Classic Eventing Nation

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]

Great Britain Announces Team for Nations Cup at Great Meadow

By on Jun 13, 2017 7:43 am -

Ben Hobday and Mulrys Error. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

North America’s only FEI Nations Cup leg is fast approaching at Great Meadow, which will once again host an exciting weekend of competition July 7-9 in The Plains, Virginia. Great Britain announced this morning which horses and riders will cross the pond to compete.

Matthew Heath, 34, from Oxfordshire, riding his own and Hazel Livesey’s One of a Kind II

Ben Hobday, 29, from Northumberland, with Sallie Ryle’s Mulrys Error

Nicky Roncoroni, 38, from Gloucestershire, and Lorna McWilliam and Janey Roncoroni’s Watts Burn

James Sommerville, 29, from North Yorkshire, on his own and Jennifer Sommerville’s Talent

American-based Brit Justine Dutton will fill the reserve team slot with Kathleen Cuca’s Jak My Style.

Matthew, Ben and James will all make their senior team debut for Team GB alongside Nicky, who rode on the team that finished second in the Nations Cup earlier this month at Tattersalls in Ireland.

After three legs of the 2017 Nations Cup series, Britain currently holds first place in the overall standings with 270 points thanks to finishing second in each leg so far. Germany sits second on 200 points, with France in third on 100 points.

Team USA is tied for fourth place on 80 points with Ireland and Sweden after the team of Hannah Sue Burnett, Caroline Martin and Katherine Coleman finished third at Houghton Hall. Click here to view the series leaderboard.

The Nations Cup series next heads to Wiener Neustadt in Austria for the fourth leg June 30-July 2. The Nations Cup schedule for the rest of the season is:

CICO 3* Wiener Neustadt (AUT) 30 June – 2 July 2017
CICO 3* The Plains (USA) 8 – 9 July 2017
CICO 3* Aachen (GER) 19 – 23 July 2017
CICO 3* Le Haras du Pin (FRA) 10-13 August 2017
CICO 3* Waregem (BEL) 22 – 24 September 2017
CCIO 3* Boekelo (NED) 5 – 8 October 2017

The competition at Great Meadow begins Friday, July 7 with the first horse inspection at 10 a.m. EST and dressage starting at 5 p.m. EST. Dressage will resume Saturday, July 8 at 8 a.m. EST, with show jumping at 5 p.m. EST. Cross country starts at 9:30 a.m. EST Sunday, July 9.

Tickets for Great Meadow are available for sale at this link.

Great Meadow: Website, Schedule, Tickets

Tuesday News & Notes from Cavalor

By on Jun 13, 2017 12:01 am -

Always Team Lee Lee! Photo via Fly Pretty Designs.

As always, the eventing community continues to rally around its own, and the ongoing support for Lee Lee Jones, Phillip Dutton’s stepdaughter who was injured last winter in a riding accident, has been nothing short of incredible. In the latest venture to support Team Lee Lee, Fly PRetty Designs is now offering these awesome t-shirts to benefit the cause. You can find hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts and more to benefit Lee Lee here. Be sure to search for #teamleelee on the site to bring up all of the options. 50% of the proceeds from sales will be going to Lee Lee’s benefit. Many thanks to Fly Pretty Designs for their generosity!

Events Opening This Week:

Stoneleigh-Burnham Summer H.T (MA, A-1), Horse Park of New Jersey Horse Trials II (NJ, A-2), Cobblestone Farms H.T. (MI, A-8), Hunt Club Farms H.T. (VA, A-2)

Events Closing Today:

Horse Park of New Jersey H.T. I (NJ, A-2), South Farm H.T. (OH, A-8), Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (GA, A-3)

News & Notes:

Ingrid Klimke has announced the retirement of her four-star partner, SAP Escada FRH. Escada partnered with Ingrid for her first career CCI4* win a Luhmühlen in 2015 and was competing at the Event Riders Masters at Wiesbaden earlier this month when she aggravated an old injury. Ingrid says Escada will likely now enjoy retirement as a mother — we can’t wait to see that baby! [Escada to Retire]

Do you have a Future Event Horse prospect? You won’t want to miss these jump chute clinic opportunities presented by the USEA. There are many learning opportunities available during these clinics, even if you decide to just attend as an auditor, so be sure to check them out for a clinic near you. [USEA Offers FEH Jump Chute Clinics]

Eventers aren’t the only ones with sticky britches. Check out an awesome save made by hunter/jumper rider Hunter Holloway during the $216,000 Horseware Grand Prix at Tryon International this weekend and her comments afterward. [Hunter Holloway Saves the Day]

Tuesday Video:

Here is some action from Luhmühlen in the form of an Ingrid Klimke helmet cam aboard Escada FRH:

Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: Lost Stirrups, Patch’s Comeback & Tapwrit’s Big Belmont Win

By on Jun 12, 2017 6:00 pm -

Screenshot from NYRA video.

I got zero return on the $5 online bet I put down on Tapwrit in the Kentucky Derby. I’m a sucker for babies of Tapit, the hunky grey stallion whose $300,000 stud fee once topped HN’s Valentine’s Day roster of Thoroughbred sires ranging from “cheap box of chocolates” to “nice dinner at a steakhouse” to “diamond ring and a tiara.” And you thought a dozen roses were expensive … equine courtship in the racing world ain’t cheap!

Tapit (Pulpit – Tap Your Heels, by Unbridled ) has produced a number of successful stakes winners, including last year’s surprise Belmont winner Creator (Tapit – Morena (PER), by Privately Held). Watching Tapwrit (Tapit – Appealing Zophie, by Successful Appeal) workout in the leadup to the Derby, I swooned over his liquid gallop, chill expression and pewter coat, and was bummed when he finished sixth.

Turns out I just put my money on the wrong race! After skipping the Preakness to rest and train, Tapwrit entered the starting gate at the 2017 Belmont Stakes at 5-1 odds, with Jose Oritz in the irons. They stalked the leaders until the stretch, then swept past favorite Irish War Cry, who led the majority of the race, on the for the win. Watch for the turboboosters to activate at around 2:26 on the video replay!

Tapwrit’s winning time for 1 1/2 miles was 2:30.02.

Lots of people picked one-eyed Patch, trained by Todd Pletcher and Tyler Gaffalione, as their Derby underdog favorite. He drew the outside post position, with his blind eye facing the field, and finished near the back of the pack. The poor horse, who can’t seem to get a break, drew the far outside post again in the Belmont, but this time made a big comeback to finish third. Go Patch!

Another nailbiting moment came when Hollywood Handsome clipped heels with the horse in front of him in the first turn. He almost went down, and jockey Florent Geroux lost his stirrups, eventually managing to guide the horse to the outside until he could be stopped. Both horse and rider are fine, excepting a cut the horse sustained behind its right knee that had to be closed with staples.

HN Belmont reader pick Lookin at Lee finished seventh.

Belmont Stakes Order of Finish

1. Tapwrit

2. Irish War Cry

3. Patch

4. Gormley

5. Senior Investment

6. Twisted Tom

7. Lookin At Lee

8. Meantime

9. J Boys Echo

10. Multiplier

11. Hollywood Handsome (DNF)

12. Epicharis (SCR)

Who Jumped It Best? Bromont CCI* Division

By on Jun 12, 2017 4:00 pm -

When I hike out on to the cross country course at Bromont, my mission is to get positioned for at least a few fences with a lovely mountain backdrop. The typically large CCI* division affords me the time to scope out the best spot.

This ramped table at the top of the course by the VIP tent turned out to be one of my favorite photo locations on cross country day this year.

So let’s play! Which CCI* horse and rider at the 2017 Pedigree Bromont CCI Three-Day Event present the best overall picture? Cast your vote in the poll at the bottom of this post.

(There is something particularly impressive about one rider in this edition of WJIB. Can you spot the anomaly?)

Bromont Links: Website, Final Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Victoria Garland and FE Capricino. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Daniel Clasing and MW Gangster’s Game. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Alexa Gartenberg and Patras VR. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Meg Kepferle and Anakin. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Sophia Middlebrook and South Park. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Sloane Pierpont and Indie. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Kelli Temple and Metallica. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Valerie Vizcarrondo and Favian. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Equestrian Sport Approved for 2024 Olympics, Format Changes Given All Clear for 2020

By on Jun 12, 2017 1:12 pm -

Photo: Richard Juilliart/FEI.

Efforts to maintain equestrian sport’s Olympic appeal and relevance have been given a nod of approval by the International Olympic Committee. On Friday the IOC confirmed that equestrian sport will remain in the Olympic program for the 2024 Games and approved the Olympic formats submitted by the FEI for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

FEI President Ingmar De Vos responded, “The IOC’s confirmation of equestrian on the Olympic programme for the 2024 Games and approval of the new formats for Tokyo 2020 is a direct acknowledgment of our willingness to adapt and modernise our sport, so all the work to drive change and increase universality has been worthwhile.

The FEI voted in support of sweeping Olympic format changes at last year’s FEI General Assembly in Tokyo last November. Most notably, these include a proposal to limit teams to three horse/athlete combinations per nation with no drop score. Under the newly approved format, the active reserve can be substituted into the competition at the beginning of any phase of competition.

An outline of the changes as applied to eventing:

  • Teams of three horse/athlete combinations per nation, no drop score
  • One reserve combination per team will be allowed. The reserve combination is an important element of the proposal in order to preserve horse welfare. If a reserve combination is substituted, it will incur a penalty for the team. The exact penalty will be finalised in the Olympic Regulations
  • Maximum of two individuals per nation not represented by a team
  • Order of tests to remain unchanged (1st Dressage; 2nd Cross Country; 3rd Jumping Team; 4th Jumping Individual)
  • Olympic Eventing to take place over three days (Dressage test reduced to one day)
  • Technical level of the three tests to be defined as the “Olympic level”: Dressage and Jumping 4*; Cross Country: 10-minute optimum time, 45 jumping efforts, and 3* technical difficulty
  • Qualification of athletes/horses to be achieved on the same Cross Country technical level to ensure implementation of the recommendations of the FEI Independent Audit in Eventing
  • For the purpose of the Team classification only: any horse/athlete combinations not completing a test can continue to the next test if accepted as fit to compete at the relevant Horse Inspection
  • For the purpose of the Team classification only: penalties for the non-completion of a test for any reason, Dressage =100 points, Cross Country = 150, Jumping = 100
  • Rules for the Individual event remain unchanged

“Approval of the formats for Tokyo means that we can now increase the number of flags in equestrian sport in line with the Agenda 2020 recommendations,” said De Vos. “With more than 30,000 athletes registered to compete in our three Olympic disciplines – and the numbers are growing every year – our new formats mean that athletes from more countries than ever before will now have the opportunity of one day realising their dream of representing their country at the Olympic Games.

“It wasn’t easy for our community to make such drastic changes to our Olympic formats, but the National Federations knew the importance of this decision and ultimately supported the proposed changes. Their willingness to embrace this change is without any doubt the reason we have got this fantastic news from the IOC today.”

[FEI President welcomes IOC confirmation of equestrian sport in 2024 Olympic programme and approval of Tokyo 2020 formats]

 

Weekend Instagram Roundup: Riders of the Storm at Roebke’s Run

By on Jun 12, 2017 11:00 am -

From doomsday-style storms to temps in the 90s, Roebke’s Run CCI/CIC and H.T. in Minnesota was a true test of the elements!

Congrats to all competitors, including winners of the FEI divisions: Jacob Fletcher and Bacardi W in the CCI2*; Medigan Murphy and Wildebrandt in the CCI*, Lily Geelan and Luksor in the CIC2*, and Lisa Borgia and Laurelin and in the CIC*. Check out full results here.

Here are a few of your photos from the weekend, starting with a few postcards from the eye of the storm!

A post shared by Jessica C (@jessica_number5) on

You guys #crazyweather

A post shared by Kjirsten Lee (@equestrianesquire) on

Just hanging out in a stall during a thunderstorm ⛈ Stay safe ponies!! #horseshow #unpredictable

A post shared by Kjirsten Lee (@equestrianesquire) on

So uhhh this is happening and we are locked in a stall staying safe

A post shared by Madison Kupper (@maddykupper) on

Glad it blew over and everyone stayed safe. And then the sun came out, and all was well!

I love my job

A post shared by beth barritt (@beth.barritt) on

Proud coach moment!!! Fantastic!! A 10 on the halt and salute!! You’ve earned it Annika! #teamgreen

A post shared by meaghan_marinovich (@meaghan_marinovich) on

Enjoying the sunset with my boy before we run XC tomorrow. #WaywardSon

A post shared by Lexi Marie (@leximarie.142) on

Ethel baby getting better and better in the sandbox #ottbsofinstagram #focusishard #adastraeventing

A post shared by Allie A (@adastraeventing) on

What a rockstar Today was a true test of the elements #HESeventing #roebkesrun credit: @heather_koch6

A post shared by Caitlin Maksym (@cait2620) on

We are game on for that moveup! Training level here we come! #tailswish #WRFInoubliable #WRF #biggerisbetter

A post shared by Edith Lee (@el.eventing) on

Both horses passed the first horse inspection!

A post shared by Jacob Fletcher (@sugadaddyfletch) on

This horse has my whole heart! #duckingawesome #ottb @canterillinois PC: Pat Schmidt

A post shared by Leah Lang-Gluscic (@llgeventing) on

Thank you Schweiss family and all the wonderful volunteers for a great show weekend! #tornadosurvivors

A post shared by Lexi Marie (@leximarie.142) on

Go Eventing.

William Micklem: Throw Your Heart Over First

By on Jun 12, 2017 9:13 am -

Photo courtesy of Alisha Mullen

“William, you always said “throw your heart over first” when I was most nervous, which was usually when we were jumping or warming up for the cross country. It always helped me be positive and trust in what we were capable of.” — Alisha Mullen

Alisha’s huge smile was eye catching … and proud. Proud to be at the Pony Club cross country competition, proud of her immaculate tack, and proud of her immaculately groomed grey pony. I had helped her do a little show jumping earlier in the year and been very impressed by her positivity and positional balance.

But as I watched her warm up for the cross country over the two practice logs I knew that she was in trouble. Her pony did not think this was a good idea! So it was not a surprise when they stopped at the first fence and were eliminated at fence two.

I couldn’t bear it. I knew she didn’t own this pony and could not have one of her own, but surely there was a horse somewhere she could borrow to allow her to fulfill her dream of becoming a Pony Club tetrathlete (riding, running, swimming and shooting). Alisha was not blessed with deep pockets, or long legs, or even great eyesight, or indeed any exceptional physical talents, but she was blessed with the most powerful attribute of all, a great attitude, and therefore deserved some help and generosity.

Generosity makes the world go around

Timing is everything and Alisha needed help urgently … someone to ‘pay it forward’ and come to her rescue. ‘Paying it forward’ is a hugely powerful strategy that is often dismissed as an altruistic folly, but in my opinion it is one of the best investments you can make in a world where no one can stand alone and team work is essential to make the most of our lives.

It creates a win-win situation, with both recipient and giver benefiting at different times. Being generous, being the good Samaritan, can make a huge difference to those in need, as I am pleased to say it did for Alisha. She was found a horse, Duchess, who helped her become not only a tetrathlete but also a successful show jumping and eventing team member for her Pony Club.

Alisha and Duchess. Photo by Tara Mullen.

But generosity and positivity needs to come from another direction as well, from the performer themselves. A successful performer must recognise what they do well and then work from what they do well. It is destructive focusing on what can’t be done and how much worse one is in comparison with the very best.

Alisha explains it well: “I just visualise crossing the finish line knowing I’ve put 100% effort into getting there, regardless of how the competition might go or how high or far down the ranking list I am. Everyone always wants to hear about how you want to be the best of everyone and be number one, but I perform my best when I’m just trying to be the best I can be and not comparing myself to anyone else. Winning to me is a personal best.”

This is a ‘soft’ attitude I am often told. If you don’t aim to be the best you will never be competitive. Personal bests are for the losers not the winners, they say. But this is totally wrong, because even at the Olympics it is true that a new world record is simply a new personal best for one athlete, and our fundamental challenge will always be how to improve ourselves and make the most of ourselves. This is just as true for gold medallists as it is for novice riders.

Follow your heart

Of course there is another ‘heart’ phrase that is crucial to success in the long term. It is ‘follow your heart’. As they say, if you love what you’re doing you’ll never have to work for another day in your life. So many are put off doing their chosen sport because they are told they cannot be competitive, but if you love your sport then you should keep doing it and keep enjoying it. Then there will almost certainly be huge payoffs in terms of both mental and physical health. As Alisha says: “I’m doing what I love.”

Performers may well be inspired by the great performers and learn from great performers but we have to set our own targets and run our own race to a new personal best … and that is much more likely if we enjoy the whole process and focus on the process rather than winning. It certainly reduces competition nerves and stress, something that so often paralyses performers in all sports.

The key point is that if you fear failing, losing and rejection you will also fear making a mistake. You will see the competition as a threat, as something that is not a pleasant experience and not something you want to keep doing. This is an attitude that leads to a dead end and being a spectator rather than participating.

Whereas if you are focussed on your own performance and seeking a personal best you simply see the competition as a challenge, and a positive opportunity that will be good to repeat. This is a winning attitude that leads to people doing more with their lives. This has been Alisha’s philosophy and as a result she just keeps getting better and doing more. “I always dreamed of doing the things I do now and all the people I’ve met along the way have helped me and realised that I can always do more and be more.

Heart

Although many racehorses probably do have a natural wish to reach the front of a group of horses, and therefore ‘win’, it is lucky that sport horses do not have an understanding of winning and losing in the same way as humans. If they did they might go into a big sulk or give up having been embarrassed to see their name half way down the score board!

But I believe horses can enjoy the process of training and competing. Some would say this is anthropomorphism, and that the idea of horses enjoying work is ridiculous. But as horses prick their ears and head out enthusiastically for a hack, or squeal and give a little buck after jumping, or charge along out hunting, it is difficult to agree with this opinion. Certainly it is possible to kill the enthusiasm and desire to go forwards in most horses with poor training, particularly with mechanical dressage training, but I still believe in the concept and possibility of producing happy athletes. (Click to read my series on happiness.)

Of course some horses have more ‘heart’ than others, but what does this mean? A pretty good definition is ‘having the courage and desire to keep going forward and persist despite challenges’. A ‘big heart’ is what most riders look for as part of the personality package, particularly with event horses. It was exactly this that was highlighted by the top three riders at Kentucky this year at their final press conference, when asked about the qualities they looked for in an event horse.

“He’s got the heart of a lion,” said Phillip Dutton about the 18-year-oldo Mr Medicott. This was echoed by Zara Tindall, “High Kingdom has all the qualities I’d love to find again in a horse. He’s a great galloper, a really fantastic jumper, and he’s got all the heart you could ever want in a horse.” While Maxime Livio simply said, “You need a horse with an incredible heart that will just keep giving.”

The same applies to humans. To make the most of yourself you need ‘heart’, ‘having the courage and desire to keep going forward and persist despite challenges’. It is probably the most fundamental requirement of all performers. Therefore all coaches, parents and supporters need to understand this and encourage and reward this attitude of mind rather than just reward ‘winning’.

Live now!

And Alisha? ‘Live now!’ continues to be her motto, and she has continued to be positive and relish the possibilities of every new day. She knows that extraordinary things are possible for ordinary people, and she knows that those with a great attitude will always be more successful than the more talented who have a poor attitude.

She used the skills and fitness gained in tetrathlon to start competing in pentathlon (riding, running, fencing, swimming, and shooting) and was chosen to join the National youth squad, and she did well in her final school examinations.

Her success in these areas led to her winning an Ad Astra Elite Athlete scholarship at University College Dublin (UCD), a programme designed to maximize the potential of UCD athletes in both their sporting and academic endeavors. A rare accolade … and it all started when someone paid it forward with the loan of a horse and said ‘throw your heart over first’.

So on her 21st birthday she was given the perfect gift, the carving shown in the picture above, showing the five pentathlon sports with the inscription “throw your heart over first.” It was what my father often said to me and it will be what Alisha says to other young pentathletes in years to come.

So another story to share, and Alisha’s story is worthy of a big audience because she is a wonderful role model. It is a heart-warming story, a story of how a young girl threw her heart over first, followed her heart, and showed great heart as she overcame challenges. As a result she found a route that she loved and a level of achievement that is exceptional. There are others who could also throw their hearts over first and do exceptional things.

Monday News & Notes from Fleeceworks

By on Jun 12, 2017 12:01 am -

Not to be forgotten in all of the excitement that was Bromont and Bramham this weekend, several other events also ran all over the country, including Roebke’s Run in Minnesota. You might not think of Minnesota as an eventing hub, but Roebke’s Run is truly a special venue with a lot to offer. Many congratulations are in order for the FEI winners (and all of the winners!) at Roebke’s this weekend: in the CCI2*, Jacob Fletcher and Bacardi W, in the CCI* Medigan Murphy and Wildebrandt, in the CIC2* Lily Geelan and Luksor and in the CIC* Lisa Borgia and Laurelin.

And how pretty are the FEI ribbons? Pictured above are Daniel Sarango and Katarina van de Heffink, who finished second in the CCI*, their first CCI completion together. Many congratulations!

Weekend Results:

Bromont Links: Website, Final Scores, EN’s Coverage

Bramham Links: Website, Final Scores, EN’s Coverage

Larkin Hill H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]

Valinor Farm H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]

Plantation Field June H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]

The Middleburg H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]

River Glen H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]

Roebke’s Run CCI/CIC & H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]

Queeny Park H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]

Copper Meadows H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]

Camelot Equestrian Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]

Aspen Farms H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]

Derbyshire Farms H.T. [Final Scores]

News & Notes:

Have you ever wondered about the “proper” application of fly spray? Now that we are fully in fly spray season, it’s beneficial to know if you’re making any common mistakes when it comes to getting rid of flies. [Common Fly Spray Mistakes]

Many people achieved their qualifications for AECs this weekend (congratulations!), so it’s about that time to really start getting pumped for an exciting weekend. In the latest USEA podcast, organizer Robert Kellerhouse sits down with two winners from 2016, Doug Payne and Ryan Wood to preview AEC week in Tryon, North Carolina. [USEA Podcast: AEC Preview]

Did you know that Yoshiaki Oiwa is the first Japanese rider to capture the win at Bramham International? Hear what Yoshiaki had to say about the biggest win of his career after picking up the CCI3* win yesterday at Bramham. [Historic Win at Bramham]

Monday Video:

Watch some of Jordan Linstedt and RevitaVet Capato’s cross country from their winning weekend at Bromont! You can find many, many more Bromont videos here from a very busy David Frechette!

Springer, Martin, Wilks Are Winners at Bromont

By on Jun 11, 2017 7:40 pm -

Allison Springer and Lord Willing. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

It was a very busy, blustery day at the 2017 Pedigree Bromont CCI Three-Day Event. Prior to this afternoon’s CCI3* finale, the CCI*, CIC2* and CCI2* divisions all show jumped over Marc Donovan’s course.

Allison Springer and Lord Willing have added another win to this talented young horse’s FEI record. From their dressage score of 37.8, they added 4.4 cross country time penalties and one rail in show jumping today to finish on top in the CCI2* with a 46.2.

“It was my goal to come here and have a really good dressage test and try to finish on that score. I’m disappointed I didn’t do that but pretty thrilled of course with the win and how confident and fun he was to ride,” Allison said of the 9-year-old Holsteiner owned by the Lord Willing Syndicate.

She said “Liam” felt great on cross country but there were a few places she felt like she could have been more efficient in the turns. Today’s rail was the result of a moment of distraction.

“I can certainly flirt with some Advanced maybe this next season,” she said. “Derek di Grazia is just a wonderful course designer and I think it’s really confidence-building for all the horses. I know I have such a better horse coming out of the weekend.”

Allison’s longtime four-star partner Arthur retired at Rolex this year, but she’s staying busy with a lovely group of up-and-coming youngsters. “I think my best thing is producing them from the get go. I think you build such a good partnership down the line.”

“It’s neat to have the stack of horses that you can practice competing well and riding well. I want to see my dreams come true and I’m not getting any younger!” Allison laughed.

“You definitely are better with age in this sport. It comes down to so much wisdom and being relaxed and happy about competing and that comes with mileage. I’m feeling pretty blessed with the group of people around me and my family and friends and the horses I have. And my dog.”

Bobby Meyerhoff and Rascal Rap. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Will Coleman and the Off the Record Syndicate’s Off the Record were one of just two pairs in the CCI2* division to finish on their dressage score. Adding no additional penalties to the initial score of 46.9 put them in second place overall in the 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse’s first CCI2*.

Coming third was Bobby Meyerhoff and Diane Kearney’s 9-year-old Oldenburg Rascal Rap. They added 5.2 time penalties on cross country yesterday for a final score of 49.1.

“I was really pleased with the dressage. It was our best test to date,” Bobby said. “On cross country I knew he could do the job; I know he can jump all the jumps. The horse has loads of scope and a huge gallop and plenty of stamina. The hard thing about him is he’s a big horse with a huge step and it takes a lot to package him together.

“Show jumping was amazing. He’s never had a clear round at this level. For him to pull off a clear today was a super reward because it’s been a lot of practice and a lot of hard work.”

The horse actually came to Bobby’s barn to sell as a show hunter, but he was not quiet enough for that job. Bobby’s wife Danica show jumped him some but the horse found his niche in eventing. “He’s really matured and he’s learning. That’s what makes it so fun.”

Finishing fourth in the division was Boyd Martin and the Ray Price Syndicate’s Ray Price, adding just one rail to their score to finish on 50.5. Cornelia Dorr and her own Sir Patico MH round out the top five on 56.8.

Boyd Martin and On Cue Jump Fault-Free to Win the CIC2*

Boyd Martin and On Cue. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Boyd Martin moved into the lead in the CIC2* with Christine Turner’s On Cue after a fast and clear cross country round yesterday. They left all the rails up today to finish on their dressage core of 42.7 for the win. Boyd began working with the 11-year-old Anglo mare earlier this year and he feels, especially after this competition, that she is one for the future.

“She oozes with class, is very elegant on the flat, brave cross country and has a good jump,” he said. “I think she’s really special and I hope I can keep going with her.”

There were only four other fault-free cross country rounds in the CIC2* besides Boyd and On Cue — Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue D’Argouges, Will Coleman and Don Dante, Rebecca Braitling and Walterstown Don, and Bobby Meyerhoff and Fortuna.

Boyd described Bromont as one of the best three-day events in North America.

“Derek di Grazia builds a wickedly awesome track. I’ve ridden around three-stars all over the world and this is bigger than Boekelo and felt bigger than Luhmuhlen CCI4* to be honest. I think any horse that runs well in the two-star and three-star here you know you’ve got a proper horse that can cope with four-star.”

“It’s very hard to evaluate how gritty your horse is. There’s only a couple times a year you really make them tired and experience if they keep trying when they’re tired and when there is question after question. It’s a bit of an unknown sometimes. It’s important to come and face this type of challenge to see if you have one that digs deep and keeps fighting.”

Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue D’Argouges. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue D’Argouges have finished in second place in an FEI division at Bromont now three years in a row. They have also won a Stuart Horne Canadian Championship Award for two consecutive years. Colleen and the 13-year-old  Selle Français earned a personal best in dressage and finished on that score of 43.3 after two clear jumping rounds.

“This event is special to me because it’s my hometown,” Colleen said. “I love being here and competing here and doing well in front of friends and family. It’s a good aura. I’m honored to be able to represent Canada and win the Championship.”

Colleen rode Qorry for several years before his owner Peter Barry began competing him earlier this season. Sadly Peter suffered a stroke during the Carolina International in March and Qorry came back to Colleen while Peter recovers. We were thrilled to see Peter at Bromont watching the competition this weekend.

“Peter’s happy to see him go with me since he can’t be the one on him. I’m very happy to be back with Qorry. He’s a great partner and we get along well.”

Clayton Fredericks and FE Bowman. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Clayton Fredericks had a busy time riding three in the CIC2* and finished with two of them in the top five. Clayton led after dressage with FE Bowman but dropped to third place after adding four time penalties on cross country. One rail today gave them a final score of 47.4 and to finish in fifth place with the 9-year-old Wurttemberger owned by Clayton, Amanda Bernhard and Diana Crawford.

Kingfisher Park’s 10-year-old Zweibrucker mare FE Ophelia started the competition behind her stablemate in second place with a dressage score of 42.5. She and Clayton added 1.6 time penalties on cross country and show jumped double clear today to finish third overall on 44.1.

Clayton explained that FE Ophelia has been with a couple of different riders but has finally found her perfect match with Clayton. “I think we’re building a good relationship and I’m very pleased with the way she went,” he said.

Both FE Ophelia and FE Bowman are likely headed to compete in Montana at Rebecca Farm, so the competition this week was a good challenge for them.

“(The cross country) made them blow and there was enough in there to test them,” he said. “It’s always hard to show jump in this ring. It’s really tight and the time is normally tight, so it’s hard to produce a clear in there.”

Finishing in fourth place and adding nothing to their dressage score was Will Coleman and Team Rebecca LLC’s 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse Don Dante, finishing on a 46.9.

Great Expectations Lives Up to His Name in CCI*

Rachel Wilks and Great Expectations. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Rachel Wilks and her 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse missed out on an FEI win at The Fork in April by a fraction of a point, but this weekend all three phases came together and they won the CCI* division on their dressage score of 41.3.

They entered the ring in second place behind Kelli Temple and Metallica, and produced one of just six double clear rounds out of 32 that show jumped in the division. With 10 points between her and first place, the pressure was off.

“I thought ‘it will be what it will be.’ I just have to do the best that I can and give him a good ride,” Rachel said. Then Kelli and Metallica pulled three rails and Rachel and Great Expectations were leading the victory gallop.

“This was the big event of the season and he was fabulous; this is what we’ve been working up to all year and he was absolutely amazing,” Rachel said. “He surpassed every expectation and lived up to his name!”

Kelli and Kara Angulo’s 7-year-old Holsteiner mare Metallica finished in second place in the mare’s first FEI event on a final score of 43.9. Holly Payne Caravella and the CharmKing Syndicate’s CharmKing added one rail to their two phase score of 41.4 to finish third.

Valerie Vizcarrando and her own Favian also added a rail for fourth place on 48.3. Boyd Martin and The Fonz Himself, owned by Bonnie Stedt, moved into the top five after a double clear round.

Stuart Horne Canadian Championship

Bruce Lamb and Gamble. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Bromont also serves as the Stuart Horne Canadian Championship. The award is offered by Bridget Colman in memory of her father, Stuart Horne. Here are the 2017 Champions and Reserve Champions across the four divisions:

CCI3* Champion: Jessica Phoenix and Bogue Sound

CCI2* Champion: Shelby Brost and Crimson
CCI2* Reserve Champion: Waylon Roberts and Lancaster

CIC2* Champion: Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue D’Argouges
CIC2* Reserve Champion: Alexis Murray and My Principle

CCI* Champion: Jessica Ruppel and Hippique ABU
CCI* Reserve Champion: Bradley Champagne and Wallaroo W

Another special award, the Ledger Family Award, is given by Dr. Gaby Ledger, her husband Alex and their daughters Mia and Briar to the top amateur rider in the CCI* who has a full time job outside of horses and balances all the challenges that comes with such a schedule.

Receiving a bronze trophy, commemorative cooler and a check for $1,000 was Bruce Lamb, of London, Ontario. Bruce is the President and CEO of Avalanche Search Marketing and he finished 27th in the CCI* riding his 11-year-old Thoroughbred Gamble.

And that’s a wrap on the 2017 Pedigree Bromont CCI Three-Day Event! You can click here to catch up on all our coverage. Thanks for reading. Go Eventing.

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