Classic Eventing Nation

#AEC17 Quotes From the Top: Novice/Advanced Dressage & Training/Prelim Cross Country

By on Sep 1, 2017 7:00 am -

So. Much. Going. On! The 2017 American Eventing Championships smashed the record books with a whopping 770+ starters, and it’s impossible to be everywhere at once. Kudos to the USEA/TIEC press team for chasing down the leaders of each American Eventing Championships division, of which there are 21 total, to collect ride reflections and thoughts going forward.

Novice and Advanced divisions kicked off on Friday with dressage; Training and Prelim continued with cross country. Here are quotes from the leaders of the second day of competition here at Tryon International Equestrian Center!

USEA Adequan® Gold Cup Final Advanced

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Sportfot.

Dressage leader: Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous, a 12-year-old Oldenburg mare (Carry Gold x Richardia) owned by Jacqueline Mars, Robin Parsky, and Phoebe and Michael Manders, on a score of 27.8

On their test: “She was a little fresh today, a little more fresh than normal. It’s her first run back so it was exciting to get her back and she was very enthusiastic. The trot work wasn’t as subtle today as it could’ve been, but I was fully pleased with the effort she made with the canter and the changes were nice. It’s good to see them this enthusiastic. She’s in a bit of a transition phase and I think that we saw some of that today, but I think that in the next few months with her we can get that resolved and bring the impulsion in with the quietness that she lacks.”

Looking forward to cross country: “I’ve done a couple of schools with her (since her first four-star at Luhmühlen in June), and I was quite shocked by how bold she was, how brave she is. I’m hoping that she is going to be as rideable as I would like her to be, but there is a fine line because I also want her to continue to come out and say, ‘We got this!’ She’s really enthusiastic this week and I don’t want to take that away from her, and hopefully she continues to just let me drive.”

Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda. Photo by Leslie Mintz/USEA.

In second place: Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda, a 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Balda Beau x Cathys Lady) owned by Nina Gardner, on a score of 29.6

On having just returned from Millstreet International Horse Trials in Ireland on Monday: “It was an interesting preparation for this particular horse for this event. This is Cambalda and he’s super, but I haven’t gotten a chance to really work on the test. I flew in and did a jump school and then came straight here. I didn’t get to go over any of the movements. I always seem to run him in CIC three-stars and I’ve only done that test once on him and it was at the Wellington Eventing Showcase, so I definitely felt like I couldn’t go in and completely nail it necessarily, but he’s such a good boy.”

Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready. Photo by Sportfot.

Tied for third place: Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Lupicor x Jarda) owned by Kristine Norton, on a score of 30.7

On their test: “It went OK today. I made plenty of mistakes and there are always areas that I can improve on, but overall he’s a good moving horse with a nice outline, so when things don’t go perfectly he does still get decent scores.”

Jordan Linstedt and RevitaVet Capato. Photo by Sportfot.

Tied for third place: Jordan Linstedt and RevitaVet Capato, her own and Barbara Linstedt’s 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Contendro I x Annabelle), on a score of 30.7

On their test: “After such a great test at Bromont, and [with] his dressage getting better and better recently, the plan was definitely to go in and be very competitive, which he can be consistently. Although coming from the West Coast is exhausting on the horses and riders, and I think that took a little bit of a toll on him. I didn’t feel like he was quite as bright or it wasn’t maybe my best test yet, but with the break that he had coming back after Bromont I thought that it was still a very fairly scored test, and obviously it’s competitive, so to be up in the top three. I’m thrilled.”

Novice Amateur

Bailey Snyder and Corina. Photo by Sportfot.

Dressage leader (and lowest score of the week thus far!): Bailey Snyder and her own Corina, a 7-year-old Holsteiner mare (Acorino x Phaedre), on a score of 20.5

On their test: “She has been really good settling in all week, and she went in today feeling awesome, despite the rain, and really did her job. She had her head down and her brain turned on. It was awesome.”

On their partnership, which began Snyder’s freshman year of college when Corina was an unbroken 4-year-old: “With my trainer, Angela Bowles, we taught her everything [about eventing] once we had her saddle broken.”

Thoughts on cross country: “The course looks great! The plan is to just keep her confident and relaxed the whole way around, keep her enjoying what she’s doing, and keep her head focused.”

Rounding out the top three: Eleanor Wassenberg with her own 18-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Matapeake, who finished second in the Beginner Novice Master Amateur here last year, and Savannah Welch and her own Langcaster, an 8-year-old Oldenberg gelding (Languster x Galiffi), are tied for second place on a score of 21.8.

Novice Master Amateur

Megan Northrop and Fleur de Lis. Photo by Sportfot.

Dressage leaders: Megan Northrop and her own Fleur de Lis, a 7-year-old Thoroughbred mare, on a score of 24.5

On their test: “I still feel like there is room for improvement, she could’ve been a little more relaxed. She’s always been very obedient, she’s very deliberate with her footsteps and lets me put in an accurate test. Our time together has been a little bit inconsistent. We have one show under our belt and one this spring, but we had a little trouble this summer with training, so I’m thrilled that she’s back on top again.”

Rounding out the top three: Annette Reals and Knight’s Tale, her own 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, sit in second place on a score of 26.3 and the third-place pair, Sarah Wildasin aboard James Wildasin’s 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Totally Awesome Bosco, are half a point behind on a 26.8.

Novice Rider

Lauren Chumley and Nikolas. Photo by Sportfot.

Dressage leader: Lauren Chumley and Melissa Dowling’s 6-year-old Sport Pony, Nikolas (Novalis T x Capina Mia), on a score of 23.8

On their test: “He was a little tight in the beginning but we just hacked around and that was the ticket. He was really soft and loose and obedient. He’s been to a lot of shows and he’s been here before too, so this isn’t too busy of a venue for him.”

On Nikolas, whom she imported from Germany as a 2-year-old and broke herself: “I’ve been riding him his whole life. He’s actually a dressage horse. I brought him here last year and he did really well in the Beginner Novice, so we moved him up this year.”

On their cross country plan: “He’s a really good cross-country horse. Tomorrow I hope to go clean and fast, and I hope to not do anything stupid!”

Rounding out the top three: Second place in this division went to Claire Solomon and George Wintersteen’s Ballyneety, an 11-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding, on a score of 25.0 with Di Stebbins and her own 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Spot On Cosmos by Travellers Gallaxy), close behind in third on a 25.5.

Novice Horse

Booli Selmayr and Kildare’s MHS Tampa. Photo by Sportfot.

Dressage leader: Booli Selmayr and Thomas Duggan’s 5-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare, Kildare’s MHS Tampa (Quintender x Lady Ligustra), on a score of 24.3

On their test: “She was super workmanlike. She’s always had this great workmanlike way about her, and honestly this atmosphere lifted her, so she was even more impressive, and still rideable — she’s a real competitor, and I was so happy with how today went.”

On plans for the mare, whom Duggan imported  from Ireland in January of this year and Selmayr began riding in April: “She’s going to go to the 5-year-old [USEA Young Event Horse] Championships at Fair Hill in the fall, and she’s a real class mare and could just keep going up the levels if that’s what Tom wants her to do.”

On the cross country course: “The fences are actually nice sizes for her, because she can actually jump them versus just trotting over them. She has an amazing jump so I think the way they’re decorated is going to set her up to have a nice jump over the whole course.”

Rounding out the top three: Just 0.2 points behind Selmayr and Kildare’s MHS Tampa with a score of 24.5 are Ashley Giles and her own Chayenne, a 6-year-old Trakehner mare by Elfado out of Charima. Taylor Blumenthal and Martha Woodham’s 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, Saxon Mills (Fitz x Criss Cross), round out the top three 0.3 points behind them on 24.8. Less than four points currently separate the top 15 combinations in this division.

Junior Novice

Dressage leader: Sunny Courtwright and her own Around Midnight, a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare, on a score of 23.5

On their test, which took place during a downpour: “Lately she’s been a little stiff, but I had my trainer’s assistant work with me to keep her moving, but it magically clicked. Then we went in and we had to go past the box a couple times, but it was really nice, and she was really great.”

On cross country: “My game plan is to go fast — I’m pretty slow on the time, so I’ll have to tell myself to be brave. It’s a pretty windy course, so I’ll just have to focus on the minute marks. When I have a chance to get going, I’ll have to go really quick.”

Rounding out the top three: The top three spots in the Junior Novice division after dressage all went to riders who hail from Texas. In second place are Suzanne Stevens and her own Smokin’ Boots, a 7-year-old Thoroughbred mare (More Smoke x Miss Boot Scoot) on a score of 24.8, and two points behind them in third place are Chloe Johnson and DaVinci, her own 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding by Byars out of Super Mount.

Preliminary Rider

Coti Hausman and Quantico. Photo by Sportfot.

Cross country leader: A new combination rise to the top of the leaderboard as Coti Hausman and Quantico, a 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Quite Easy I x Little Black), took over the lead after the second phase of competition and head into show jumping tomorrow on a score of 32.6 after cross country.

On their ride: “It started out nice and fast up top. He’s always ready to go when he leaves the start box, despite the fact that he’s pretty quiet in warm-up. He rode around the course great, I planned on doing more strides with most of the combinations, but as he rode around he got stronger and stronger so we ended up doing the faster lines. We did the five in the combinations behind the barns, so he trucked around really great. I was a little nervous about the hill, but I balanced him and he rocked it, jumping whatever was in front of him.”

Rounding out the top three: The division will conclude with show jumping tomorrow and Hausman will look to keep her grasp on the lead ahead of Denise Goyea and Highlife’s Je T’aime, a 9-year-old Oldenburg mare (Der Dollar x Jeunesse D’Or) owned by Madeline Hartsock, who are currently in second place with a 32.6 and Caitlin Silliman and Q-Brook Stables LLC’s Ally Kgo, a 6-year-old Trakehner mare (Hirtentanz x Anabel Lee), sit in third place on a 33.2 after cross-country.

Preliminary Amateur

Cindy Buchanan and Flying Candles. Photo by Sportfot.

Cross country leader: Cindy Buchanan and her own Flying Candles, a 11-year-old Thoroughbred mare (Icognito x Flying Pidgeon) climbed to the top of the Preliminary Amateur division, maintaining their dressage score of 35.1 to hold the top spot leading into show jumping tomorrow.

On their ride: “Today was awesome. My mare is pretty good in the mud because she’s done a lot of foxhunting. She’s a homebred and we live in Unionville, so she’s been doing a lot of foxhunting and showjumping. I started eventing her about three years ago.”

Rounding out the top three: Kathy Cain piloted her own Legal Limit, a 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Secret Prince x Cheese Blintze), to second in the standings, collecting an additional 1.6 time penalties for a score of 35.4. Victoria Miller and her own Like Magic, a 7-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Ghostly Minister x Dancing Trieste) secured third place after crossing through the finish to sit on a 35.6.

Preliminary Horse

Bella Mowbry and En Vouge. Photo by Sportfot.

Cross country leader: Bella Mowbray and Ruth Bley’s En Vouge, a 12-year-old Hanoverian mare (Earl x Laurena), moved up from second to first place after Thursday’s cross country run. The pair sits on a 25.5, adding two time penalties to their dressage score.

On cross country: “I had a great ride. I’m really lucky to be riding such a sure-footed horse with the weather that we had. I had a lot of fun out there. The course was awesome. It was a really forward-testing course but it rode beautifully. I have a sure-footed horse, so I was just a little more cautious downhill and on some of the turns, but everything rode to plan, definitely.”

Rounding out the top three: Jennie Brannigan moved into second place with Balmoral Oakey, a 10-year-old Warmblood mare (Falchrich x Diamond) owned by Grayson Wall, with a 26.1. Third place is currently being held by Leslie Law aboard Beatrice Rey-Herme’s LCC Vogue, a 6-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, on a score of 26.8 penalties.

Junior/Young Rider Preliminary

Katherine Knowles and Cillnabradden Ceonna. Photo by Leslie Mintz/USEA.

Cross country leader: Katherine Knowles and her own 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare, Cillnabradden Ceonna (Creevagh Grey Rebel x Willow Garden), overtook the lead after a dashing trip around the cross country track. They move forward to show jumping on a score of 28.2.

On the mare, whom she has been riding for two years: “My horse was perfect. She’s always perfect, but this time I was able to be supportive enough to really help her out. I just keep kicking and she really helps me out. I thought the course was really fun and the footing seemed to really hold up, so I think it went well!”

Rounding out the top three: Ali Scannell and her own Faolan, a 13-year-old Irish Draught Sport Horse gelding, are currently placed within striking distance on a 29.2, while Adriana Beruvides and Consensus, a 17-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Contucci x Miss Me Not) owned by Julie Norman, secured third place with a 30.7.

Professional’s Choice Training Amateur

Carolyn Johnson and Black Label. Photo by Leslie Mintz/USEA.

Cross country leader: Carolyn Johnson held her lead aboard her own Black Label, a 6-year-old Thoroughbred (Judith’s Wild Rush x Lovely Keri), after cruising around cross country to remain on their score of 26.6.

On their round: “I think the course is great. There were definitely some trickier moments out there. I think it’s a lot for a young horse to take in, so it’s been quite the experience for him this year. I thought the jumps were very nice and it was the stuff around the fences that caught his eye. I thought that he was super honest and quite good to the fences and did his job.”

Looking forward to show jumping: “My plan is to just stay relaxed and make it a positive experience for him. I came down here to get him some experience, so that has been my goal the whole time. It’s icing on the cake that he’s doing so well.”

Rounding out the top three: Brittany Hebets and MTF Bugatti, a 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (W x Jessica) owned by Leigh Hazel-Groux continue to hold second place on a 27.1, while Sandra Holden and Cano Cristales, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Conteur x Konny) sit in third on a score of 28.0.

Professional’s Choice Training Horse

Megan Sykes and Classic’s Mojah. Photo by Leslie Mintz/USEA.

Cross country leader: Megan Sykes and her own Classic’s Mojah, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Chabertin x Hauptstutbuch Senna), move forward to show jumping on a score of 21.1.

On their round: “Today my game plan was to go fast. I thought that was going to be the hardest factor. He’s kind of a lazy horse, but the cooler weather and the rain really helped us because it kept him a little fresh, so we were able to go out there really going for that time.”

On their show jumping strategy: “Hopefully to jump clear is the game plan! I’m excited to see the course, and he’s not always the most careful, so I’ll plan to get in there and ride well. Hopefully he’s spunky and we’ll have a good round.”

Rounding out the top three: The division leaderboard is tight as Chris Talley and Aura CF, a 6-year-old Oldenburg mare (Belissimo x Aussprache) owned by Nancy Holowesko, held their second-place position on a score of 24.1 after running their cross-country phase, while Courtney Cooper and Caia Z, a 6-year-old Zangersheide mare (Calato Z x Djerba Z) owned by Caia Z Group, are only a few tenths behind as they sit in third on a 24.8.

Professional’s Choice Training Rider

Jordan Good and Danito. Photo by Sportfot.

Cross country leader: Jordan Good and Danito, an 8-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Dancier x Wie Musik) owned by Ruth Bley, maintained their lead after a solid day of cross country competition. The pair added no time penalties or faults to their dressage score of 28.0.

On their round: “Everything pretty much rode according to plan. He was super sure-footed going down hills. He picked his spots and was awesome. Previously we’ve had a little bit of brake issue, but he was really listening today and he was bold to the fences. Everything rode wonderfully.”

Looking forward to show jumping: “My plan is to go fast again. I want to give him a really good confident ride. I think it’s really important for us to stay patient to everything. He’s a really forward moving horse. I need to stay patient and it should all go according to plan hopefully.”

Rounding out the top three: The second and third place positions saw a change as Erin Liedle and her own Fernhill Boodle, an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, moved up from seventh place to secure second place moving into tomorrow’s show jumping competition. Brynn Littlehale and her own Lagerfeld, a 6-year-old German Sport Horse gelding (Last Man Standing x Bonja) also jumped up the leaderboard from eighth place and now are within striking distance of the lead on a 30.9.

Professional’s Choice Junior Training

Madeline Hartsock and Prinz S.W. Photo by Sportfot.

Cross country leader: Twelve-year-old Madeline Hartsock and her own 8-year-old German Riding Pony gelding, Prinz S.W. (PR. H. Principal Boy x St. Pr. St. Hauptstutbuch Bienchen) continued to dominate in the Professional’s Choice Junior Training division, jumping double clear to continue on into the final phase on their dressage.

On their round: “Out of the box he got a little sassy, but he went right out and stayed forward and didn’t even think about stopping,” said Hartsock. “At the water he jumped right in, because he is such a perfect pony. He was really consistent and didn’t feel tired. He gave it his whole heart.”

On their show jumping game plan: “Tomorrow, I really need to keep his canter up and down instead of fast and strung out, and to keep his attention on me and not on how big the arena is.”

Rounding out the top three: Second and third places in this division remained unchanged, with both Isabel Finemore and her own 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Craig Mor Tom, and Isabella Gunningham and her own 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Leroy (Lucio Silla x Hetty), jumping double clean around the track to both continue forward on their dressage scores.

[Dressage Competition Continues While First Set of Divisions Take to Cross-Country Track at 2017 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Land Rover and Nutrena®]

AEC: Website, Schedule, Ride Times & Live Scoring, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram, Live Stream

 

Friday News & Notes from Kentucky Equine Research

By on Sep 1, 2017 12:03 am -

Fam jam after Hannah’s test with Under Suspection! Photo by Jenni Autry.

This week, in the space of three days, I added a furry member to my team, and spent 22 hours driving out of 72 hours of being alive, which is just not a good ratio. I got stuck in traffic (thanks D.C. beltway) several times, had nightmares about people pulling in front of me and braking abruptly, and ate waaaaay too many snacks but no actual food. It’s been a weird week, folks.

Anyway, we have Jenni Autry and Tilly Berendt on the grounds at Burghley and Leslie Wylie reporting at the AECs, so keep it locked on EN for coverage from around the globe. Go Eventing!

National Holiday: Lazy Mom’s Day

Major Events This Week:

Burghley: Website, Entries, Schedule, Dressage Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

AEC: Website, Schedule, Ride Times & Live Scoring, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Seneca Valley Pony Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scoring]

Silverwood Farm H.T. [Website]

Woodland Stallion Station H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Park Equine Kentucky Classique H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Time is running out to apply for the Essex Horse Trials Grant and Seema Sonnad Junior Rider’s Grant! The deadline is midnight today. If you are 25 and under and riding at the CIC3* level, you are eligible to apply for the $10,000 Essex Horse Trials Grant. Riders 18 and under competing at the CCI* level are eligible for the $5,000 Seema Sonnad Junior Rider’s Grant. [More Details Here]

Horses displaced by Hurricane Harvey? If a large group of horses affected by the situation needs temporary shelter and is able to make the trip, the 924-acre Ocala Jockey Club in central Florida has up to 80 stalls available. OJC will donate dry stall and pasture use between now and Oct. 31 for horses currently on the Texas coast, displaced by Hurricane Harvey and related floods.  [Contact Ocala Jockey Club]

“You’re only as old as the horse you’re riding” says Sir Mark Todd, who at 61 is eyeing Tokyo 2020. If he makes it, sorry, who are we kidding, when he makes it, that will be his ninth Olympic games. NINE!! He’s very keen on Leonidas, who is only 13 this year, and will only get better with time, but he’s also got some very good younger horses in the wings waiting to step up to the plate. [Mark Todd Eyes Tokyo 2020]

Jan Hoover and her 10-year-old Thoroughbred/Percheron gelding It’s Now or Never, aka “Aengus,” are competing this weekend at the AECs in the Beginner Novice Master Amateur division. Four years ago, though, Hoover fell from a young horse and shattered her L2 vertebra, and the resulting compression to the nerves and spinal cord have left her with a lack of feeling in both her feet and her right leg. Read more on this inspiring story about how Jan came back to walking just so she could get back on a horse. [Road to AEC]

Oooooh it’s September which means…blanket shopping!!! I have a new pony (errr…hony really) that needs to stock up on her blankets for the winter, so I’m measuring her this weekend and then hopping on SmartPak to see what the best deals are for turnout blankets to keep her dry and warm for the coming months. [SmartPak Products of the Day]

KER Product of the Week – Bio•Bloom™ PS

Are you looking for a soft, shiny coat with dapples galore? Could you also be looking to strengthen hooves? Developed by Kentucky Equine Research (KER), Bio•Bloom PS is a great choice for horses, as it serves as a dual-action supplement designed to promote and maintain healthy skin, coat, and hoof condition from the inside out.

Bio•Bloom PS is chock-full of ingredients designed to help boost hoof and coat health. Most horse owners are aware of the advantages of feeding biotin for hoof health, and Bio•Bloom PS contains the recommended amount of that B vitamin. Biotin also helps with skin and coat condition, as hair and hooves are similar microscopically, both dependent on keratin structures for strength and health. In addition to biotin, Bio•Bloom PS contains key minerals to support keratin-based structures, including iodine, and chelated zinc, as well as the essential amino acid methionine. Check it out for yourself here!

#AEC17 Thursday Wrapup: Happiness Is Waterproof

By on Aug 31, 2017 8:00 pm -

Erin Liedle and Mick Jagger celebrate after a clear cross country round in the Prelim Rider division. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

This morning’s fine Irish mist gave way to a steady deluge in the afternoon here at Tryon International Equestrian Center. But AEC competitors worked too hard to get here to have their spirits dampened by some loser raindrops!

Thursday got a faceful of Novice and Advanced dressage, while Prelim and Training competitors headed out to tackle cross country. I could have stood by the finish line all day, watching riders celebrate successful rounds with fistpumps and assorted displays of human-horse PDA.

One more of Erin and Mick because this is what it’s all about, amiright? Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Hot off the presses, the first helmet cams of #AEC17! This one is courtesy of Nicolette Merle-Smith and Ratatouille in the Prelim Rider division. Hard to tell who is having more fun out there — those happy, pricked ears, squee!

And in this one Doug Payne and Steve Blauner’s Mr Mitchel give us the grand tour of the Training course.

The AEC’s headline division (other than The Only Division That Really Matters AKA Jr. Beginner Novice 14 & Under, which begins tomorrow) completed its dressage today. Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous lead the Adequan Gold Cup Advanced Final on a 27.8 — they won The Fork CIC3* here at TIEC this spring and no one would be surprised to see a repeat here at the AEC. Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda sit second (29.6), with third split between Jordan Linstedt/Revitavet Capato and Phillip Dutton/I’m Sew Ready (30.7).

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Here are our leaders at day’s end:

And a few Instagram photos that pack a 1,000 word punch:

The action continues to snowball tomorrow with show jumping added to the mix, plus the start of Beginner Novice dressage and more cross country action. Keep those smiles coming, EN! Rain or shine, go eventing.

AEC: Website, Schedule, Ride Times & Live Scoring, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

#AEC17 Advanced Course Walk: Déjà Vu & Crystal Balls

By on Aug 31, 2017 5:00 pm -
#9AB. Table to Corner #9AB. Table to Corner

Heading into cross country tomorrow, one would be forgiven for experiencing a touch of déjà vu from The Fork earlier this year. Not only are Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous, who clinched a wire-to-wire win at The Fork CIC3* earlier this year, in the lead here once again, the cross country tracks are quite similar. Will history repeat itself this week?

The Fork CIC3* XC Course (left); AEC Advanced XC Course (right).

Regarding future course design at TIEC (AKA the 2018 World Equestrian Games, looming just one year away), the crystal ball is giving nothing away. The course will be built on neighboring land that was once the Arnold Palmer-designed White Oak golf course, and only about half of the holes have been developed thus far. The Fork/AEC Advanced course is an enticing preview, but much more still is left to the imagination.

“Dirt will be moved,” says TIEC press officer Carly Weilminster, gesturing east toward the tall ridge where a Land Rover test drive course sits this week. “Lots of dirt.”

Indeed, the WEG is at the forefront of everyone’s minds. “Right now everything is looking forward to the WEG,” Tremain Cooper, co-designer of the course with Capt. Mark Phillips, says. The Fork next spring will be a much more developed test event for the WEG, as permanent features of the course are still being developed. As for the AEC, he says, “There weren’t a ton of changes from The Fork. Some complexes may have the same jumps but different questions, different striding, to keep people on their toes a little bit, but everything is trying to work backward from the Worlds.”

Excavation details are vague but word on the street is that the WEG track won’t be “dumbing down” the area’s legit terrain. If that’s the case, we can look forward to a serious fitness test befitting of the world’s most prestigious eventing championship. Which would be pretty cool, because as much fun as it may be to gallop on an emerald green golf course every now and again — “Hasn’t every eventer dreamed about galloping down a fairway without being shot?” Tremaine, speaker of eventing truth, says —  the heart and soul of eventing is a li’l bit more rugged than that. Do you smell what I’m stepping in, EN?

Can’t wait to see that play doh take shape. For now, though, let’s live in the moment. Here’s a glimpse at the 36-effort #AEC17 Advanced cross country track, built by ETB Construction, Eric Bull, Dylan Barry, Jake Wilson, Chris Iezzoni and Jim Troppman, and expertly decorated by Megan Murfey, who kindly snapped photos of the course before the rain started. Thank you and job well done, Megan!

The Advanced course roams furthest afield; other divisions stick closer to the Derby field, which is pretty and shiny bright-green and super spectator friendly but I HOPE Y’ALL PACKED YOUR BIG STUDS.

What am I even talking about? You people got this!

#readyforit #horsesofinstagram #AEC17

A post shared by Coti Hausman (@cotiheventing) on

Godspeed. Yeehaw. Go Eventing!

 

Mackenna Shea Leads the Way for Team USA at Burghley

By on Aug 31, 2017 3:03 pm -

Mackenna Shea and Landioso. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

With four Americans making up the final six combinations to go on the first day of dressage at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Team USA had an action-packed afternoon here in Stamford, England. The blistering pace certainly paid off, with Mackenna Shea and her own Landioso scoring 46.1 for third place at the halfway point of the first phase.

As expected, Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW held onto their lead from the lunch break to sit in first place overnight on 38.9, the only score in the 30s thus far. Sam, who won the event in 2015, has been noticeably nonplussed at Burghley all week, very quiet at yesterday’s trot up and not at all concerned when Chinch hopped on him for a ride after his leading test.

What is the secret to keeping Sam so relaxed? “It’s very important that he travels in a very big box, for example, so that the traveling is much more relaxed for him and he comes to the competition more relaxed. That’s the first important thing,” Michael said.

“It’s important that you look to your horse. It’s not just the big things that are important; it’s important to do the little things where you can make his life more easy at the competition. It’s important that they feel very happy in the stable and in their work and in the warm-up, and also in the vet check. It’s a very good thing that we have the vet check in the dressage stadium, so they feel the arena a little bit with the pressure from the spectators.”

What it feels like to score a personal best at Burghley! #lrbht

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You would have thought Gemma Tattersall scored in the 30s with the way the delighted crowd cheered their own on home soil after her test with Arctic Soul. Their score of 43.0 is a new personal best for the pair at CCI4* level, bettering their score of 44.6 from Badminton in 2016 and positioning them in second place overnight.

“Spike,” a 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Luso X Dream Cocktail, by Roi Danzig) owned by the Soul Syndicate, is not a huge fan of large crowds, but he kept his head beautifully today, leaving Gemma “chuffed to bits” after their test.

“He’s a very, very nervous horse in the atmosphere, and he’s been very relaxed since he got here. We did the arena walk last night, and I spent ages walking him in and out and patting him and trying to get him as confident as possible,” Gemma said.

“Today he’s been out all day just walking around — a little bit of work, walking, a little bit of work, walking — and he went in the arena and instead of being backwards in the way I rode him, I tried to be really positive and actually kick him forward. It worked, and he took a big breathe and relaxed, and he managed to do the work that we know he’s actually capable of.”

Gemma and Spike already have one top-five finish at Burghley on their record from 2014, when they accumulated 11.2 time penalties on cross country. They caught the optimum time in their last two CCI4* starts, both at Badminton, and Burghley is definitely the type of course where you want to be sitting on an off-track Thoroughbred like Spike.

Mackenna Shea in the press conference with Michael Jung and Gemma Tattersall. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Mackenna Shea is one of America’s five Burghley debutantes, which makes her score of 46.1 with Landioso all the more impressive. “I was really happy with most of my trot work, and the canter work was pretty good. He was lot more consistent in the lateral work. I missed a flying change, but those are alwaysa hang up for me!”

It’s been a long road to Burghley for Mackenna and Landioso, her own 15-year-old Bavarian Warmblood gelding (Legendaer I X Aspen, by Pilotek), who contracted shipping fever in the spring after flying to England to contest the Bramham CCI3* Under 25.

While shipping fever but a kibosh on the Bramham plan, Mackenna thinks it ultimately turned out to be a bless in disguise to stay through the summer based with Rodney Powell and Alex Franklin, who she said has helped her tremendously on the flat.

Mackenna and “Landi” completed Kentucky last year, and now they look ahead to their biggest test yet on Saturday. “I want to go for it. My plan is to have a watch and keep up on my minutes and look after him the best I can at the same time,” she said.

“I don’t think I would be doing this if it weren’t for him. He’s super laid-back, but when I get on to ride him he’s super intense. He takes his work very seriously — all business.”

Hannah Sue Burnett and Under Suspection. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Looking to our other American pairs, Hannah Sue Burnett and Mary Ann Ghadban’s Under Suspection sit just outside the top 10 in 11th on 48.8, a bit off the pace from the mare’s four-star debut at Kentucky this spring, where she scored 45.2 and ultimately finished fifth as the USEF CCI4* National Reserve Champion.

“I feel like we could have shown off the trot a lot more,” Hannah said. “She was really quiet in this warm American weather. She always does her best, and I could have ridden better.”

Now it’s on to the fun stuff for Hannah and “Pippy,” a 13-year-old Holsteiner mare (Contender X Naomagic I, by Exorbitant xx). Hannah last competed at Burghley in 2014 aboard Harbour Pilot, who stormed around clear on cross country before being withdrawn due to an injury.

“I feel so much more experienced since then,” Hannah said. “Walking the course this year I was wondering if I would feel the same way I did when I walked it three years ago. It’s nice to not feel that way now. I feel like I can actually do this. I don’t think it’s easy, but that first time you walk Burghley is just insane, so I’m glad to not feel that many nerves.”

Andrea Baxter and Indy 500. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Andrea Baxter and her own Indy 500 bettered their score from Kentucky by more then 3 marks to sit in 24th place on 56.9. “My Rolex test was probably cleaner, but this had more life to it and more energy and suppleness,” she said. “I think overall her quality of work was probably better here.”

It’s a dream for Andrea to be at Burghley with “Indy,” a 12-year-old Thoroughbred mare (Cromwell X Tens of Thousands, by Spend A Buck) she produced from a 4-year-old. “I always knew she could do it, but we’ve had a few hurdles along the way. Here we are! I feel kind of starstruck. I keep looking around and staring. It’s awe-inspiring.”

Indy is not the biggest fan of right-pointed corners, which feature prominently on the straight routes on Capt. Mark Phillips’ cross country course, so Andrea said her plan for Saturday includes taking many of the lounger routes. Andrea summarized the feelings of all the Burghley newbies: “It’s definitely bigger and longer than I could imagine!”

Woodge Fulton and Captain Jack. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Woodge Fulton and the Full Moon Farm Syndicate’s Captain Jack were the penultimate pair to perform today in front of the ground jury of Harry Payne, Martin Plewa and Katarzyna Konarska, scoring 68.9 for 31st place.

“He’s definitely not a dressage horse, which I know and I love him anyway,” Woodge said. “I have him more for Saturday than I do for today, but he held it together and that’s the best we can do. A lot of the time it starts to unravel and we get high 70s and low 80s, so I was really proud of him today.”

Woodge and Captain Jack, a 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Numerous X Lady Malone), didn’t cross an ocean to do dressage. After checking a big bucket list item when she completed her first four-star at Kentucky in the spring, now 22-year-old Woodge is ready to take on her biggest challenge yet.

“It’s a lot bigger than Kentucky, but I’m hopeful because he loves to gallop,” she said. “I know he’ll get tired, but he has a heart of gold, so if I don’t let him down, he won’t let me down.

We have four more American combinations still to come tomorrow. You can watch live on Burghley’s Facebook page, and you can also re-watch today’s action on the Facebook page. Click here for a full list of dressage ride times.

USA Friday dressage times:

  • Boyd Martin and Steady Eddie: 10:40 a.m. BST/5:40 a.m. EST
  • Lauren Kieffer and Veronica: 10:56 a.m. BST/5:56 a.m. EST
  • Lynn Symansky and Donner: 11:48 a.m. BST/6:48 a.m. EST
  • Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby: 3:18 p.m. BST/10:18 a.m. EST

Stay tuned for much more from Burghley, including EN’s official course preview starring Jonty Evans. Many thanks to intrepid EN reporter Tilly Berendt for taking us behind the scenes in the Burghley warm-up today, and to Nico Morgan for providing beautiful photos. Go Eventing.

Burghley Links: Website, Schedule, Dressage Ride Times, Live Scores, How to Watch Live, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

#AEC17 Quotes From the Top: Prelim and Training Dressage

By on Aug 31, 2017 2:00 pm -

Prelim and Training divisions have been our trailblazers here at the 2017 USEA American Eventing Championships, knocking out dressage on Wednesday and heading out on cross country today — best of luck to all!

Here’s what the dressage leaders had to say after their tests:

Mia Petersen and Parc Cooley. Photo by Sportfot.

Preliminary Amateur

Dressage leaders: Mia Peterson and Parc Cooley, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Cavalier Royale x Wellfields Allegro), on a score of 31.7

On her relationship with Parc Cooley: “I’ve had Parker since 2013 and he’s coming along very nicely. He can be a little spooky, but he’s a really sweet horse.”

On their test: “I was thrilled with the ride. Some days he struggles a bit with the tension, but today he came out and was very relaxed. It was just a matter of making sure that I had him uphill enough, but once we got that nicely in warm-up, he really had a great flow. We had a couple of bobbles, but there is always something that you want to fix. I got a little crooked with my second leg-yield, so I didn’t ride it as neatly as I should have. Overall though, I just came out and was really thrilled.”

Megan Sykes and Classic’s Mojah. Photo by Sportfot.

Professional’s Choice Training Horse

Dressage leaders: Megan Sykes and Classic’s Mojah, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Chabertin x Hauptstutbuch Senna), on a score of 21.1

On their test: “I was really happy with my ride. He was very relaxed. He didn’t seem to mind the atmosphere. He used to be a dressage horse, so he does pretty well in the dressage. We usually get good scores. It was very rideable and a great ride.”

On the cross country course: “I think that the cross country course is going to be a time challenge, just observing how tight it is, but I think that he’ll handle it well. I think that it’s something he’s never seen before. It’s bright and it’s new, so it’ll be a good challenge. I’m looking forward to it.”

Denise Goyea and Highlife’s Je T’aime. Photo by Sportfot.

Preliminary Rider

Dressage leaders: Denise Goyea and Highlife’s Je T’aime, a 9-year-old Oldenburg mare (Der Dollar x Jeunesse D’Or) owned by Madeline Hartsock, on a score of 27.5

On their test: “She stayed really relaxed and forward today. She can get a little shy in the dressage arena, but she didn’t today and that was really nice to have her feel calm but still ground covering.”

On their 17-hour drive from Massachusetts: “I ride with Sharon White so I was able to stop and cross country school in Virginia before coming here, which was a nice way to break it up. We love being here at the AEC. We were here last year and right when we left, my clients were trying to make housing reservations for this year because we knew that we wanted to come back. It’s a fantastic venue and it’s a great place for the riders, as well as the spectators.”

Carolyn Johnson and Black Label. Photo by Sportfot.

Professional’s Choice Training Amateur

Dressage leaders: Carolyn Johnson and her own Black Label, a 6-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Judith’s Wild Rush x Lovely Keri), on a scre of 26.6

On their test: “I thought he was really good today. I was a little nervous about how he would react to the atmosphere. This is the first time he has been in a big atmosphere like this, and he handled it really, really well. I was pleased with all of it.”

On Black Label’s personality: “He is a ham for sure. Definitely a barn favorite — gets himself in trouble quite a bit. I’ve been taking a lot of time at the basics and spending a lot of time on his rhythm and connection has definitely been my biggest focus with him. As a 3-year-old I took him to a lot of shows just to get on the grounds and to get him to relax. He has such a great brain — he wasn’t too difficult to bring along.”

On owning an OTTB (Black Label is a CANTER Pennsylvania grad): “I bought him from Chris Talley as a 3-year-old and I have just been working with him slowly and bringing him up the levels. This is his first year out at Training, but he has been really good. He has taken to it and likes eventing.”

Holly Payne-Caravella and CharmKing. Photo by Sportfot.

Preliminary Horse

Dressage leaders: Holly Payne-Caravella and CharmKing, a 2011 Holsteiner gelding (Cassito x O-Heraldika) owned by FARM CharmKing LLC, on a score of 21.3.

On their test: “He hasn’t been in such a big atmosphere before. He was here at TIEC for The Fork in the spring, but he didn’t go in the main arena for the dressage. He’s usually pretty consistent on the flat, but today he definitely felt a little bit more up than normal. I kind of put in a conservative test for him, but he’s really obedient, tried really hard and handled the atmosphere great. I was really pleased with him.”

On their cross country plan: “I’m used to riding a lot of Thoroughbreds and he didn’t race, so he didn’t really know how to gallop. He’s a good jumper, but I’ve been taking him out with my other Thoroughbreds and making him gallop and train with them. He has a good gallop in him, it’s just wasn’t brought out as a three and four-year-old like the other horses.

“I think that this track is hard and derby-like with lots of twists and turns, so I think the course will suit him well. My goal is to go out and make the time with him. He’s at that place now where I can push him a bit, so I’m going to see how much he has matured over the summer.”

Jordan Good and Danito. Photo by Sportfot.

Professional’s Choice Training Rider

Dressage leaders: Jordan Good and Danito, an 8-year-old Hanoverian (Dancier x Wie Musik) owned by Ruth Bley, on a score of 28.0

On their test: “It was a really good ride. My horse is just really great. As soon as he goes in the box he just does his thing and does well. I just try to stay out of his way.”

On the cross country course: “I think it’s a beefy Training level course, which it should be, but the course seems really fun. He’s got a huge stride, so he’ll cover some ground. I’ll kick on, go in between the flags, and hopefully it all goes well.”

On TIEC: “It’s amazing. I absolutely love it here. The footing is amazing and it’s so cool to be on grass. The venue is a world-class facility, so it’s really awesome to be here. We came out early for the jumper show and it’s been really fun.”

Audrie Stanka and Coughar. Photo by Sportfot.

Junior/Young Rider Preliminary

Dressage leaders: Audrie Stanka and her own Coughar, a 7-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Camaro M x Cortina), on a score of 25.1

On their test: “He was perfect. He was really forward, which is good, because that’s what we’ve been working on all summer. He was super responsive and did everything I asked him to do and more.”

On the cross country course: “My goal for tomorrow is to be as accurate and quick as possible.”

Madeline Hartsock and Prinz S.W. Photo by Sportfot.

Professional’s Choice Junior Training

Dressage leaders: Madeline Hartsock and her own Prinz S.W., an 8-year-old German Sport Horse Pony (PR. H. Principal Boy x St. Pr. St. Hauptsutbuch Bienchen), on a score of 25.0

On their test: “He definitely felt a lot better — very good. He didn’t break in his lengthenings and felt more connected than normal. I’ve had him for two years now. He went up to the equivalent of Training in Germany, so that’s been my goal with him.”

On the cross country course: “My goal for tomorrow is to really get him off that drop in the water and to make the time.”

[2017 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Land Rover and Nutrena® Begin With Successful Day of Dressage at TIEC]

AEC: Website, Schedule, Ride Times & Live Scoring, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram, Live Stream

By the Numbers: American Eventing Championships Advanced

By on Aug 31, 2017 11:00 am -

The masses have converged on the Tryon Equestrian Center and the Nutrena American Eventing Championships are in full swing even as we speak. Although the lower levels began their competition yesterday, the Advanced held out until today before doing dressage.

AEC Links: Website, Schedule, Ride Times & Live Scoring, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Photo courtesy of Tryon International Equestrian Center

The Event

  • In the past three runnings, the ultimate winner of the division was within 1.5 points of the leader after dressage.
  • Despite a high completion rate due to the championship caliber of the field, it has been historically difficult to make the time on cross country. In the last three runnings, only one pair in 55 starters has accomplished a clear round inside the time.

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Dressage Divas

  • Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous boast the only dressage average in the field to break into the twenties, clocking in at a 27.2 for the level over the past two years. This horse generally hovers in the mid-twenties and has only once received a score less than 70% for the level.
  • Who’s A Star and Courtney Cooper have a long track record of scoring in the low thirties or high twenties, averaging a 30.2 overall for the level. Although their consistency varies, they are a good bet to be right near the top on the first day.
  • Cambalda hasn’t quite regained his consistency following his time off, but considering he has placed in the top three of all three of his CIC3* starts this year, it hasn’t hurt him any. He and Jennie Brannigan are averaging a 31.5 for the 2017 show season thus far, a couple points higher than their three-star average back in 2015.
  • I’m Sew Ready puts in scores that vary heavily within a ten point range of 25 to 35, giving him an overall average of 32.1 . When he is really on, he and Phillip Dutton have hit scores as low as 26.8 before.

Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Cross Country Machines

  • Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me have racked up an impressive cross country resume over the past two years, clocking in ten clear CIC3* or Advanced rounds at an average of eight seconds over optimum. All were within twenty seconds of the time allowed and three were inside the time.
  • Vandiver and Doug Payne have been speedsters over the past two calendar years, racking up ten rounds within twenty seconds of optimum out of twelve CIC3* and Advanced runs.

Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda. Photo courtesy of Rare Air Photography.

Show Jumping Powerhouses

  • Cambalda and Jennie Brannigan are extremely strong in the stadium phase, with only one rail in their last eleven CIC3*/Advanced rounds. They haven’t had a single rail yet since Cambalda’s return to competition this year.
  • Lup the Loop has eight career starts at the Advanced and CIC3* level with Kylie Lyman in the irons, and he has had a rail at only one of them.
  • Vandiver and Doug Payne are going for their seventh consecutive clear CIC3*/A stadium round this weekend…the last rail they had cost them the win at last year’s American Eventing Championships.
  • RF Scandalous and Marilyn Little have only ever had one rail since the mare stepped up to the 3* level. This will be RF Scandalous’ first Advanced, after seven 3* attempts and one 4* run.

PREDICTED WINNER: Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Keep Your Eye On:

  • Doug Payne and Vandiver
  • Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda
  • Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready
  • Phillip Dutton and Mr. Candyman

Seven Snippets of Warm-Up Wisdom from Burghley

By on Aug 31, 2017 9:59 am -

Want an EN insider tip? If you want to improve your riding quickly and cheaply, head to the collecting ring. It’s where you can observe the building blocks that lead to sparkling dressage scores (I’m looking at you, Michi Sub-40 Superhuman Jung), and the various ways that top riders deal with tension, excitability and focus issues: the very same things we Regular People have to cope with in our own warm-ups.

The collecting ring at a CCI4* is a particularly potent stew of free knowledge, and this morning’s dressage session at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials yielded some life lessons we can all learn from.

1. A good support team is essential.

It takes a village to get an event horse into the ring at the top level, and while we’re not all lucky enough to have a full bevy of owners, grooms and trainers at our disposal, a friend with a clean rag who can give your boots a wipe and offer a last-minute confidence boost can make all the difference. Your personal cheerleading squad will be prepared to celebrate with you regardless of the outcome — no horse experience necessary. 

2. Every dressage test is a learning opportunity.

If you have a trainer who can help you warm up, so much the better — not only does it help to mitigate the risk of over-thinking (something we’re all guilty of — but with horses, as with men, overthinking solves nothing and mostly just leads to a tactical cry into a veritable fishbowl of wine), it also gives you the chance to turn your score into something positive: a chance to improve.

Whether you smash out a personal best or barely make it back to A, your trainer will be able to help you itemise areas you can work on to improve your scores in the future. Hey, even The Terminator receives coaching in the collecting ring. (As an aside, what does one even say to the world’s most decorated rider as he warms up for a dressage test?)

Coaching Michael Jung: a step-by-step guide.

3. Focus on the task at hand.

Okay, so no one goes eventing because they prefer the first phase — there’s a ready-made, sparkly discipline for that. You’re probably braving the white boards for one reason: you and your horse want to go cross-country. Thinking ahead to the fun bit can allow excitability to creep into your flatwork, which will manifest itself as tension when you desperately try to keep all four legs in the arena.

Instead, think about the here and now: if your horse, like Tom McEwen’s mount Toledo de Kerser, wants to run on and break into canter when schooling trot lengthenings, work on compressing and lengthening his stride in a no-pressure way, working transitions within the gait into a stretchy circle before asking your horse to pick himself up and fly across the diagonal. Your job isn’t to make sure he’s ready to tackle terrain at speed — for now, it’s to help him sit and focus. 

4. Know what works for your horse …

Don’t get bogged down with what another rider is doing in the collecting ring — they’re on a different horse, and while schooling changes and lengthenings may work for them, your horse may benefit from working on something he finds easy, like calm, quiet transitions. Know your horse and ride him accordingly, and for the length of time that suits him best.

With The Blue Frontier, who can be notoriously tricky and reactive, Andrew Hoy left enough time for a long, unhurried warm-up, working on lateral flexion within the canter work to encourage the horse not to set his neck, while giving him plenty of time to settle into the atmosphere. Roo Fox, on the other hand, found a quiet spot away from the collecting ring to work Fleet Street, knowing that exposure to the tannoys and crowds by the main arena would excite him before her test.

5. … but don’t be afraid to change your game-plan.

So your normally quiet horse has got a bit too much spring in his step — adapt and overcome for your best chance at a good score. If your usual warm-up routine isn’t working for you, for whatever reason, incorporate some different exercises to help your horse tap into his best work. Think about your lessons and schooling sessions at home — what do you work on there? Thinking about it analytically will help you to make a plan on the fly, and will also reduce competition nerves as you’ll dial your focus in on the moment.

6. Remember that mistakes are universal.

When it all goes a bit pear-shaped it’s so easy to let your mistakes become the centre of your universe — but even the world’s best riders can have less-than-ideal warm-ups and blips in their work, so if something goes wrong, you’re in great company. Don’t resign yourself to a bad test just because your warm-up hasn’t gone to plan — instead, stay in the moment, take a deep breath, and think and ride positively. A mistake isn’t a death knell, and a bad test doesn’t make you a bad rider.

7. Don’t forget to smile.

Away Cruising may have struggled to maintain his focus during his warm-up, overreacting his changes, which then went on to score 4s in the test, but Harry Meade kept a smile on his face throughout. While the pair may not be in contention for a top placing, Harry will be looking ahead to tackling Capt. Mark Phillips’ beefy cross-country course tomorrow — and that’s reason enough to smile (if you’re, you know, mental). Keep an eye on the positives, and remember the most important part of eventing: It’s fun!

Go Burghley, and Go Eventing!

Burghley: Website, Schedule, Dressage Ride Times, Live Scores, How to Watch Live, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Michael Jung and Sam Take Their Rightful Place in Burghley Lead

By on Aug 31, 2017 9:20 am -

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW scored 38.9 as the final pair to go before the lunch break to hold the current lead in the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials on the first day of dressage.

First place is familiar territory for this pair here at Burghley. Michael and Sam have competed at the fabled four-star just one other time during their storied partnership together, adding just 0.8 cross country time penalties to their dressage score to win in 2015 on 40.0.

Michael admitted after their test today that it was not a mistake-free performance. “In the canter for the flying change, for example, I did not get him enough in front of my leg. It was the problem for the changes. He was nice to ride. I’m happy to be here again with him.”

The score of 38.9 today improved on their 2015 score of 39.2, and while it’s off the pace from their four-star personal best of 33.0, it should still position Michael and Sam within striking distance as we look ahead to cross country.

“He’s a very good horse in all three disciplines. He’s strong enough,” Michael said. “I think you need very good management to prepare him for every discipline. The dressage was not really, really perfect, but I hope that I can manage the other two disciplines much better.”

Last year we saw eight tests in the 30s at Burghley, including Chris Burton and Nobilis 18’s record score of 30.2. Andrew Nicholson and Nereo, Caroline Powell and Onwards and Upwards, and Tim Price and Ringwood Sky Boy all scored in the 30s last year and are also competing in this year’s event, so we have their tests to look forward to across the remaining two days of dressage.

We also have our eight Americans still to come, with Hannah Sue Burnett and Under Suspection leading off for Team USA at 3:10 p.m. BST/10:10 a.m. EST. You can watch live on Burghley’s Facebook page. Click here for a full list of dressage ride times.

USA Thursday dressage times:

  • Hannah Sue Burnett and Under Suspection: 3:10 p.m. BST/10:10 a.m. EST
  • Andrea Baxter and Indy 500: 3:26 p.m. BST/10:26 a.m. EST
  • Mackenna Shea and Landioso: 3:34 p.m. BST/10:34 a.m.  EST
  • Woodge Fulton and Captain Jack: 3:42 p.m. BST/10:42 p.m. EST

USA Friday dressage times:

  • Boyd Martin and Steady Eddie: 10:40 a.m. BST/5:40 a.m. EST
  • Lauren Kieffer and Veronica: 10:56 a.m. BST/5:56 a.m. EST
  • Lynn Symansky and Donner: 11:48 a.m. BST/6:48 a.m. EST
  • Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby: 3:18 p.m. BST/10:18 a.m. EST

Looking to the rest of the lunchtime leaderboard, Paul Tapner and Bonza King of Rouges sit in second place on 46.2, with Tim Price and Xavier Faer in third on 46.5. Willa Newton and Chance Remark are the best placed British combination in fourth on 46.5.

Michael Jung has walked Capt. Mark Phillips’ cross country course once so far, saying he thought “the beginning looks a bit more soft maybe, but there are very big jumps. You have to be very concentrated and fast enough from the beginning for the time.”

Stay tuned for EN’s full course preview featuring commentary and analysis from Jonty Evans, who will be commentating during the BBC ‘s cross country coverage on Saturday. I’m delighted to have EN’s 2017 Blogger Contest winner Tilly Berendt working alongside me here at Burghley to bring you top notch coverage. Be sure to follow her adventures with Chinch on EN’s Instagram.

Burghley Links: Website, Schedule, Dressage Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Thursday News & Notes from Nupafeed

By on Aug 31, 2017 12:03 am -

Donner says, “I MUST DANCE!” Photo by Jenni Autry.

With the AECs and Burghley all wrapped up into one weekend, I can barely contain myself. I’m cheering for people far and wide, and watching all the amazing photos and videos (ahem, DONNER “trotting” at Burghley) with jealousy. I hope every horse remembers to keep his/her head down, jump all the things, and leaves all the colored poles in the cups!

We have Jenni Autry and Tilly Berendt on the grounds at Burghley and Leslie Wylie reporting at the AECs, so keep it locked on EN for coverage from around the globe. Go Eventing!

National Holiday: Trail Mix Day

Major Events This Week:

Burghley: Website, Entries, Schedule, Dressage Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

AEC: Website, Schedule, Ride Times & Live Scoring, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Seneca Valley Pony Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scoring]

Silverwood Farm H.T. [Website]

Woodland Stallion Station H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Park Equine Kentucky Classique H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Time is running out to apply for the Essex Horse Trials Grant and Seema Sonnad Junior Rider’s Grant! The deadline is midnight tomorrow, Sept. 1. If you are 25 and under and riding at the CIC3* level, you are eligible to apply for the $10,000 Essex Horse Trials Grant. Riders 18 and under competing at the CCI* level are eligible for the $5,000 Seema Sonnad Junior Rider’s Grant. [More Details Here]

Not only does the AECs offer $100,000 in prize money spread across divisions, but your shopping options are almost unlimited. Hosted at Tryon, you can have a glass of wine while you watch the action, and then toddle on down to the shopping center for just about anything your heart desires. Need a saddle? A new pair of fancy tall boots? Does you horse need some amazing jumping boots? The shopping is almost as good as Rolex. [Shopping at AECs]

Iconic Northern Irish retired jockey, AP McCoy, is turning his talents to the eventing world when he takes on the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials this weekend with surprise ‘ride’ 8.3hh World Horse Welfare Pamela, as announced on social media yesterday. AP plans to add Burghley to his list of accomplishments, alongside three Guinness World Records and wins in races like the Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Also, Pamela is freaking adorable. [AP McCoy Takes Burghley on a Palomino]

Self criticism is a tricky thing with equestrian pursuits, and while being willing to take on responsibility for things when they go wrong is important, too much can hurt your performance. Sports psychology demands that we envision the positive before going out on course, and if you’re stuck with negative thoughts, it’s hard to have a good round. Try these quick tips from Noelle Floyd to banish those feelings. [How to Kick Self Criticism to the Curb]

Hot on Horse Nation: 5 Reasons Equestrians Should Try Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Keep it coming with your support for horses in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. There are several equine disaster relief funds specifically aimed at this, as well as loads of smaller local fundraisers that appreciate money and donations in kind. Help heal Houston! [How to Help Houston Horses]

“No, you’ve had enough grass Pamela”