Classic Eventing Nation

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Controlled Chaos During Luhmühlen Arena Familiarization

By on Jun 14, 2017 4:59 pm -

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 …

Luhmühlen Links: Website, Entries, Schedule, Thursday Starting Order, Live Scores, FEI TV, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

The feeling you get after the perfect ride.

It’s why we do what we do.

Fight back against vitamin E deficiencies that can cause muscle soreness and stiffness

Elevate was developed to provide a highly bioavailable source of natural vitamin E to horses. Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, limits the damage caused by everyday oxidative stress. It maintains healthy muscle and nerve functions so horses are more likely to perform better and recover faster after training or competing.

Vitamin E requirements vary from situation to situation. Multiple research studies have shown that vitamin E is often deficient in the diets of horses that do not have access to continual grazing on fresh green grass, or those grazing on winter pasture. Performance horses with demanding workloads, growing horses and seniors can be exposed to increased levels of oxidative stress and therefore require higher levels of vitamin E in their diets. Studies reveal that horses challenged by neurological disease benefit from natural vitamin E supplementation.

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

Five-Strong American Contingent All Clear Through Luhmühlen First Horse Inspection

By on Jun 14, 2017 2:42 pm -

Hallo from Luhmühlen! Photo by Leslie Wylie.

All 48 CCI4* horses passed muster in the first horse inspection at Luhmühlen this afternoon, among them five U.S. pairs. Two horses, Denis Mesples’ Oregon de la Vigne (FRA) and Kirsty Short’s Cossan Lad (GBR), who were sent to the holding box but passed upon reinspection.

The roster is a mixed one, with a sizeable representation of Badminton reroutes and four-star rookies punctuated by some heavy hitters including 2017 Badminton winner Andrew Nicholson (NZL) with Teseo and 2016 Luhmühlen winner Andreas Dibowski (GER) with FRH Butts Avedon.

Although, if the latter had gotten his way, there might be one fewer horse in the field. Bye-bye, Butts! It must be stressful always being the sexiest horse in the class.

The CIC3* competition is definitely one to watch as well, with a star-studded start list that includes a who’s who of Germany’s eventing elite: Michael Jung, Sandra Auffarth, Ingrid Klimke and more. Hannah Sue Burnett has a ride in the CIC3* as well, RF Demeter, and we’ll be following that division closely.

Representing the U.S. in the CCI4*:

Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Ms. Jacqueline Mars, are on a quest for four-star redemption after retiring on cross country at Badminton. They rallied for a top 10 finish in the Houghton Hall CICO3* later that month, laying down a career-best 37.2 dressage test along the way. This pair has a lot of momentum heading into Luhmühlen, and we may well see them at the top of the scoreboard come Sunday.

Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Katherine Coleman and Longwood, a 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by KC Eventing Ltd., are likewise on the mend from an unlucky day on Badminton’s grueling cross country course. Longwood looked no worse for the wear in the Houghton Hall CICO3*, where they finished 21st, and he was feeling his oats on the jog strip today! Katherine shot him a dirty look or two as he dragged her down the runway, but his antics weren’t enough to wipe the smile from Katherine’s face even for a second.

Katherine Coleman and Longwood. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Will Coleman and Obos O’Reilly, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Brian O’Reilly and the Four Star Eventing Group, finished sixth in the 2016 Kentucky Three-Day Event but came up a bit short this year, retiring on a cross country that snuck up on some of the most experienced pairs in the field. They’re no stranger to the top of the scoreboard and we expect them to bounce back in a big way this weekend.

Will Coleman and Obos O’Reilly. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous, a 12-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by Ms. Jacqueline Mars, Robin Parsky, and Phoebe and Michael Manders, are tackling the mare’s first four-star outing. “Kitty” has been on fire this spring, winning the CIC3* at both The Fork and Jersey Fresh. She told EN after The Fork that Kitty was feeling four-star ready, and Jersey sealed the deal on her hunch. Jog photos don’t get any sassier than this. Go get ’em, ladies.

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Sharon White and Cooley On Show, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Louise Walsh and the rider, are on the hunt for the horse’s first four-star completion. They followed up a Rolex retirement with a second place result in the CIC2* at Jersey Fresh, finishing less than a point behind the winner Lauren Kieffer and D.A. Duras. Since Sharon has been competing the horse, they haven’t picked up a cross country jump penalty at an FEI event, excepting Kentucky, and he is a one-or-none show jumper. This pair will have lots of fans cheering for them come Saturday on both sides of the pond!

Sharon White and Cooley On Show. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Looking good, kids! The competition will stream live on FEI TV starting with dressage on Thursday. U.S. dressage ride times:

CIC3* 

Hannah Sue Burnett and RF Demeter: Thursday 10:45 a.m. local time (4:45 a.m. EST)

CCI4*

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)

U.S.A. represent! Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Luhmühlen Links: Website, Entries, Schedule, Thursday Starting Order, Live Scores, FEI TV, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

In Loving Memory of Jon Sonkin

By on Jun 14, 2017 12:26 pm -
Jon Sonkin #c4forjon

Jon with the EN Chinchilla.

We are crushed to report that Jonathon Sonkin, a much-loved member of our eventing community, died early this morning at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., surrounded by his loved ones.

Affectionately known as the “belt guy” through his work with C4 Belts, Jon always had a smile for everyone and was a bright spot in any day at every event he ever attended. Tributes to Jon have been pouring in on social media, and his family would like to thank the eventing community for their support in this difficult time.

“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and prayers you have all sent from near and far. It is a true testament to the kind of person he was. Jonathon loved all of you very much.”

Funeral arrangements have not yet been made, but we will post them here on EN when they have been finalized. Messages of support for his family can be left on CaringBridge. A memorial fund has also been set up on GoFundMe.

We will never forget you, Jon.

What’s in Your Arena? Presented by Attwood: Lucinda Green’s Versatile V

By on Jun 14, 2017 10:41 am -

What’s in Your Arena? is an EN series sponsored by Attwood Equestrian Surfaces in which riders share their favorite jumping exercises. It’s easy to get stuck in a training rut, and we hope this will inspire you with fresh ideas that you can take home and incorporate into your own programs.

If you’ve ridden in or audited a Lucinda Green clinic anytime within the span of the past couple decades, maybe more, you’ve seen this exercise. The point, literally, is teaching horses to stay straight between the aids and hold their line, whether it’s back and forth across the point, jumped as a corner or one rail at a time on an angle.

It’s a Lucinda classic and suitable for horses ranging from green-as-grass to upper-level — and I’ve seen it throw a handful of FEI-level horses for a loop! For the inexperienced ones, the V end can be placed on a wee bucket; for the more advanced horses, it can be hoisted onto a barrel.

I’ve got it set up in my own ring at the moment, and it’s been too useful not to share! Here are a couple videos I found of the obstacle being utilized in myriad ways, both on its own and incorporated into a line of skinnies.

Do try this at home. Go Eventing!

Do you have an exercise to share or is there an eventer you would like to nominate for the “What’s in Your Arena?” series? Email [email protected].

Yoshiaki Oiwa Flying High After Historic Bramham CCI3* Win

By on Jun 14, 2017 8:46 am -

Yoshiaki Oiwa and Calle 44 at Bramham. Photo by Kit Houghton.

Representing the red and white colors of Japan, Yoshiaki Oiwa has worked tirelessly to make his goals of putting his country at the forefront of the international eventing scene a reality. “Yoshi” has now added a new highlight to his CV: CCI3* winner at the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials.

Yoshi is no stranger to success in the eventing world, most recently finishing in the top 10 at Badminton this spring with his Rio mount, The Duke of Cavan, as well as winning the CIC3* at Barroca d’Alva. He now has the most three-star wins of any Japanese rider in history, according to EquiRatings.

Yoshi got his start in eventing at a young age when he competed on a university team and was introduced to cross country. “I started riding around 10 or 11 years old as only a hobby,” Yoshi said. “Around age 14, I started riding every day and enjoying show jumping competitions. My first time eventing was for a university competition, and we had no choice but to do all three disciplines.”

Yoshi began to gravitate towards eventing as his chosen sport. He made his FEI eventing debut in 2002 with Prince Rockaway, with whom he completed his first CCI* in the top 30. His first taste of CCI4* eventing came in 2005 at Badminton with Voyou du Roc. This pair finished 11th that year, adding two seconds of time across country and 12 show jumping faults to their final score.

That began the start of a strong career at the upper levels, from winning the individual gold medal at the 2006 Asian Games with Khanjer Black, to finishing in the top 20 individually at the 2014 World Equestrian Games with Fifth Avenue Fame. Yoshi has also represented Japan at the Olympics twice: in London in 2012 with Noonday de Conde and at Rio in 2016 with The Duke of Cavan, with whom he finished 20th individually.

Yoshi bases in Germany currently and trains with Dirk Schrade, which has paid off in spades as he continues to put himself on the competitive map. This spring, Yoshi also traveled to the UK to train with Pippa Funnell in preparation for Belton and other events on the British spring circuit.

Bramham proved to be a big weekend for Calle 44, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Cristo – Sara IV, by Quebec) owned by Yoshi. It was the gelding’s first CCI3* run, so Yoshi’s intent was for him to have a solid and educational run to set him up for bigger events ahead.

“Cross country was our big challenge,” Yoshi said. “Dressage, we did our best. Of course there is more to improve there. This was his first CCI3* and I wanted to try to make good time. He jumped everything straight out without any hesitation and got more confident as he went.”

Yoshiaki Oiwa takes his victory gallop. Photo by Kit Houghton.

Over a tough show jumping track that shuffled the final standings, Yoshi and Calle 44 delivered one of just five faultless rounds to eventually take their first CCI3* win — and the first Bramham win for a Japanese rider in the history of the event.

Looking to the clear round that sealed the deal, Yoshi said it has been beneficial for Calle 44 to compete in pure show jumping as well, something that Yoshi does regularly. Calle 44 competed at the CSI2* and CSI3* levels for show jumping over the winter, which has lent itself to his show jumping on the eventing circuit.

“I did a few weeks of a show jumping tour before this season starter,” Yoshi said. “Calle is a very careful horse so he needs a lot of confidence. The show jumping tour was just training, so no pressure. Those relaxed rounds really helped both of us.”

Yoshi will now return to Germany to continue his preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in his home country. Looking ahead, it is important to Yoshi that he does what he can to continue putting Japanese riders on the map for equestrian sport.

Japan, as with most Asian countries, is a smaller federation without many opportunities within the country to compete in pure eventing. For 2017, Japan has just 23 riders and 30 horses registered as FEI athletes, and Yoshi says that some eventers have relocated to Europe to have more access to training.

“We only have two or three places to do cross country in Japan,” Yoshi said. “There are four (Japanese) riders based in Europe, and a few more will be coming over. At Bramham, Japan had two riders in the top five [Toshiyuki Tanaka and Talma D Allou finished in fourth place], so we are doing quite good I think. We Japanese riders want to be competitive.”

So it’s all eyes on Tokyo as Yoshi and his compatriots focus on their end goal: to represent their country on the world’s biggest stage right there in Tokyo.

“I have always wanted to tell the Japanese people that our horse sports are great,” Yoshi said, “but I’ve never had the chance. Tokyo will be a chance to show our sports at the top level. I hope that we can make a really competitive team.”

Wednesday News and Notes from SmartPak

By on Jun 14, 2017 12:01 am -

Gabriella Booth and Prairie Delaney, winners of Training A at Larkin Hill. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

One of my favorite things this time of year is seeing photo after photo of people having a great time out at events every single weekend. Now that school is out, all those eventing students and teachers are free to spend their summers as they please, which means the number of riding photos crossing my feed increases exponentially. While I have no problem staying inside in the air conditioning during the worst heat, seeing those pricked ears and happy hearts gives me a daily boost.

Luhmühlen Links: Website, Entries, Schedule, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Great Vista H.T. [Website] [Live Scores]

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

Bucks County Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Full Gallop Farm June H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

Silverwood Farm Spring H.T. [Website]

Feather Creek Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Golden Spike H.T. [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Your Wednesday News & Notes:

If you haven’t tried a Classic Series long format event, you’re missing out. The Heart of the Carolinas event makes the Classic Series the main focus of their May event, running a T3D, N3D, BN3D. This years winners traveled as far as Georgia and Virginia to compete at this growing event. [The USEA Classic Series is the Backbone]

The latest episode of the Eventing Podcast went live this morning reviewing an influential weekend at Bramham and previewing the next CCI4* of the season at Luhmühlen. There is a Horseware Rambo Fly Buster Vamoose Fly Sheet up for grabs for the listener who correctly predicts the winner! Follow the Eventing Podcast Facebook page for the contest announcement. [Bramham Review & Luhmühlen Preview Show]

I grew up absolutely idolizing Rachel Weisz after her role in The Mummy, and it turns out she can ride too. That doesn’t mean that she doesn’t have her own scary riding moments though, as a recent incident while filming My Cousin Rachel shows. The stallion she was riding had been trained how to ‘die’ after being on the set of Game of Thrones, and Rachel accidentally cued him to ‘die’ in mid-gallop, resulting in an unplanned controlled fall while riding sidesaddle. [The Horse I Rode was Trained to Die]

The Bromont streaking tradition is back. Five years ago, Jon started a tradition for the winners of the CCI3* at Bromont by streaking in front of the famous Bromont sign. Sadly, this tradition has not been strictly upheld…until now. Jordan Linstedt bravely picks up the torch for a new generation of Bromont winners. Warning: This video is not very mildly not safe for work. [You Only Live Once]

SmartPak Product of the Day: I talk a lot about flies and fly control, and it’s because I always seem to guess wrong on what I do to control them for my boys. I’ve finally resorted to just buying all the options under the sun and handing them barn, trusting them to do what’s best when it’s best. These fly boots will help keep the stomping to a minimum on days when the bugs are more unbearable than the heat. [SmartPak]

Tuesday Video from SpectraVET: The Perfect Luhmühlen Hype Video

By on Jun 13, 2017 5:00 pm -

Because we all love a good hype video, this one is perfect to get us all ready for the start of competition at Luhmühlen this weekend. We’ll be seeing five American pairs competing in the CCI4* as well as one American in the CIC3* (Hannah Sue Burnett and RF Demeter). We will also see the reigning Rolex champions, Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST, who will contest the CIC3*.

Leslie Wylie will be our eyes on the ground this weekend, so stay tuned for much, much more from Turniergesellschaft Luhmühlen.

Turniergesellschaft Luhmühlen: [Website][Entries][Schedule]

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: Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds

By on Jun 13, 2017 3:45 pm -

Each year there are many Thoroughbreds at Finger Lakes Race Track in Western New York who are ready to end their racing careers and find good new non-racing homes. Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable tax exempt not-for-profit corporation that works with trainers at the track and with people interested in acquiring an OTTB to help the retiring race horses find ideal new homes.

Here are three we’d love to see sprinting out of a startbox someday!

Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Lucci the Lion (Lion Heart – Precious Queenie, by Wild Zone ): 2010 15.3-hand New York bred stallion

This sweet boy is so deserving of a forever home where he will be treated like royalty. Lucci the Lion was a $65,000 2-year-old, so someone saw quality in him at a young age. He has raced in various tracks along the east coast and even has a win at Saratoga. He earned over $171,000 in his 57 starts with five firsts, 10 seconds and nine thirds. His trainer is ready for him to retire happily into a new career.

Lucci the Lion stood perfectly quiet for his photo shoot despite horses acting quite excitedly around him. His trainer speaks minimal English, so it was difficult to get lots of details on him, but another trainer in the shed row reported that Lucci is a barn favorite. His ankle was recently blistered so FLF will try to get a video at a later date. Gelding surgeries are relatively cheap and easy and well worth the investment. Finger Lakes Finest has a gelding incentive fund for Finger Lakes horses going to approved homes.

View Lucci the Lion on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Spirit of Musashi (Lion Heart – Precious Queenie, by Wild Zone ): 2013 18.1-hand New York bred gelding

This BIG boy is affectionately known as “Moose,” and he really is that big! His owner says he measured him with a stick, and he is 6’1″ at the withers. He described Moose as still maturing, physically and mentally, and as a playful guy who is no trouble to handle despite his size.

Moose is lightly raced, with only five starts, and his owner says he is very sound, and he thinks that when he figures out the racing game he has potential to be a good racehorse. But he also knows that with his huge size, strong bone and lofty movement, he has huge potential as a sport horse, for jumping or dressage. So he is open to serious offers from serious experienced homes who are in a position to develop the potential of this big young horse. He wants to recoup his investment from any resale of Moose to a sport horse career, so serious offers only please.

Moose was very well behaved for his photo session, and for his jog video he showed lofty movement with suspension and a huge stride. FLF watched the video of his first race, where he almost won, and observed that huge stride in action, with a lofty ground covering gallop that should eat up the cross country course, but it also has the rhythm and balance for dressage. Moose is named after a famous Japanese woodcut print of a Samurai warrior. He is a son of Bellamy Road, who is from the Danzig sire line and is known for getting good brained, athletic horses who have shown jumping ability. Cozzene, In Reality, Majestic Prince, Damascus, Northern Jove and Northern Dancer are other illustrious sires well known to the sport horse world in his pedigree.

View Spirit of Musashi on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds. 

Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Secret Dixie Dance (Freefourinternet – Secret Gold, by Strike the Gold ): 2009 16.1-hand Pennsylvania-bred mare

With her uphill balanced build, strong shoulder, kind eye, clean legs and nice movement, Secret Dixie Dance is a diamond in the rough with great potential for many disciplines. Look past her not yet shed-out winter coat, and focus on how great she can look when filled out and a top line developed.

She is very lightly raced, with only 11 starts and one win, so there’s little wear and tear on her. She has spent most of her time hanging out at her owner’s farm, and she has now let her trainer know that the track life is no longer what she wants. He said that she is excellent to handle and work with around the barn and in morning training, but she hates the starting gate. In a recent race, she got startled while loaded in the gate, and got some superficial scrapes on her hind legs that are healing well — but now she definitely wants nothing more to do with the gate.

So it’s time to let her find a new career. She posed perfectly for her photos, jogged quietly showing good balance, and enjoyed the attention. FLF also watched the video of her winning race and observed a fluid balanced gallop with a flat kneed reach. With her nice movement and build, they can see her doing well in lower level eventing, hunter paces, the show hunter ring, or as an all-around fun trail and pleasure horse.

View Secret Dixie Dance on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

 

Marilyn Little and Clearwater Finish 3rd in $216,000 Upperville CSI4*

By on Jun 13, 2017 2:29 pm -

Marilyn Little and Clearwater. Photo by Rebecca Walton/Phelps Sports.

Marilyn Little is one of five American riders competing at Luhmühlen CCI4* in Germany, which starts tomorrow with the first inspection, and she’s had a busy lead-up to the competition at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show in Virginia.

On Sunday she piloted Karen O’Connor’s Clearwater to a third-place finish in the $216,000 Upperville Jumper Classic CSI4*, delivering a time of 47.19 seconds in the 12-horse jump off. Tracy Fenney and Reve Du Paradis won on a time of 46.33 seconds, with Paul O’Shea and Skara Glen’s Presence in second on 46.42 seconds.

RF Scandalous, who will make her CCI4* debut at Luhmühlen, landed safely in Germany last week, and you can learn more about Marilyn’s preparation leading up to the event in this video she posted today on her Facebook page.

In addition to Marilyn and RF Scandalous, we also have four other American combinations competing in the Luhmühlen CCI4*: Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot, Will Coleman and OBOS O’Reilly, Sharon White and Cooley On Show, and Katherine Coleman and Longwood. Go Team USA!

Leslie Wylie will be your boots on the ground at Luhmühlen, so keep it locked on EN for everything you need to know. The competition will stream live on FEI TV starting with dressage on Thursday. Go Eventing.

Luhmühlen Links: Website, Entries, Schedule, Live Scores, FEI TV

Dempsey Euthanized Following Postoperative Complications

By on Jun 13, 2017 11:58 am -

Tamie Smith and Dempsey at Boekelo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

We are heartbroken to report that the West Coast Dempsey Syndicate’s Dempsey was euthanized yesterday following postoperative complications while in recovery at the University of Montreal Veterinary Hospital.

The 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood underwent surgery Monday morning to repair a fractured ulna, which he sustained in a fall with Tamie Smith at fence 13B, a brush wedge on the CCI3* cross country course at the Bromont Three-Day Event in Quebec, Canada.

While the surgery was successful with a strong prognosis for a full recovery, Dempsey suffered complications in recovery that would not have allowed him to have a proper quality of life.

“I am absolutely devastated. Dempsey lived life to the fullest every day and I feel incredibly lucky to have ridden him. He was one of the most talented horses I have ever come across and from the first moment I jumped him I knew I had to have him, a reality made possible thanks to the incredible members of the West Coast Dempsey Syndicate LLC,” Tamie said.

“Our barn will certainly never be the same without his sense of humor and zest for life, and we will miss him more than I can comprehend.”

Tamie and Dempsey finished second at the Rebecca Farm CIC3* last year before heading overseas to complete the Blenheim CIC3* and Boekelo CCI3O*. This season they also had top-10 finishes at the Galway Downs CIC3* and most recently the Jersey Fresh CIC3*.

The EN team extends our deepest condolences to Tamie, super groom Shannon McCormick, the members of the West Coast Dempsey Syndicate, and all who knew and loved this promising horse — a bright star gone out too soon. Rest in peace, Dempsey.

[Dempsey Euthanized Following Postoperative Complications]