It might be “just” a $3 ribbon, but when it’s hanging off your horse’s bridle after a job well done it sure does feel like a million bucks.
Here are your proudest Instagram pics from the weekend that was!
Morven Park H.T. [Results]
Rocking Horse Spring H.T. [Results]
Full Gallop Farm H.T. [Results]
Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. [Results]
Galway Downs CIC & H.T. [Results]
Good work, EN. Go Eventing!
Izzy Taylor, winner of the 2017 Lycetts Grantham Cup. Photo courtesy of Belton International Horse Trials.
Britain’s Izzy Taylor claimed the headline win at Belton International H.T. with KBIS Starburst. Izzy, Mark Todd with Leonidas II, and Piggy French with Quarrycrest Echo were all within a point of one another to finish one-two-three in the CIC3* Lycetts Grantham Cup.
“I’m delighted with this win,” Izzy says. “KBIS Starburst has had nearly two years away from competition, and he does get nervous in an atmosphere of which there is plenty here, but I’ve worked hard on that and couldn’t be happier with his performance this weekend.”
Izzy and the 10-year-old Irish-bred gelding were tied for fourth position after dressage and added nothing to their score of 43.0 to jump their way up the scoreboard into the top spot. They posted the fastest cross country time of the day in the horse’s first three-star since Blenheim in 2015. Izzy also finished fifth with Frog Rock.
Britain-based U.S. rider Katherine Coleman and Back to Business II also enjoyed a partnership-building weekend at Belton, adding a couple show jumping rails and just a bit of time cross country to their dressage score of 58.7 to finish 58th in the near-100 horse strong division.
Belton marks the second three-star outing for Katherine and her 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare, following a 7th place finish at Barroca D’Alva in Portugal last month. We look forward to seeing Katherine and her four-star mount Longwood tackle their first four-star together at Badminton next month!
Belton is the first leg of the Shearwater Insurance Tri-Star Grand Slam, which offers a ‘winner-takes-all’ prize fund of £50,000 for any rider who can win three of the five CIC3* events included in the competition. Belton joins Burnham Market International, Houghton International, Burgham International and NAF Five Star Hartpury International as legs of the series. Congrats to Izzy on her win, and we look forward to following the rest of the series as it unfolds.
In addition to the CIC3* Belton featured a number of other divisions including two Advanced classes, won by Paul Sims with Glengarnock and Tim Price with Xavier Faer. Britain-based Canadian rider Katherine Robinson and Let It Bee finished in the top 10 of a competitive Advanced division, having added 11.6 cross country time penalties to their dressage score of 34.6. They are currently on the Badminton wait list.
We are saddened to report the loss of Irish eventer Camilla Spiers’ mount BT Border Bandit, who was euthanized after suffering a severe injury on cross country in the Advanced division. We will share more information as it becomes available.
Belton CIC3* Final Top 15:
Belton H.T.: Website, Final Results
James Pray Baker Jr. and Wings.
The eventing community mourns the loss of James Pray Baker, Jr., who passed away unexpectedly on March 23. Jim was an active volunteer, strong supporter of Area II Adult Riders and a board member at the Carolina Horse Park. In addition to eventing his Thoroughbred “Wings”, he enjoyed foxhunting with the Moore County Hounds and also played polo. Jim was a shining light whose good humor and zest for life will be greatly missed. [In Memoriam]
U.S. Weekend Action:
Morven Park H.T. [Website] [Results]
Rocking Horse Spring H.T. [Website] [Results]
Full Gallop Farm H.T. [Website] [Results]
Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Results]
Galway Downs CIC & H.T. [Website] [Results] [Live Stream]
Monday News and Notes:
With five perfect rounds, McLain Ward and HH Azur won the FEI World Cup™ Jumping finals in Omaha. After their final round yesterday McLain said, “I’ve always wanted to win an individual championship,” McLain said to FEI TV after his win. “I thought I was running out of gas, but the mare is amazing and dug deep, and I think the last round was the best of the week.” [McLain and Annie Flawless in Omaha]
Mind your melon. How’s that for a New Year’s Resolution? U.S. Dressage star Steffen Peters is a traditionalist at heart who continued to wear top hat and tails in FEI competitions despite the rising popularity (and good sense) of wearing a helmet. Steffen said he hung onto his top hat largely due to superstition but made the switch to wearing a helmet with encouragement from his teammates and as an opportunity to be a positive role model for the next generation of dressage riders. [Steffen Peters Retires Top Hat]
“When she’s got her game face on, you ain’t messin’ with this lady.” Riding her team gold and individual silver medal Olympic partner Weihegold, world #1 dressage rider Isabell Werth won her third FEI World Cup™ Dressage title in Omaha this weekend. She was last in the ring for the freestyle following Laura Graves and Verdades 85.307% performance, and threw down an incredible 90.704% for the win. [Wonderful Werth and Weihegold Take World Cup]
Boyd Martin will speak on behalf of ex-racehorses at the first International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses conference in Washington, DC on May 17-18. Among the goals of the conference is to promote the versatility and adaptability of Thoroughbreds and raise awareness for their suitability in other equestrian disciplines after their racing days are over.
Monday Video: Friend of EN Margaret McKelvy and her OTTB Runs On Stilts (2015 Maryland’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred).
Kentucky’s Chelsea Kolman and Dauntless Courage recently made the step up to the Advanced level, completing their first CIC3* in style last month. They picked up a third place finish at Poplar Place, also finishing fifth in their Advanced debut at Rocking Horse.
We’ve enjoyed keeping up with Chelsea and “Dante” and can’t wait to see what else is in store for them this season. You can find our previous stories on this pair here and here. In the meantime, enjoy this look between the ears as they tackle their first CIC3*!
One-hundred eleven jam-packed #EventerProblems volumes in and I still don’t know who is weirder: event horses or the people who ride them. Here’s the latest batch of evidence that it might, in fact, be the latter.
When you owe SMZs back to the barn… #eventerproblems #itsnotwhatitlookslike #barnlife A post shared by megan (@kieshorse) on
Anyone else have “blow dry the pony” on a list of things to do today? No? Just me? #eventerproblems A post shared by Bobbie Wiersema (@allaroundpainthorse) on
when you gotta make it in one trip to the trailer #eventerproblems #noproblem #chatthillsbound A post shared by jessica hubbard ◡̈ (@jessicahorse) on
Go Eventing.
It was a wonderful weekend of eventing at Galway Downs here in Southern California. I spent the weekend working in the trade fair, and I had so much fun working with and meeting new and old friends. The eventing community is truly something special, and I’m thankful to be a part of it!
All sappiness aside, here’s a round-up of social media posts from the weekend. I will add more to these as the last day of competition wraps up this afternoon!
Galway Downs: Website, Live Scores
"A Horse of a Different Color" features horses and ponies that have been successful in the sport of eventing while representing a unique breed. Do you have a horse that you think would be a great feature subject? If so, tip me at [email protected].
Kenzie Wilkinson and Zero Gravity. Photo by Carol Mingst.
Walking past the warm-up arena for cross country at Galway Downs last November, I saw a girl on a gray horse getting some cross country pointers from coach Earl McFall. I watched as this pair tackled the warm-up fences for the CCI1* and found myself thinking that this pair looked like they got things done. The horse was a little gray, perhaps not the flashiest horse in the world, but I think that is what caught my eye the most about it. So I had to find out more.
Meet Kenzie Wilkinson and her Quarter Horse/Thoroughbred mare, Zero Gravity. This pair bases in Northern California, primarily training with Earl and Jen McFall of Dragonfire Farm, but spent a lot of their early days together back in their hometown in Michigan training with Philippa Humphreys.
Finding an upper level event horse wasn’t the initial goal for Kenzie when she first began riding. “I was just about to go into high school and had had a couple of horses already,” Kenzie recalled. “She came from a hunter/jumper barn in Western Michgan, and we actually tried her sister first.”
Kenzie Wilkinson and Zero Gravity. Photo by Captured Moment Photography.
Originally bred to be more of a Quarter Horse type with a Thoroughbred dam, Kenzie originally wasn’t sure the little mare would be a good fit for what she was looking for.
“My sister told me to try her, and I thought she was too small,” Kenzie continued. “I took her for a spin, and as soon as I jumped her I knew I wanted her.”
Indeed, “Bailey” is small but mighty, standing just 15.1 hands and often getting mistaken for a pony. She spent much of her initial time with Kenzie doing typical kid activities such as 4H, camping, swimming and parades. From that point, Kenzie decided that she wanted to get more serious about eventing and moved to Philippa’s program full-time.
Kenzie and Bailey completed their first recognized event at May Daze in 2013, finishing fifth in the Junior Novice division. The following year at Dunnabeck Horse Trials, the pair made the big step up to the Preliminary level, where they finished 11th.
“I really thought I’d move up to Prelim, go to college and not be able to be as serious about it,” Kenzie said. “I decided to go to UC-Davis and spend the winter working for Philly in Ocala.”
It seemed Kenzie couldn’t quite rid herself of the horse bug, so she began working with the McFalls when she returned to school and eventually stepped back up to the green numbers in the spring of 2015.
“Realistically, I thought Training level would be the coolest thing ever,” Kenzie said. “For me, getting to go Training was like going to the Olympics. Bailey is an awesome jumper, but she can be quirky and has her own ideas of how to do things, so we spent some time getting eliminated and having some trouble. But we knew she was talented. Everyone I worked with said she was a Prelim horse, so it was just a matter of one thing leading to the next.”
First one-star, check! Photo by Cori Davis.
Before she knew it, Kenzie was sending in for her FEI passport and entering her first CCI1*, the push for which she credits both her coaches as well as regular clinician Hawley Bennett-Awad. “I wasn’t sure if it was a totally unreasonable idea,” she said. “Hawley was the one who told me to get my passport and get to Galway, and I think had she not said that I would have been too scared to ask about it.”
Completing her first one-star was bittersweet for Kenzie, who rode in memory of Philippa Humphreys all weekend. “The one-star was always with her in mind,” she said. “That was always a goal she had set for me. She had a huge influence on my riding. We didn’t really get serious about eventing until we moved to her place, and then we were mucking stalls to help out and traveling to shows with her. You could definitely say that she had a lot to do with any success we have.”
The EN team continues to remember Philippa Humphreys and encourages our audience to help support her daughter, Millie’s college fund. You can find out more here. You can also learn more about the USEA’s Collapsible Fence Study here.
USA’s Karl Cook and Tembla at the FEI World Cup Final. Photo by Emily Daignault-Salvaggio
It’s been a huge week over at our sister site, JumperNation.com. We’ve been covering every little nook and cranny of the FEI World Cup Jumping Finals, and we’ve been rewarded with front row seats to McLain Ward trying to make history with his first win in his 17th appearance at this event. For those of you eventers who secretly dabble in the dark arts of pure show jumping news now and again, we sure appreciate you coming along for the ride this week, and hope you’ll stick around for the rest of the 2017 season!
U.S. Weekend Action:
Morven Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]
Rocking Horse Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Full Gallop Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]
Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Galway Downs CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores] [Live Stream]
Sunday Links
Endurance trainer suspended for two years for injecting horses with banned substance
6 Horsey April Fools We Wish Were True
Mclain Ward and HH Azur Soar for Second Night, Fairytale Intact
Springtime: Equestrian Expectation vs. Reality
Do you understand the dust patterns and sweat marks of saddle fit?
Sunday Video:
Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin. Photo by Ellie Leonard.
Cross country day at Galway Downs was Next Level (see what I did there?) as the upper levels tackled Ian Stark’s challenge to decide the winners of the FEI divisions. Frankie Thieriot Stutes successfully completed a wire to wire win in the CIC3* aboard Chatwin, securing their first win at the Advanced level.
It was a tough week for Frankie, who received news that Eric Brandenburg, a member of The Chatwin Group, had passed away, but she was determined to make the best of it in remembrance. “It’s definitely been tough to keep it together, but it makes everything really special. Without (Eric) I wouldn’t have Chatwin,” Frankie said.
“I thought Chatwin was really good. He got a little bit strong, but he was really good through the combinations. If anything there were some gallop fences we could improve. It was a typical big Ian course, but I was able to make up some time toward the end.”
Frankie and Chatwin finished on their dressage score of 42.1 over second placed Heather Morris and Charlie Tango, who also finished with no penalties added to their original score of 46.3. Also remaining in the top three is Mackenna Shea and Landioso.
Ian’s course caused a few problems scattered about, overall presenting a healthy challenge for this point in the season to give the combinations a good springboard into the remainder of the season.
Looking to the CIC2*, Tamie Smith and Sunsprite Syrius also clinched a wire to wire win on their dressage score of 47.2. Syrius, who is nine this year, is stepping up to the two-star level this weekend, so a win on the first outing is a big check mark for this talented horse owned by Sunsprite Warmbloods.
Tamie also took home the win in the CIC1*, where we’d like to issue a big welcome back to the Ahearn family’s Mai Baum, making his first start since his win at Fair Hill International in 2015. “Lexus” scored a 32.3 in the dressage to take a handy lead and added one rail to his score before going on to an easy breezy double clear cross country round. Look for more on the return of the Black Stallion here on EN to come later!
The Horse Trial divisions will finish competition tomorrow, so there’s still more to come from Galway Downs. I will also be updating this post with current photos. Go eventing!
Galway Downs: Website, Live Scores, Live Stream
In the market for a new four-legged partner? You may find your unicorn on our sister site, Sport Horse Nation. To help with the search, we’re going to feature a selection of current listings here on EN each week. We include the ad copy provided; click the links for videos, pricing and contact information.
I took a Dutch language class in college. My mom was furious and thought my language credit would be much better spent in Spanish or Latin. She’s probably right, but that little bit of knowledge hasn’t been completely useless considering Dutch Warmbloods are a popular breed in English equestrian sports.
The Royal Warmblood Studbook (KWPN) is one of the largest registries in the world and was established back when the breed was valued for its pulling power rather than jumping power. Click here to learn more about the KWPN North American registry and then check out these three lovely Dutch Warmbloods for sale on Sport Horse Nation.
Priceless. Photo courtesy of Sharon White via Sport Horse Nation.
Winning Training Level Horse With Spectacular Movement!
Priceless “Miles” is a 2008 bay imported Dutch Warmblood Gelding. He has an eye catching presence and floats across the ground. His uphill balance makes him a serious dressage prospect, he has competed in the 1.10 jumpers with a young rider and is winning at training level eventing. He has all the makes to go into any ring and win! Located in Ocala, FL.
Hudson. Photo courtesy of Sara Welgoss via Sport Horse Nation.
Talented Dutch Warmblood gelding
Hudson is a 17.0hh, 2007, Dutch Warmblood, gelding. Hudson has shown up to 3′ 3″ at jumper shows, with ease and scope, and up to novice level eventing with room to go higher. He is a lovely mover who consistently scores in the low 30’s to mid to upper 20’s. He is a talented jumper who could make a great show jumper as well as an eventer. He could also be well suited for a dressage rider. Best suited for an experienced rider and with the right rider he will move up through the levels nicely. No leases or trials. Located in Adamstown, MD.
Festive Rose. Photo courtesy of Jennie Brannigan via Sport Horse Nation.
Festive Rose- 2010 15.3 KWPN Mare
Festive Rose aka Rosie is a 2010 15.3 chestnut KWPN (National Anthem X Wasabi Rosa, by Farrington) mare. Rosie is a beautiful mare with three fancy gaits and a scopey jump with a good bascule. Rosie has shown in dressage through training level and is correctly schooling first level at home. In October of 2016, Rosie won the Open Beginner Novice division at The Virginia CCI/CIC and Horse Trials! Rosie moved up to novice recently and finished on her dressage score of 29, and has never been out of the top three. Rosie is related to many good event horses including TwilightsLastGleam who completed two CCI1* as a six year old. Very sweet and personable! Located in Ocala, FL.
Listings included in this article are randomly selected and confirmed to be current and active before inclusion. Sport Horse Nation features user-generated content and therefore cannot verify or make any warranty as to the validity or reliability of information.
