Classic Eventing Nation

By the Numbers: The Event at Rebecca Farm CCI3*

By on Jul 19, 2017 3:45 pm -

The addition of the CCI3* at Rebecca Farm two years ago created a whole new dynamic in the North American calendar. By adding a fifth CCI3* in North America, Rebecca suddenly opened up an option for horses or riders who may have not been ready to contest one in the spring.

With a stunningly picturesque landscape and an all-star management team, this year’s competition has attracted talent from literally all over the country to the remote reaches of Kalispell, Montana.

#RebeccaFarm: Website, Schedule, Ride Times & Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram

Rebecca Farm in the Flathead Valley. Photo by Chesna Klimek.

The Event

  • The CCI3* is running for the third time this year, having run for the first time in 2015. Both previous winners, DeLux Z and Copper Beach, were in third place after dressage. Coincidentally, 43.7 was the lowest dressage score for both years.
  • Only one pair has ever finished on their dressage score in the CCI3* division, despite one-third of competitors making the time on cross country. That pair, Kurt Martin and DeLux Z, went on to win the inaugural running in 2015.

Heather Morris and Charlie Tango. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Dressage Divas

  • Charlie Tango and Heather Morris are the clear favorites to hold the lead after the first phase. Their average three-star score sits at a 46.2 and has varied less than two points in either direction for the horse’s entire three-star career.
  • Although Paddy the Caddy averages a 51.2 for the level, he and Erin Sylvester have the capability of challenging for the lead. Although they haven’t yet broken into the 40s at the three-star level, their personal best scores have come at Advanced horse trials, where they’ve dipped into the equivalent of sub-45 scores on two occasions.
  • FE Ophelia just stepped up to three-star level at Great Meadow, laying down a 51.2 in her first start. However, she and Clayton Fredericks have ranged from scoring solidly in the 30s to just cracking 50 at the two-star level, so a big test is a possibility. [UPDATE: Clayton did not present FE Ophelia at the first horse inspection.]

Emilee Libby and Nonsensical. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Cross Country Machines

  • After a three-year hiatus from the level, favorites Emilee Libby and Nonsensical are back in action and have already been rocking and rolling. They have two CCI3* runs from 2014 that were both clean and inside the time on cross country day. Despite averaging 5.6 time penalties in their three runs this spring, they are one of the best bests to add nothing to their score in the second phase.
  • Paddy the Caddy and Erin Sylvester didn’t have the smoothest introduction to the Advanced level but have sorted it out over the past year, clocking in six consecutive clear runs while averaging 9.2 time penalties over the past two years. They are hot off a finish only one second over the optimum time as they head into the horse’s first CCI3*.

Alyssa Phillips and Bliss III. Photo by JJ Sillman Photography.

Show Jumping Powerhouses

  • Charlie Tango and Heather Morris have an almost perfect show jumping record at the Advanced/three-star levels. They have never had a rail in seven rounds and only once have they acquired time penalties.
  • Erin Sylvester and Paddy the Caddy have shown they have serious jumping chops, jumping clear rounds each of the three times they ran cross country prior to show jumping and leaving all the rails up in 10 of 12 rounds at this level.
  • Alyssa Phillips and Bliss III had a single rail in their very first Advanced back in the winter of 2015 and haven’t looked back since. Although they have had a couple time penalties on occasion, they have had no rails in the eight rounds since their first start.

PREDICTED WINNER: Erin Sylvester and Paddy the Caddy

Erin Sylvester and Paddy the Caddy. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Keep Your Eye On:

  • Clayton Fredericks and FE Ophelia [Update: Withdrawn]
  • Alyssa Phillips and Bliss III
  • Holly Jacks-Smither and More Inspiration

2028 Olympic Talent Watch: Sophie Stolley, Age 9

By on Jul 19, 2017 11:54 am -

The 2028 U.S. Eventing Team is already out there somewhere, and it’s up to us all to nurture their talent and their big dreams. “2028 Olympic Talent Watch” is an (adorable) new series in which we identify junior eventers who are already exhibiting the heart and the guts to lead American eventing to glory in the (distant) future. Any short-stirrup riders you know come to mind? Email us their story at [email protected]. This week’s edition features Sophie Stolley, age 9, of Richmond Hill, Georgia, nominated by Abbie Jones!

Photo by Photography In Stride.

I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be a cheerleader for a kid that is on a mission. We all know the story of the horse crazy kid with big dreams. Well I’ve had the privilege to see this taking shape in Sophie Stolley.

When I asked her, “When did you start riding?” and she said, “Well, I did a recognized horse trial before I was born,” I had to chuckle. I guess she’s correct: Her Mom Briana Stolley competed at Middleburg Horse Trials in Virginia when she was three months pregnant with Sophie. So I’m not sure Sophie had a choice about horses, but from my perspective, she was just born with the horse gene.

Starting with her first pony at 3 years old, wearing pigtails and ribbons, doing lead line with her dad at the Devon Horse Show, you couldn’t deny the path she was headed down. But I think her true growth and dedication to become a competitive rider has taken place right before my eyes in the last two years.

Photo by Robyn Scott.

Sophie is an Army kid, so she’s moved around a lot, but since moving to Richmond Hill, Georgia, in the summer of 2015 at 7 years old, I’ve watched her go from barely able to keep her pony Honey Bee in the canter to accomplishing great things in a short amount of time for a kid her age.

Richmond Hill is not known for its horse resources, so Sophie’s mom took on the monumental challenge of starting and becoming the District Commissioner of the Ogeechee River Pony Club (ORPC) so that Sophie and other area kids could come together to learn all aspects of riding and horse care, as well as have opportunities to work with various trainers and other pony clubs to develop their skills.

As witness to Sophie’s growth, I have no doubt that participating in Pony Club, along with her mom’s dedication to providing her great instruction, has helped transform her into a young rider that has high aspirations and is serious about her sport.

Sophie’s ultimate goal is to ride at the Olympic level, but she commented that her 10-year plan is to compete at the Preliminary level, obtain her Pony Club “A” rating and probably get another pony or maybe even a horse.

Currently working toward this goal and since initiation of the ORPC, Sophie has attained her D-2 rating, won first place at the 2016 Carolina Region Eventing Rally at FENCE in the 12-inch division, and finished first at the 2017 South Region Eventing Rally at Pine Top in the Amoeba division.

Most recently, Sophie and Honey’s biggest accomplishment was competing at their first major horse trials in the Starter Division at none other than May Daze at the Kentucky Horse Park. With a score of 34, she was fourth after dressage and rode a clear in stadium to move up to third. An unfortunate nervous runout on cross country saw her finish in 10th place. Not bad for a 9-year-old kid in a huge division of much older, more experienced competitors!

However, what is so special is to see this kid with her game face on. She’s determined, brave, has heart, loves her pony and just like that young horse who makes it around his first cross country course, you could see her confidence grow and you can tell she has become a true eventer. I can’t wait to watch her journey.

Road to Rebecca, Presented by Bieman de Haas: Behind the Scenes with Team Canada

By on Jul 19, 2017 8:30 am -

We're excited to follow along with Bieman de Haas sponsored rider Holly Jacks-Smither and More Inspiration as they compete in the CCI3* at The Event at Rebecca Farm. Joining her on this adventure are sisters Ella and Eva Marquis, who are representing Canada at NAJYRC. Read all of their blogs here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Holly Jacks-Smither with Eva and Ella Marquis. Photo by Mark Marquis.

Yesterday was another beautiful day in paradise at Rebecca Farm and the first day our whole team was together. It was also the first day back in work for the horses after their long ship down to the farm. The horses are settling in well and happy with their stalls and surroundings.

The day started with an early morning flat lesson. Hollywood, AKA Lurch, was very good and felt great after his long haul down. He can sense the excitement. The grounds are filling up with lots of horses. More than 700 entries in total are expected for this event.

Hollywood, AKA Lurch, in his flat lesson. Photo by Mark Marquis.

As for Polly she was better than expected considering she is usually quite hot and wild, especially when arriving in new territory! The afternoon led to team hacks in the beautiful fields of Montana with a gorgeous mountain view and lots of grazing and walking.

Everyone went on the hack except Polly. The crazy little nugget had yet another short flat ride in the afternoon, improving on her first. She was finally more relaxed and supple and she felt amazing.

Polly settles in during her second flat lesson of the day. Photo by Mark Marquis.

It was great getting to know our lovely teammates and their families throughout the day. We shared many stories of our early days learning to ride. Chloe Duffy’s stories of jumping her pony in a halter with bailer twine had us roaring.

It seems Tosca Holmes-Smith has been on a horse since she was 2-years-old, so she is definitely the most seasoned and experienced on the team. Her past experiences at Young Riders will definitely help the rookies out.

Ella and Polly show off their shades. Photo by Mark Marquis.

We finished the day with some photo ops with the team and had pizza for dinner at a local restaurant. A great evening.

We look forward to what today has in store for us and the team with the horse inspection and draw this afternoon. Stay tuned!

The Canadian Young Riders CH-J* Team. From left, Eva Marquis with Hollywood, Ella Marquis with Meadowbrook’s Pollyanna, Chloe Duffy with Oro, and Tosca Holmes-Smith with Fiat.

Wednesday News & Notes from SmartPak

By on Jul 19, 2017 12:01 am -

There are more things to do at Rebecca Farm than just ride. Photo via Madeline Backus’ FB page.

The masses have converged on the beautiful Rebecca Farm, and the social media feeds are filling up with photo after photo of gorgeous mountains, serene lake vistas, and blue skies as far as the eye can see. Four-star rider Madeline Backus has found plenty to keep her busy, with a yoga session on a surf board in the middle of the lake. Talk about Instagram worthy!

National Holiday: National Daiquiri and Raspberry Cake Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Fitch’s Corner H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

Full Moon Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

Silverwood Farm Summer H.T. [Website]

The Event at Rebecca Farm CCI, CIC, & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

[CHIO Aachen Entry List]

Your Wednesday News & Notes:

If Rebecca isn’t enough for you, there’s this little show called Aachen happening across the pond. Let’s not forget that Aachen hosts all three Olympic disciplines as well as driving and vaulting. Oh, and a couple of really prominent American ladies happen to be competing as individuals in the eventing competition. Good luck, Lauren and Hannah Sue! [What You Need to Know About the 2017 Aachen]

The beginning of the fall season is upon us: the AECs are open! Held for the second year at Tryon Equestrian Center, the AECs will be another chance for American competitors to scope out the 2018 WEG venue. Don’t miss your chance to compete at the AECs here before it rotates out to the Colorado Horse Park for 2018. [The AECs Are Open]

The Fitch’s Corner Horse Trials and Market Weekend is this weekend, July 22 & 23 and there is much excitement around the new Saturday Nite Social. Competitors and Millbrook fans will enjoy cocktails, gourmet food stations, strolling musicians, shopping in Fitch’s Market and the Horse & Hound Court while the stadium phase of the Stubben Novice Master’s Challenge will Stadium jump in front of the crowd.  For tickets go to www.fitchscorner.com/buytickets for $35.00 on line or $45.00 at the door if available. [Saturday Nite Social]

Have you ever wished you could give your younger self some sage advice? Eighteen top riders do just that in the latest Horse & Hound column. From learning another language to not taking mistakes so hard, top eventers, show jumpers, jockeys, and dressage riders chime in on some of their sage-est thoughts. [Make Your Equestrian Dreams Come True]

SmartPak Product of the Day: I’ll fully admit that I am a true believe in riding in my tall boots every ride. I’ll toss on my paddock boots and half chaps if the weather looks poor, or if I’m just doing fitness sets. For jumping and dressage though, I toss on my tall boots to maintain the same feel from home to show. This means I go through tall boots maybe a little quicker than I’d like, so I try to buy quality boots at a good price point; the key is quality, but not so expensive that they break the bank when I buy them every couple of years. [Smart Pak]

Tuesday Video from SpectraVET: Champagne Run Intermediate & Prelim Helmet Cams

By on Jul 18, 2017 5:00 pm -

You guys were out and about with your helmet cams over the weekend at Champagne Run H.T.! Enjoy a virtual romp around the Kentucky Horse Park cross country course via one of these Prelim and Intermediate level helmet cams, and check out full results here.

Why SpectraVET?

Reliable. Effective. Affordable.

SpectraVET is committed to providing only the highest-quality products and services to our customers, and to educating the world in the science and art of laser therapy.

We design and manufacture the broadest range of clinically-proven veterinary therapeutic laser products, which are represented and supported worldwide by our network of specialist distributors and authorized service centers.

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Bays for Days

By on Jul 18, 2017 2:00 pm -

Hey, hey bay-by / I wanna know-oh-oh / if you’ll be my event horse.

When I saw you walking down the barn aisle / I said that’s a kind of horse that could make me smile / A bay so pretty, with movement so fine / I’m gonna make that OTTB mine all mine.

Hey, hey bay-by …

Forgive me, I could not resist. Here are three attractive bay OTTBs we’d love to see in a startbox someday!

Photo via CANTER Northern California.

Latest Craze (Super Saver – Charity Girl, by Pulpit): 2013 16.1-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

Royally bred, he cost $260,000 as a yearling and was purchased by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. Not a successful race horse, but maybe with his long smooth stride he can be a champion hunter/jumper or eventer. Was very well mannered on the ground and for his jog. A nice prospect. Located at Golden Gate Fields.

View Latest Crazy on CANTER Northern California.

Photo via CANTER Delaware.

Andrea’s Hope (Nicanor – Preach Love, by Pulpit): 2014 16.1-hand Maryland bred mare

Sound, no vices. This lovely girl is good looking and sensible. She is by Barbaro’s brother and out of a Pulpit mare, so she has wonderful breeding. Her barn connections vouch for her saying she has a wonderful personality, is great to work around, and has no bad habits. The only reason she is for sale is that the owner wants to exit the business. Any horsewoman out there wanting to capitalize on this opportunity? Owner realizes this is a nice mare and will even provide retraining fees/subsidies to the right new owner.

View Andrea’s Hope on CANTER Delaware.

Photo by CANTER Northern California.

Seeking The One (Sought After – Mistical One, by High Brite): 2014 15.3+hand California bred gelding

Meet Seeker! This is a solid, stout horse!He is a very lovable guy, who wants to be where you are. Very correct and nice bone. A beautiful full mane and tail. Almost looks a little Irish. Raced once but showed no promise. The trainer is downsizing right now and has too many horses. Reported to be sound. One old, cold splint. Raised in Pleasanton where the horses are started on the farm. This guy wants his person! No shoes, and still goes out for light work. Located at Golden Gate Fields. Get a clean slate! Could go any direction. Seems like an uncomplicated guy.

View Seeking The One on CANTER Northern California.

A Grand Finale for Andrea Glazer at the Maccabiah Games

By on Jul 18, 2017 11:00 am -

We’ve been following the story of Andrea Glazer, an eventer among showjumpers at the Maccabiah Games. After helping Team USA find Team silver (see Part II, “Team Silver Is the New Gold“), she had one round left to go to determine individual placings. In her first rounds Andrea was catch riding an unfamiliar horse named Chin Chinello over 1.20-meter, or 3’9″, show jumping courses — an impressive feat! For the final round, the fences were even bigger. Thanks for sharing your story, Andrea! 

Andrea with her parents at the Games. Photo courtesy of Andrea Glazer.

My grooms, best friends, biggest cheerleaders, and parents, all in one — I could not have done any of this without them. Last night was the last round in the Maccabiah Games, the last time I would wear my pinque coat, ride Chin Chinello, and represent the United States in Teddy Stadium.

I was so excited to go back in the ring one last time … until I saw how big the jumps were. I thought they would be 1.25, which is still gigantic, but they were 1.30, which is bigger than the highest level in eventing! Neither Chin Chinello, nor I, had ever shown that high, so I guess you could say I was nervous.

I don’t think I said a word during the course walk. As we passed jump 6, Kate looked at me and goes, “After this jump, you can pull out, you don’t have to do this.” Kate has only known me for a week so I don’t think she realized how hard I’ve worked and that I definitely am not going to quit the competition early when I have made it this far.

The course was technical and huge. We had a triple bar into a triple combination. I’ve never seen or jumped a line like that. To further explain, it was a very wide jump, three rails in width instead of the normal one or two, then two strides to a tall vertical, to two more strides to another vertical. After the rider, hopefully, jumps through that line, you have to sit up, reorganize, and kick on to get the forward seven strides to a huge oxer. Chin Chinello, being the huge horse that he is, was going to have trouble with this line if I didn’t jump in perfectly. The jumps were two big to screw up — Kate and I both knew that. I have never been so nervous in my entire life.

Photo courtesy of Andrea Glazer.

I got into warm-up and immediately felt better. He’s so big, so the jumps looked a little smaller from my “bird’s eye view.” I warmed up, jumped huge jumps (a vertical that was 1.35!!), and went into the stadium that was filled with the biggest crowd yet. I took one huge breath, gave Chin Chinello a pat to calm both of our nerves, and started my course.

The first jump was great, I turned to the second and the cheers from the crowd after I jumped it clean made Chin Chinello buck. I lost my rhythm and knocked #2, kicked him on to leave a stride out to clean the huge oxer with water under it. I jumped 4, 5, and 6 well, barely hitting another one down because he was tired, and then I turned to the huge triple bar combination.

I JUMPED IT PERFECTLY!

I jumped in, sat all the way back to fit in the two strides between both verticals, then kicked on to the huge oxer — it was amazing! I jumped the last five jumps, finished the course, and galloped around the ring patting him and hugging him because I DID IT!

As I galloped out of the ring, I see my mom running from her hiding spot (she’s so weird), tears in her eyes, kissing Chin Chinello, hugging me, until I cried. It was the highlight of my trip.

Photo courtesy of Andrea Glazer.

My teammates all put in great rounds. Syd rode her horse, Cheese, perfectly and finished 22nd. Cloe and Haley cleaned up and both were in the top five! I am so sad that the competition is over. It was the best week of my life.

I stay in Israel until the 18th when I leave for Australia. I had to say bye to my amazing parents yesterday, which was really hard since I won’t see them until November. I am counting down the days until they visit!

Photo courtesy of Andrea Glazer.

For now, I am just hanging out in Israel and going to watch the other sports who still have games left. Thank you to everyone who cheered me on throughout my preparation and competition. I can’t wait for my next adventure, and will keep blogging until you guys get sick of me!

You can read more on Andrea’s blog here. 

Help Get Woodge Fulton and Captain Jack to Burghley!

By on Jul 18, 2017 8:30 am -

Woodge Fulton and Captain Jack. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Woodge Fulton and Captain Jack are perfect Burghley contenders. Woodge, age 21, and the 14-year-old OTTB possess the guns-blazing gutsiness it takes to get around the iconic British event’s massive cross country track, and after their successful four-star debut at Kentucky they’re on a roll and ready to take the next step.

Let’s help get them to the other side of the pond! The Fulton family’s Full Moon Farm in Finksburg, Md., is hosting a Derby X Show on Sunday, July 30, to help raise the funds for their journey.

The Derby X, featuring jumps from Starter to Training level heights, is a great opportunity to get any horse a bit of mileage. It’s a “you pick it” type course, with three or four height options for each fence. The course starts over five to eight show jumps before heading out to pick up six to eight cross country fences, including the water jump.

Green horse? No problem. Have up to five refusals at a jump before you need to pick another one. Your horse need a buddy? Bring a friend to get a lead! Think you will be lonely? Bring a bunch of friends!

Prizes will be given for categories like “Best Use of Aloha Wear,” “Best Super Hero Costume,” “Cutest Pair,” “Ugliest Pair,” “Largest Group,” etc. “You get the idea,” reads the flyer. “All for fun and to get the kid and the horse to England!”

The entry fee is $100 per horse/rider, with extra rides per horse and rider only $10. Prepaid entries get to pick their start time! First come first reserved! Click here to enter.

In addition to the competition, the event will feature a silent auction, food, drink, a 50/50 raffle and … a kissing booth with Ricky Bobby?

Love it.

Can’t make it, but still want to help Woodge and Captain Jack? You can make a tax deductible donation through the American Horse Trials Foundation. Call Jodi at 301-856-3064 to find out how.

Go Woodge and Captain Jack. Go Eventing!

Tuesday News & Notes from Cavalor

By on Jul 18, 2017 12:01 am -

The #RoadtoRebecca! Photo by Sara Kelson (@sara.ndipty).

It’s here! The Event at Rebecca Farm kicks off today with the USEA’s Young and Future Event Horse divisions. Going to Rebecca Farm has always been a big bucket list item, and I’m happy to say I’ll get it check it off this year! Unfortunately not on horseback, but a happy spectator nonetheless.

National Holiday: National Sour Candy Day, National Caviar Day

Events Opening This Week: Woodland Stallion Station H.T. (CA, A-6) USEA AEC, Adequan Gold Cup Finals, and ATC Finals (NC, A-2) Silverwood Farm H.T. (WI, A-4) Park Equine KY Classique H.T. (KY, A-8) Seneca Valley Pony Club H.T.(MD, A-2)

Events Closing Today: Olney Farm H.T. (MD, A-2) Catalpa Corner Charity Horse Trial (IA, A-4) Millbrook H.T. (NY, A-1) River Glen Summer H.T. (TN, A-3)

News & Notes:

Sarah Broussard is many things… the driving force behind The Event at Rebecca Farm, a mother, and a paramedic. 406 Women’s Magazine dives into Sarah’s life from living in a pickup camper to compete as a teenage, to skijoring. [Meeting Super Sarah: The Woman Behind The Event at Rebecca Farm]

Did you know the average horse carries 58% of its weight on his front legs and 42% on his hind legs? After seventeen years of collecting data on gait analysis, Hilary Clayton has determined the horse’s sling muscles (serratus ventralis thoracis and pectoral muscles) are one of the most important in attaining self carriage. [The Significance of a Horse’s Chest Sling Muscles Biomechanics Research]

Top eventer Georgie Spence says “listen to your parents.” Horse & Hound rounded up eighteen top riders and asked them what advice they’d give their 15-year-old selves. Hindsight may be 20/20, but sometimes you can learn the lessons from someone else’s past. [18 Ways to Make Your Equestrian Dreams Come True]

There’s a rivalry heating up this weekend at Aachen CHIO. Laura Graves is heading to Aachen in top form to give Germany’s Isabell Werth a run for her money. Laura says she emulates Isabell’s precision in the dressage arena on a daily basis, but she is hoping she can top her scores this weekend. [Ringside Chat: Laura Graves is Ready to Take on Isabell Werth at Aachen]

Tuesday Video: Sharpen up your braiding skills with a tutorial from Lainey Ashker:

Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: #NakedMysteryMan at Champagne Run H.T.

By on Jul 17, 2017 5:30 pm -

When a group of Tennessee eventers competing at Champagne Run H.T. discovered an assortment of naked Ken dolls tucked into their gear …

Photo via Road Less Traveled Event Team.

… the search was on to uncover their source. Who put them there? What did it all mean?

Their investigation, headed up by Erika Adams of the Road Less Traveled Eventing Team, yielded no culprit. So instead, they decided to just roll with it. And #NakedMysteryMan was born.

(Turn on video volume for Erika’s “explanation.”)

 

Posted by Erika Adams on Saturday, July 15, 2017

Go Eventing.