it took.

I loved how, when you came into town, it never failed that our animals would get a new diet plan, and I would be taken on new adventures.

I loved that you would go to watch clinics with the best of our sport, then come back to me and tell me everything you learned.

I loved your independent, maybe slightly stubborn nature, because all of us need a bit more of that in ourselves.

I loved when you offered me advice, ranging from where to go to school all the way to what I should do with my life. It was all heard and appreciated.

I loved how you always said you wished to live life like your dog Tucker, able to find joy in the smallest of things, but boy, oh boy, Aimee — didn’t you?

But most importantly, I loved the way you called me your ‘grasshopper’ because there is nothing more I could want from life than to grow up and be half the woman you were.

–Madison Langerak

A memorial service for Aimee will be held on October 21st. Further details will be posted on the Area VII Adult Riders Facebook page.

Thursday News & Notes from Nupafeed

By on Oct 12, 2017 12:03 am -

I spy with my little eye….EN ladies proving that Flannel Is Life. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

You ever have one of those weeks where you start counting the crazy things that are happening to you, and when you reach three crazy horrible things, you’re actually thankful because you’re sure now it’s got to be over? I mean, that’s the rule, right? Bad things come in threes? That’s what I thought anyway. Side note, when you have to medicate a horse eyeball every four hours, your already pathetic social life becomes non existent. Don’t poke your eye, guys, don’t do it.

National Holiday: National Vermont Day

Major Events:

Fair Hill: Website, Drawn Order, Schedule, CCI Dressage Times, YEH Dressage Times, CCI Live Scores, YEH Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Hitching Post Farm H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Paradise Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Exmoor Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Fleur de Leap H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Las Cruces H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Alexis Helffrich has made the long journey east to contest his first CCI3* at Fair Hill this weekend with London Town, after successfully gaining a Jacqueline B. Mars National Competition and Training Grant to help him fly his mount. While Alexis has never competed on the east coast yet, he did spend two years working and riding for Andrew Nicholson, and also achieved an instructor’s degree and a bachelors in equine management after three years of study at the National School d’Equitation in Saumur, France. [Fair Hill Via France, England and California]

Get your Fair Hill “Fast Facts”! Fair Hill hosts not only the USEF National Championships at CCI2* and CCI3*, but this is the ninth year running where it has held the YEH East Coast Championships featuring four and five-year-olds too. Find out who is returning from last year, how many horses are in each division, and all the little details in between. [Fair Hill Fast Facts]

Bidding has opened for a 1915 edition of Black Beauty, with proceeds to go to help horses in need. Anna Sewell’s 1877 classic is the one book that we’ve ALL read at least a trillion times, and rightly so. This rare edition was donated for this specific purpose, and features stunning color illustrations by Lucy Kemp-Welch that need to be seen to be believed. [Bid Now!]

Hot on Horse Nation: Halloween Short Story Contest!!

Ben Hobday, the master of social media (at least in England, obvi nobody can take on Lainey Ashker here in the states). What are the eight things that Ben just can’t live without in his barn and his life? Some things are obvious, but some things, like a Honda push mower for therapeutic meditation, are not quite so predictable. [8 Essentials for Ben Hobday]

 

 

All Pairs Pass First Horse Inspection at Dutta Corp Fair Hill International

By on Oct 11, 2017 5:42 pm -

Whitney Mahloch and Military Mind. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Hello from an unseasonably warm Elkton, Maryland, where the first horse inspection kicked off the action this afternoon at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International. All pairs passed to give us 61 combinations in the CCI2* and 36 combinations in the CCI3*.

We normally have damp, chilly weather for the USEF CCI3* and CCI2* National Championships at Fair Hill, not to mention a mammoth amount of rain leading up to the event. This year has seen bizarre Indian summer weather stretch far into October to give us one of the warmest and driest renditions of Fair Hill in recent memory.

In the CCI2*, Waylon Roberts’ mount Born Ready was sent to the holding box and accepted upon re-presentation. In the CCI3*, Buck Davidson’s mount Carlevo and Sara Moore’s mount Polaris were both sent to the holding box, and both were accepted upon re-presentation.

No rest for the weary! Les Smith, on the left, was also on the ground jury for Boekelo at the weekend. We both flew from Amsterdam to the East Coast on Monday morning and now here we are at Fair Hill. Les joins Gretchen Butts, center, and Robert Stevenson, right, on the CCI3* ground jury. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Fair Hill is one of five CCI3* competitions in North America. It serves as a key event for combinations aiming for the Kentucky Three-Day Event in the spring, as Derek di Grazia designs the cross country courses at both venues.

There is something sacred about this event. It is the culmination of a season for many. It is the culmination of a lifetime of dreams for others. Simply to be here is an honor, and I love watching the support crews of all the different teams on the Wednesday of Fair Hill.

Marley Stone Bourke, who is competing Quality Pop in the USEA Young Event Horse 5-Year-Old Championships here at Fair Hill, stood ringside with her 8-month-old son, Senan, while proud papa Tim Bourke trotted up his star four-star partner Luckaun Quality.

Marley Stone Bourke and Senan. Photo by Jenni Autry.

I’ll confess upfront that I’ll be cheering loudly for Sara Moore and Polaris this weekend. After delivering a personal best dressage test at the Plantation Field CIC3* last month, they are seeking another qualifying score here at Fair Hill this weekend.

All of us stood with our hearts in our throats when Polaris was sent to the holding box during the CCI3* horse inspection. As tense minutes ticked by and the remainder of the horses made their way down the jog strip, we waited for Sara to re-present Polaris, or “Larry” as he is known to his friends.

Sara’s mom, Lindsy Gumbiner, walked back to the jog strip, faithfully recording video as Sara jogged with Larry once again. When Brian O’Connor spoke those coveted words — “Accepted!” — Lindsy turned to me and wisely said, “It is never easy.”

Sara Moore and Polaris. Photo by Jenni Autry.

No, it is never easy. This sport takes everything we have and more. And yet that’s what keeps us coming back. It is the ultimate test, for horse and rider but also for those who support us. That is what makes eventing at the highest level of the sport so special. That is what makes Fair Hill special.

I’ll let the rest of the photos do the talking. Scroll down for a gallery of my favorite photos from today’s first horse inspection. Dressage starts at 8 a.m. EST tomorrow for the 4-year-old Young Event Horse division, followed by the 5-year-olds and CCI2* both starting at 11 a.m. EST. Keep it locked on EN for more from Fair Hill. Go Eventing.

Fair Hill: Website, Drawn Order, Schedule, CCI Dressage Times, YEH Dressage Times, CCI Live Scores, YEH Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: The Feeling You Get When You Hug Your Horse

By on Oct 11, 2017 3:00 pm -

We’d do anything for our horses. Buy them new shoes when are own are falling apart. Feed them top of the line grain and supplements but grab fast food for ourselves. We spend countless dollars on their comfort and happiness and we do it all with a smile. Because what they give us in return is priceless.

The feeling you get when you hug your horse

It’s why we do what we do.

Fight back against colic and digestive upset

Neigh-Lox Advanced provides a scientifically advanced blend of ingredients that work synergistically to maintain your horse’s digestive tract in peak condition by supporting both the gastrointestinal tissues and the beneficial bacteria that populate the gut. Maintaining a healthy digestive tract reduces the risk of colonic and gastric ulcers, colic, laminitis related to hind-gut acidosis, and oxidative stress that damages digestive tract tissues themselves. Horses with a well-balanced GI tract have good appetites, absorb more nutrients from their diets, maintain a strong immune system, and stay healthier.

It is why the horse that matters to you matters to us. Not sure which horse supplement best meets your horse’s needs? We are here to help. Contact Kentucky Performance Products, LLC at 859-873-2974 or visit our website at KPPusa.com.

Mondial du Lion Entries Go Live; Four North Americans To Compete

By on Oct 11, 2017 1:00 pm -

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYC59V-FtdU/

Mondial du Lion, or the FEI World Breeding Eventing Championships at Le Lion d’Angers, may have THE single most un-catchy name of any competition in the world, but it’s a seriously hot entry in the autumn calendar.

The invitation-only event hosts a six-year-old championship and a seven-year-old championship, and honestly, if you want to spot the Next Big Thing, this is the place to do it. Past winners include Laura Collett’s Mr Bass — he won the seven-year-old championship in 2015, beating actual verifiable unicorn Upsilon — and Ingrid Klimke’s Weisse Duene, who won last year’s seven-year-old championship.

2014’s top 10 in the seven-year-olds is enough to give any eventing nerd minor heart palpitations: Tom McEwen’s Toledo de Kerser in second, The Terminator and FischerTakinou in fourth, and EquiRatings’ 2016 Horse of the Year Don Geniro in eighth with Alex Hua Tian. Rounding out the top 10 was Oliver Townend’s 2017 Europeans mount Cooley SRS, followed by Kitty King’s phenomenal Ceylor LAN and does anyone else need a bit of a sit down now or is it just me? Basically, guys, this is one you’ll want to follow — and we’ll be bringing you the juiciest of updates as they happen, as always.

We’ve got four North American combinations fighting the good fight this year: Tiana Coudray with G and Liz Halliday-Sharp with Cooley Quicksilver will fly the stars and stripes in the six-year-old championship, while Mike Winter and Center will represent Canada. In the seven-year-old championship, Madison Penfound will ride for Canada aboard QEH Ocean Voyage.

Forty-seven combinations from 20 countries will contest the CCI1* for six-year-olds, while 62 combinations from 15 countries line up for the CCI2*. Notable entries include William Fox-Pitt, who makes his return to Le Lion after his nearly catastrophic accident at the competition in 2015. He rides his mother Marietta’s homebred Yes I Can in the CCI2*.

France’s Tom Carlile has an entry in each class, and will definitely be one to keep an eye on: In the last four years he has competed here eight times and has finished on his dressage score every time. Consistent AND pretty dreamy — these are the sort of odds we can get behind.

[Le Lion CCI1* Entry List] [Le Lion CCI2* Entry List]

A 40-Day Crash Course in Eventing: We Did It!

By on Oct 11, 2017 11:00 am -

For the past 40 days over at EN’s Blogger’s Row we’ve been following the adventures of Julie Maner, mom to Prelim eventer Emily who decided to attempt an event herself riding Emily’s old horse Romeo. The goal: Jump Start H.T. in Lexington, Kentucky. After trials and tribulations, she made it to the event — and now she’s sharing the story of how it went! If you’re just tuning in, catch up on previous posts from Julie’s blog here. 

Photo by JJ Sillman.

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life and the procedure. The process is its own reward.” — Amelia Earhart

Sunday, October 1, 2017
Phase Three: Cross Country

I managed to sleep in a bit longer than the morning before but it wasn’t a peaceful sleep. I awoke with my heart racing. I can honestly say I was scared. My feeling of light heartedness and skipping along the cross country course had vanished. Although I had jumped some cross country obstacles, I had never ridden an entire course. What if I run out of adrenaline? What it he slams on the breaks and I go flying? Why are my lips so dry? What if fatigue sets in and I can’t finish? Richard saw it in my eyes and accompanied me to the barn with lots of hugs and words of encouragement.

My ride time wasn’t until 1:33, which didn’t help. Time gave me the opportunity to worry more. Where is the fast forward button? I need this to be over. I tried a bit of retail therapy to distract my growing concerns. I’m not sure it helped, but I got a new helmet!

Jen arrived at the barn and we saddled up her new baby and Romeo and went for a hack around the perimeter of the cross country course. Romeo was a bit jumpy, spooking for no reason a few times. This isn’t helping. By the time we were back to the barn, he had relaxed and was on the buckle as we walked through the last field. Once my family and friends arrived, I began to feel a bit better. It’s amazing what a strong support system can do for you. Lunch arrived and despite having no appetite, I choked down three chicken fingers and drank three bottles of water. My logical mind knew I needed as much energy as possible.

There was a conversation between Erika, Emily and me with regard to me and a hairnet. I wasn’t interested. The image I will always have of Romeo and Emily is of me waiting and worrying, standing somewhere on a cross country course. My eyes straining until, in the distance, I see this gray speck running through the field. The closer they got, the more purple I could see and then finally the hair; the blonde hair, flying out from underneath her helmet. “No. I will not wear a hairnet. Today, I am channeling my inner 12-year-old Emily.”

I watched Em get Romeo ready: boots, tape, nasal strip. I think I’m going to have a heart attack. I slipped away. I needed a minute to gather myself and try to get my heart to stop racing. I sought refuge in a port-a-toilet! Gross, I know but I needed solitude. I pulled out my phone and read the Amelia Earhart quote again and again. “You can do anything you decide to do.” You can do this Julie. You know what to do. Finish the job.

A few more deep breaths and I was ready. I rejoined the others. Before climbing on Romeo, I stepped inside his stall with Richard and jokingly gave him strict instructions “just in case.” But seriously…

Photo courtesy of Julie Maner.

It was time to go. Richard walked with me to warm up. The closer we got to the course, the more calm I became. “You’ve got this. I love you,” he said before a kiss. I knew I did. I had already won. I didn’t get eliminated in dressage and had remembered my test. I had made it through stadium without a refusal. This was the fun part. This is the part where I let my inner Emily out and become the Indian princess again.

My warm-up was less than stellar. Apparently I wasn’t sitting back near as far as I had in my stadium round. I could here a bit of concern in coach Erika’s voice. She took a stronger tone. I felt Romeo look at the coop and say, “Are you sure?” With the reins in one hand, I raised my crop in the other. Before I had to convince him, we were over it. I heard our friend Val’s laugh. Some might have been worried. My inner voice was not. You’ll get it right out there. 

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see people watching jump number four. I heard the announcer saying, “Refusal at four. Elimination.” It didn’t faze me. Normally, it would have gotten in my head. It did not. I was there to finish what I had started and crush the paper tigers … even if it was shaped like a table labeled jump four. Just watch me! Another quick tutorial from Erika on when to approach the box, when to hit my watch, when to go … and “watch out for jump four. It’s causing trouble. Now go! And HAVE FUN!”

Photo courtesy of Julie Maner.

Em walked me to the start box. “He knows his job, Mom. Sit back and kick. And, just give him a tap with the crop when you leave the box to wake him up. And sometimes I used to growl at him.” Growl? She looked worried: What a role reversal. Inside, I was laughing. Doesn’t feel so good now does it? “I love you,” she said. “I love you too, Emily”

I made sure my watch was ready — I had to complete the course in a certain window of time. Too fast or too slow and I’d get penalties. I stood in the box and the volunteers counted me down. “10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. ” Have a good ride!” “Thank you!” And we were off!

We took a few walk steps initially and then broke into the trot! Don’t laugh! Safety first! 50+ year olds don’t bounce like the younger models do! Before reaching jump one, I was amazed at Romeo. He knew exactly what we were doing. I could see him searching, looking for the jump, telling me we were going to canter because this is the part he likes. He is the Indian Princess’s valiant steed. The first jump was a single log. I felt him look at the Beginner Novice and Novice logs. “NO ROMEO! THIS ONE!” He latched on. KICK! We were over and off to a stack of logs. KICK! After jump two, we had some ground to cover. Gotta remember to sit back first or this could end badly.

Me: TROT!

Romeo: Canter.

Me: TROT, ROMEO!

Romeo: Canter.

Me: Fine! BUT YOU BETTER JUMP IT!

Sit back. KICK!

We were over three and making our descent down the hill to jump four. He’s not going to trot. You’ve got this.

A quick glance to make sure we were in the center and I looked to the heavens, sat back and KICKED! We sailed over without so much as a thought! I could hear my fan club cheering and yelling. Smiles!

Photo by Dale Duckett.

I got quite vocal and let out a “yee-ha” as we sailed over a large log at jump five. At this point, I should have taken a breather and continued straight to regain composure but instead, I banked hard left … a bit late. It took all I had to get him lined up and pointed at the jump. Made it! And Romes? Man, he really seemed like he was having fun.

Now, I had a choice, take the safer route and jump the log, or go through the water. Romeo must have sensed my indecision because he slowed to a trot. Well, if your gonna trot, we are going through the water and we did. We gracefully practiced our extended trot right through the water like it was the simplest thing in the world.

Next we proceeded to trot up the hill towards jump eight. I realize now that I should have been cantering but this is all new me. I wanted to finish, not die trying. Jump eight was now behind us.

I suppose because of our not-so-fast-pace, Romeo, let up a bit on his intensity. I allowed him to canter on, yelling at him that we were getting close. We jumped nine a bit off center, but it was a very forgiving obstacle. Jump 10 was another scary one. What in the world is a fan palisade? Erika had warned me about this one. “Horses don’t like it.”

 

Photo by Dale Duckett.

Me: DO YOU SEE IT ROMEO?

Romeo: Canter.

Me: DO YOU SEE IT? I SEE IT! DO YOU SEE IT?!?!

HEELS ON THE DASH, SIT BACK, EYES UP, KICK!!!! OMG! He saw it!

Photo by Dale Duckett.

There were just three jumps to go! Jump number 11 and 12 were the ones that had me a bit worried. After jumping an easy roll top (jump 11), the course made a quick sharp left hand turn to a steeplechase jump (hedges). Erika suggested I go straight after jump 11 if I felt like I couldn’t make the turn and circle back to 12. We flew over 11. I panicked. What is it about crossing your tracks? What if I get eliminated because I do it wrong? It was too late, I had reached the point of no return. If Erika had seen it, she would have told me to “kiss him on the lips” because he completely saved us. I banked left, late again and before Romeo knew what was happening I was sitting back and KICKING! (Dear Romeo, this negates all those times in our lessons when you didn’t bail me out.)

Photo by JJ Sillman.

Photo by JJ Sillman.

Somewhere between jumps 10 and 12, my watch began to beep. My time looked good. As we hit the ground with me landing like a sack of potatoes on his neck, we turned toward the final jump. RIDE ‘EM COWBOY! Romeo must have thought we were done because he slowed to an easy going trot. NO! NOT YET! ONE MORE ROMEO! ONE MORE! JUMP! JUMP! JUMP! We jumped!

Photo by Dale Duckett.

I circled around and went through the finish flags one more time for good measure but it was over. We did it with no time or jump penalties! Richard and Julie P. were the first to greet me.  My first reaction was to jump into Richard’s arms but wearing an inflatable air vest, it was best I stay put. Jen came running up quickly proclaiming I had finished in 4th place! 4th place? That can’t be right. Apparently, jump four had done a number on quite a few riders. I had already moved up to 5th before going on course. Wow! I soaked it in as we made our way down to family and friends. It was all I had dreamed it would be and much, much more.

Now, I need to take some time to reflect and rejoice. Richard and I are going to take a drive and watch the leaves turn colors and just enjoy each other’s company. I’ll wrap up my 40-Day Crash Course in Eventing after I have had some more time to process it. WOW! WOW! WOW! 

Thank you for all of the love and support from complete strangers, family, friends, The Road less Traveled Eventing team and coach and especially my now trusty steed, Romeo! WE DID IT ROMES! WE DID IT!

Photo by JJ Sillman.

Photo by JJ Sillman.

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: ‘Fall Foliage’ Edition

By on Oct 11, 2017 9:00 am -

Ah, October, the magical time of the year where the burning colors of changing leaves grace the horizon. Many people make a pilgrimage up north throughout this month for some ‘leaf peeping’, but we think it’s also a great time of year to seek out your next OTTB event prospect.

In fact, why not kill two birds with one stone? Here are three nice horses located at the Finger Lakes Race Track in Farmington, New York. You can make a trip Upstate to check them out and catch a glimpse of the fall foliage at the same time!

Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbred.

Sky Guy (Noonmark – Sky Streaker, by Sky Mesa):2013 16.3-hand New York bred gelding

This big, solid guy is reported by his trainer to have a nice strong gallop that would take well to a cross country course. His gigantic sloping shoulder suggests he should have a nice jump as well. In addition to his solid build, he seems to be a solid citizen as well, standing and posing nicely and jogging politely for his photo session. Despite having an abscess drained on his left front the week before and missing a shoe on his left hind that day, he totted up soundly.

View Sky Guy on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Photo via Finger Likes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Copy Writer (Read the Footnotes – Good Listener, by Honor Grades): 2010, 16.1-hand New York bred gelding

Aptly named to be featured on a blog, Copy Writer ended his racing career after 61 starts and earned over $111,000. His trainer described him as having “a great, goofy personality without a mean bone in his body” and as a horse who shone in the longer distance races. His sire, Read the Footnotes, has been praised for producing good sport horse prospects.

View Copy Writer on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Zeppole (Believeinmenow – Souffle, by Distinctive Pro): 2013 16.2-hand New York bred filly

This filly has sentimental value to her connections, having been bred and raised by her trainer’s brother. Her trainer would love to get regular updates from her new owner! With great manners, clean legs, no stable vices, and the potential to excel in any disciple, what more could you want in a fabulous filly?

View Zeppole on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Wednesday News & Notes from SmartPak

By on Oct 11, 2017 12:01 am -

Photo via Fair Hill FB page.

There’s no rest for the wicked three-star riders who are literally traversing the world to compete all their mounts at the fall CCI events. Caroline Martin was a Boekelo last weekend with Pebbly Maximus and she and coach Leslie Law are now back in the States to tackle the Fair Hill CCI3* with Danger Mouse. Good luck to all of those bouncing from country to country!

National Holiday: Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day

Major Events:

Fair Hill: Website, Drawn Order, Schedule, CCI Live Scores, YEH Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Hitching Post Farm H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Paradise Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Exmoor Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Fleur de Leap H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Las Cruces H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Your Wednesday News & Notes:

The Society of Master Saddlers’ is offering a course in the USA. For the first time, those in the US can attend a Master Saddlers’ course which will be held in Hagerstown, MD next April. Many industry professionals are eligible to attend, with participants eligible to travel overseas for the advanced course held in the UK. [Master Saddlers’ Course]

Tired of thinking of ways to supplement your income? Irish eventer Edie Murray-Hayden has found the best way to make a little cash on the side is to buy TB yearlings, break them, and pinhook them at sales. Her most recent venture cost her 56 Euro and sold for a whopping 500 Euro. I’m in! [Eventer Hooks TB Colt]

The Event Rides Association of North America is getting new leadership. As the ERA of NA transitions from the PRO organization, Jay Baughman and Helen Murray are stepping in as President-elect and Executive Director. [New Leadership at ERA of NA]

SmartPak Product of the Day: It’s theoretically fall (although the east coast weather is doing its best to convince us it’s still August), and that means it is time to think about replacing all those blankets we’ve been sitting on all summer. I hve been really impressed with the SmartPak brand of blankets, and even more impressed with their customer service! [SmartPak]