Welcome to #EventerFailFriday — EN’s newest series that takes a look at our most humbling moments in the sport we love. Thank you to ALL who entered our contest to win one of C4’s new Oh Crap! Strap Skinny Belts.
Both Dylan Fisher and Candace Bell will receive an Oh Crap! Strap Skinny Belt as the contest winners. Click here to buy your own C4 Oh Crap! Strap, and here to browse C4’s full line of equestrian belts.
We’ve got more fails coming at you today than you could shake a crop at, but first, let’s kick things off with this epic save.
But what if they made the jump judges dress up like elves and sugarplums? Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Here’s wishing all Luhmühlen competitors a fairytale trip around Saturday’s cross country course! The track has an enchanted feel about it, like something out of a Brothers Grimm fable, dipping in and out of sun-dappled pines over jumps aesthetically inspired by their woodland setting. It’s like a nature walk going around it — I watched white-bottom bees diving headfirst into the plush pollen of wildflowers, frogs splashing around in the water obstacles, and songbirds chasing one another across the sapphire blue sky.
Don’t you just want to gallop through this grove of pines? Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Mike Etherington Smith inherited the course design baton from Captain Mark Phillips after Luhmühlen 2016. He says it will take him another two or three years to get the track where he wants it, but his inaugural track already bears his stamp — stiff yet horse-friendly and, of course, impeccably presented.
Four out of five of our U.S. pairs are rerouting from an unlucky Rolex or Badminton, and the fifth, Marilyn Little with RF Scandalous, is looking to Luhmühlen for a four-star debut. So all stand to benefit from a course that is big and challenging yet legible, so to speak, which Luhmühlen looks to be.
“I am mindful that Luhmühlen has a fantastic reputation in the sport and am very keen to ensure that this continues,” Mike said of the course.
“A lot of work has been done to continue developing the footing, which for me is very important and we have a number of new fences to add to the mix,” Mike continued. “Good footing leads to confident horses and good jumping, and my thanks to everyone who has worked so hard on it throughout the year despite the best efforts of the wild pigs to destroy their handiwork!”
Riders will need to keep gas in the tank for the last real question on this year’s course, the DHL Komplex at #26-27 . Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Not sure my own curvaceous pony could squeeze between the flags of fence #25, a tall, skinny triple brush on a mound. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
The first splash into water arrives at fences #7-8, the Krüll Cars Village. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Love the fox hunt theme detail on fence #14, nestled on a new path through the woods. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Take a tour via this drone flyover video from Luhmühlen:
And we’ll hand the mic to CrossCountry App for a fence-by-fence play-by-play. Many thanks to Felicia von Baath from the Horse and Rider Shop Luhmühlen for recording it, and don’t forget to download the course to your iPhone and iPad via CrossCountry App.
We’ll update this post with cross country ride times when they become available. Keep it locked here for all the latest!
Yesterday, I was doing some work around the barn, and decided to go grab a rake. It was a large, metal rake, and as luck would have it, was facing away from me. So, being a smart person, I said, I’ll just really slowly step on the teeth of this rake and have it come upright towards me. I thought I could manage it. I thought I was smarter than the cartoon character that steps on a rake. I was not, and today I’m sporting a very large egg on my forehead, and struggling to wear my helmet. #glamorouslife #equestrianstyle
What to do when you’ve got a really slow moving young horse? I’ve got one right now (pictured above), and he’s lovely and safe and dead quiet to ride. Downside is, he can barely trot around the ring for a few times in a row, he’s so tired by moving his giant body around. He needs some long slow miles to build strength to move a little faster, but it will come! Horse & Hound has some suggestions for teaching a young horse to go forward properly. [H&H]
It’s no secret that horses shaped our world into what it is today, even if they aren’t part of everyday life for everyone anymore. From being major assets in war times, to lending a hand to the economic boom in cities, and still supporting rural towns around the world, horses have worked alongside humans for as long as we can remember. If you’re into history, check out this history of the horse. [When Horses Ruled]
Casually looking for a multi-million dollar equine haven just outside L.A.? Don’t worry, we got you covered. You’ll be rubbing elbows with the most famous celebrity horse owners in no time, for just $6.9 million you can own a forty acre show jumping paradise! [Horse Nation]
Holy cow, SmartPak is throwing a summer party with deals to knock your socks off. I mean, SmartPak always has your back with great prices on amazing products, but they’re really doing it up right now with some serious summer savings. Check out the necessities of summer survival here today! [SmartPak Product of the Day]
A couple weekends ago at Bromont, in lieu of our usual course walk, we sent Le Chinch on a mission to tackle the entire CCI3* course himself. Being only eight inches tall, it seemed an impossible feat.
We attempted to bolster his confidence by quoting passages from the great motivational speaker R. Kelly: “We believe you can fly! We believe you can touch the sky!”
And fly/touch the sky is what he did, reaching heights never before imagined for a tiny, not-that-aerodynamic stuffed animal. You can view the complete photo gallery here.
Le Chinch’s CCI3* debut was a big hit with readers, especially readers with a demented sense of humor and too much time on their hands. So when we recruited Chinchwürst, Chinch’s alcoholic German uncle, to sub in as our furry foreign correspondent at Luhmühlen, part of the deal was that he had to reenact Le Chinch’s feat.
CCI3*, CCI4,* drunk, sober… I mean, it’s really not that big a difference, right?
Wrong.
We apologize in advance.
OK, we lied. He didn’t smash into EVERY jump — just about 50% of the course. We felt morally obligated to cut him off after about his 10th concussion.
Go Chinchwürst. Go Eventing.
And keep it locked here for complete coverage of Luhmühlen 2017.
Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous have been girls on fire this spring, winning their last two CIC3* starts, and they’re off to a smoking start in the mare’s four-star debut. The pair presented a positively glossy dressage performance today at Luhmühlen to take the overnight CCI4* lead.
Marilyn and “Kitty,” a 12-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by Ms. Jacqueline Mars, Robin Parsky, and Phoebe and Michael Manders, were the last of the day to go. They edged former leaders Nicola Wilson and Bulana out of the top spot by a seventh of a point, finessing each movement for all it was worth — although Marilyn says she thinks their best performance is yet to come: “In time there are a few more points to knock off for sure.”
Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Ginny Nayden.
Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Ginny Nayden.
“She was wonderful, she’s always so much fun to ride, always a pleasure to go down the centerline with,” Marilyn says. “She’s the fittest she’s ever been, so she was a little bit fresher than she normally is and there’s a great electric atmosphere out there. I just needed to trust her just a bit more.”
Marilyn describes Kitty a courageous, if low-mileage horse, and she’s looking forward to tackling Luhmühlen’s cross country track with the mare.
“This is her first first four-star so it’s going to be a big test, lots to do, but it’s beautifully presented and it seems horse-friendly enough,” Marilyn says. “She’s very smart. I can’t think of any partner I’d rather leave the startbox with, so I’m very lucky.”
Sharon White and Cooley On Show. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Sharon White and Cooley On Show were the first U.S. CCI4* pair out of the gate this afternoon, and they finished the day in the top 10 on a 49.8. The big atmosphere of billowing flags, menacing horse statues, on-the-move spectators and at least one giant inflatable teddy bear worked in the pair’s favor, giving the striking dappled grey a little extra oomph during his test.
“I was thrilled,” Sharon says. “Usually he’s very quiet, so he was a little sharp which was exciting — he was really taking me somewhere. We call him a surfer because he’s very laid back about everything, but he’s also very good at what he does. He’s super trainable. It’s actually odd how trainable he is.”
Sharon White and Cooley On Show. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Sharon White and Cooley On Show. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Sharon White and Cooley On Show. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
The 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, owned by Louise Walsh and the rider, is so gifted of body and mind, nothing thus far in his career has really fazed him. It wasn’t until his first four-star at Kentucky, where the pair retired cross country, that a course finally gave him something to think about.
Sharon explains, “I was a little passive at Kentucky because he’s such a good cross country horse, but he is young to the level and I think that at the four-star level they actually have to work. That will be a new feeling for him, to actually have to work at something.”
Katherine Coleman and Longwood. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Not unlike Hannah Sue Burnett’s CIC3* ride on RF Demeter earlier in the day, Katherine Coleman’s Longwood had some trepidations about Luhmühlen’s arena decor.
“Oh, a wooden horse — that is probably going to eat me,” Katherine laughs, translating the inner monologue of her mount. It’s hard to get a pristine change when your horse is busy giving random statues the stink-eye, but Katherine countered it with a tactful ride to score a 57.5, good for 19th place.
It’s a few points lower than what they’ve been averaging, but as Katherine puts it, “It’s what you’ve got on the day, right?”
Katherine Coleman and Longwood. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Katherine Coleman and Longwood. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Katherine Coleman and Longwood. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Katherine hopes to regain some points on Saturday, as cross country is where the 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, owned by KC Eventing Ltd., shines. “All is usually forgiven on cross country day,” she says. “He’s just a proper Irish cross country machine and loves his job in that regard.”
The pair is bouncing back from a tough go at Badminton, and Katherine likes the looks of Luhmühlen as a comeback course after the grueling British four-star. “I think it looks very jumpable, which is a nice feeling after Badminton! It’s a lot to take in, Badminton, and the jumps …. you’re walking that thinking ‘Ah, I just want to get home.'”
Photo by Ginny Nayden
Luhmühlen’s recap of the first day action:
Still to come tomorrow from the U.S. contingent:
Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot: Friday 2:22 p.m. local time (8:22 a.m. EST)
Will Coleman and Obox O’Reilly: Friday 3:32 p.m. local time (9:32 a.m. EST)
European events go out of their way to keep the crowd entertained at all times — I’ve seen a falconry demonstration at Luhmühlen, a mock hunt (replete with actual dead animal on a string) at Boekelo, and a Dirty Dancing line-dance themed award ceremony at Pau. But I’ve not yet witnessed anything as adorable as the mid-afternoon leadline cross country class here at Luhmühlen.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
The pony brigade entered the ring and, in the spirit of a proper cross country competition, the excitement began immediately, with one feisty mount pitching its toddler straight into the arms of his handler. The ponies began filing in one-by-one to tackle the course, a miniature obstacle course that included a brush, a log jump and even a teensy-tiny water.
Faces of determination:
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Here’s a wee video:
After everyone had successfully completed their rounds, the judging committee, which included Michael Jung, deliberated on their performances.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Meanwhile the kids grew restless on the sidelines.
They were offered refreshment from the Stirrup Cup …
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
… which I assume was water, although this kiddo’s face indicates that it may have been something stiffer.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
In the end, of course, they were all winners. Each received a rosette, their very own Willbury Wonderpony, and a job-well-done from Princess Anne.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
We’ll be back soon with more from this afternoon’s CCI4* dressage competition!
Hannah Sue Burnett and RF Demeter. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Like the terrified yet glamourous heroine in a horror movie, RF Demeter couldn’t not look beautiful if she was being chased around the dressage arena by an axe-wielding murderer in a hockey mask. Which wasn’t exactly the case during her CIC3* dressage test this morning here at Luhmühlen, but the wooden horse sculptures menacing gargoyles surrounding the arena did seem suspect to the mare.
“She was really afraid of the statues,” Hannah Sue Burnett said after their test, which scored a 46.0. “I tried to show them to her yesterday but I don’t know if that just made it worse. It’s like, ‘Those horses are moving, but they’re not!'”
A tough concept to wrap one’s head around, indeed.
They’re EVERYWHERE. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Despite a conservatively played test, the pair managed a very respectable ninth place standing at the conclusion of the first day of CIC3* dressage in a stocked pond of big fish German eventers.
“She was good,” she said. “She obviously knows her job. I’m just trying to get a hang of her a little bit and in this intense atmosphere get as many points as I can.”
While it must be frustrating to know that they’re capable of a score 20 points lower, Luhmühlen is this pair’s first three-star outing together and they’ve got a big future ahead of them. Campaigned through the four-star level by Marilyn Little, who is here contesting the CCI4* with RF Scandalous, Hannah Sue and the 15-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by Ms. Jacqueline Mars placed second at their most recent FEI outing, the Carolina International CIC2* in March.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to ride her,” Hannah Sue said. “She’s such a special horse. Everybody knows her — she’s like a celebrity.”
Hannah Sue Burnett and RF Demeter. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Hannah Sue Burnett and RF Demeter. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Hannah Sue Burnett and RF Demeter. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Hannah Sue Burnett and RF Demeter. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Hannah Sue Burnett and RF Demeter. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
With her CCI4* ride on Harbour Pilot not until tomorrow, Hannah Sue plans to head out for a look around the cross country course this afternoon. “William” recently laid down a personal best dressage score at Houghton Hall, but uncharacteristic rails kept a tip-top finish just out of reach. “He hadn’t run for a while before that, and I think he was just a bit wild in the show jumping,” Hannah Sue said. “I’m excited. It’s time to stop messing around.”
Best of luck to you on both your rides, Hannah Sue! And don’t worry, Demi, Chinch has been hard at work since your test to tame those impostor equines.
Ride ’em cowboy!
Germany’s Bettina Hoy is the overnight CIC3* leader with Seigneur Medicott on a score of 26.3. “It went really, really well,” Bettina said of her test. “He’s an amazing horse.”
The 11-year-old Westphalian gelding has been in Bettina’s yard since he was six. “He’d only done show jumping before, but he’s taken everything in stride. He won his last three international competitions: Blenheim, Chatsworth and Houghton three weeks ago.”
Bettina Hoy and Seigneur Medicott. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
The next three standings are occupied by Germans as well: Ingrid Klimke with her 2016 Rio Olympic partner Horseware Hale Bob OLD in second, Michael Jung with his up-and-coming Star Connection, and Julia Krajewski with Chipmunk FRH with whom she recently finished second in the Weisbaden CIC3*.
Dressage continues this afternoon with the start of the CCI4* division.
U.S. dressage ride times:
Sharon White and Cooley on Show: Thursday 1:37 p.m. local time (7:37 a.m. EST)
Katherine Coleman and Longwood: Thursday 3:57 p.m. local time (9:57 p.m. EST)
Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous: Thursday 4:42 p.m. local time (10:37 a.m EST)
Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot: Friday 2:22 p.m. local time (8:22 a.m. EST)
Will Coleman and Obox O’Reilly: Friday 3:32 p.m. local time (9:32 a.m. EST)
Repping Nupafeed and our fallen friend, Jon Sonkin. Photo by Corey Shannon.
The eventing community continues to reel after receiving the devastating news that our friend Jon Sonkin passed away suddenly yesterday morning. In honor of our friend, who could always be seen with a big smile and a few C4 belts in hand, eventer Ashley Russell has suggested that we ride in Jon’s signature colors of green and white this weekend. Jon was also a fan of shamrocks, so we know he’d smile if he saw a bunch of green shamrocks rocking around cross country. You will be so sorely missed, Jon.
There is a GoFundMe account that has been made in Jon’s honor to assist with his expenses. If you’d like to help out, click here.
John Michael Durr has made quite the name for himself between competing in both eventing and show jumping/hunters, but also course designing. In this new column on the USEA website, JM talks about the importance and keys to designing courses for young event horses. [Designing for YEH]
There are all days when we wonder why we get up every day to do what we do. This timely blog from British eventer Simon Grieve talks about his feelings on what keeps him going on the tough days. [Simon Grieve: Why I Do This Job]
Are you thinking of pulling your horse’s shoes? Before you do, take a look at this helpful article for some key insights on what to bear in mind when going barefoot. [Back to Barefoot]
Thursday Video:
Check out the latest sale video for Pumba, the most bombproof horse in the world. This video was made when a buyer asked if Pumba was alright around llamas…
Like a school of tetra fish in an aquarium. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
It’s a miracle how many horses you can cram into a dressage arena at the same time when everybody knows what they’re doing. Exhibit A: arena familiarization this afternoon here at Lühmuhlen. Europeans spend a solid chunk of their year schooling and competing in small, crowded indoors, and they’ve worked out a solid system of not running into one another in the process.
Check it out. Having witnessed far too many fender-benders in American warm-up arenas (“But there were only two horses in the arena! How did they manage to run into one another?!”), I was suitably impressed. If nothing else the per capita aspect of quality event horses contained within one rectangular patch of real estate makes for a nice screensaver.
And, yes, the soundtrack has been on fire this afternoon. My newest deep life regret is not running out to video Michael Jung schooling fischerRocana FST to Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off.”
(If you were trying to “Where’s Waldo?” an American in the crowd, sorry. Although our U.S. Luhmühlen contingent could surely have held their own in traffic, they came out to school earlier in the afternoon when the atmosphere was a bit more zen.)
Watching top riders school their horses is at least as interesting, if not more so, to me than watching them perform their tests. One of the more untraditional warmups I saw was from 2015 Luhmühlen winner Ingrid Klimke, who was schooling her CIC3* ride Horseware Hale Bob in a very light seat in a deep, relaxed, stretchy shape. It looked like she was playing with a toy slinky out there. Look at his face; what a happy horse! Ingrid also took the early fashion lead with those bright cornflower blue britches — want/need/have to have.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
The competition will stream live on FEI TV starting with dressage on Thursday. Until then …
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