Seija Samoylenko is a young rider from Boston, Massachusetts. She enjoys competing her mare, (the) Black Russian, and homebred, Forte EDF in Areas I, II and III. For more about Seija, follow her on Instagram @seijasameq and check out her new website: www.seijasam.com.
Polishing my boots before cross country at GMHA in South Woodstock, Vermont.
The joke around horses is that the time you spend “riding” is largely spent out of the saddle. Everything that has to happen to ride is what takes the real time: grooming, tacking, cleaning tack, etc. Non-horse people don’t understand this. To them, these tasks could be done quicker or, worse, not at all.
Lately I have realized that it is not just the unenlightened that see these tasks as somewhat superfluous —it is even some people who work with horses every day. I’m not saying that they do not want to care for their horses; what they don’t seem to focus on is the details. If you get the big things done, shouldn’t you have permission to cut out those tasks that seem almost unnecessary?
Why check the horses’ feet when we know they have pads and nothing can get in? Answer: To see if the horse has all its shoes. Why wait for the legs to be dry before you wrap them? To ensure that you’re not creating an environment for skin bacteria to flourish.
Why wash a bit when it’s just doing to get dirty again tomorrow? Same reason you brush your teeth. Why hook up the chin strap of the halter when you only have to walk 50 meters? To keep the swinging buckle from potentially injuring your horse’s eye, or to be sure he has a secure halter if he gets loose.
Many of us “cut corners” if you think about it.
It’s those of us that work with horses daily who are tempted to skimp on these little tasks. I know these extra seconds add up when you’re in a hurry. Am I perfect? No. I’m horrible about keeping the manes pulled in the winter. Sometimes I only wash the bit and not the entire bridle after I ride. But if I cut a corner, I try my best to not cut it again tomorrow.
The problem is many of these details are so small that they go unnoticed. And when you point them out you are often met with blank stares. Who cares whether pitch forks are hung properly? Who cares if the aisle is swept under the tack trunks every day? Who cares if the blankets are tidy when folded?
Maybe I haven’t convinced you, so here is what George Morris says: “Love means attention. Which means looking after the things we love. We call this stable management.”
As the East Coast enters full swing of the spring season, the California scene is starting to heat up as well, with a healthy division entered at Galway Downs this weekend. With a handful of West Coast-based riders intending to use this as a final prep for Rolex (or Badminton!), we’ll be keeping a sharp eye on Galway.
Ian Stark has been the course designer at this venue for a number of years, even as his popularity is heating up out east. Known for a propensity for ditches, open logs and rider-frighteners, his courses reward forward, bold rides.
Photo courtesy of Galway Downs
The Field
In the past two years, about 85% of the field at this show has finished cross country with no jumping penalties. That’s well over the international rate of clear cross country rounds, which is 66% over the same time period.
In 2014, 22% (three pairs) in the field finished on their dressage score. In 2015, no one managed to finish on their dressage score.
The past two winners were in third or fourth place after dressage. Will this be the year that someone can lead wire-to-wire? Or will the winner come from behind again?
MacKenna Shea and Landioso. Photo by Alleyn Evans for official event photographer Shannon Brinkman Photography, courtesy of Rebecca Farm.
Dressage Divas
Chatwin only has four starts at this level but he’s managed to improve his dressage score just a touch with every test. Most recently he and Frankie Theriot-Stutes proved they can strike in the 30s with the FEI equivalent of 38.1 in the Advanced at Twin Rivers earlier this month.
Over their lengthy career together, Mackenna Shea and Landioso have proven themselves as strong contenders in the first phase. They’ve scored in the mid-40s for their last 11 starts in a row.
Although Charlie Tango’s resume is much shorter than Landioso’s, he and Heather Morris have already proven a similar reliability on the flat, notching off four mid-40s scores in their four three-star starts.
Both Glock Pullman and RevitaVet Elijah could pop up into the first few placings after day one, having both scored the FEI equivalent of 42.3 at Twin Rivers in the Advanced. This will be RevitaVet Elijah’s second start at this level with James Alliston, while Glock Pullman and Tamie Smith will be having their second start at this level as a team.
Bunnie Sexton and Rise Against. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Show Jumping Powerhouses
Charlie Tango and Heather Morris have an almost perfect show jumping record since they moved up to Advanced last year, marred only by two time penalties in their last outing at Twin Rivers.
Master King II is another horse who has proven he can leave all the colored sticks up. He and Leah Breakey are a perfect three for three of double clear stadium rounds at the Advanced level.
In 25 stadium rounds at the Advanced, three-star and four-star levels, Bunnie Sexton and Rise Against have never had more than one rail in a stadium round. Ever.
Amber Levine and Carry On. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Cross Country Machines
Carry On and Amber Levine are machines at this level, having never finished more than 15 seconds over optimum time when putting in a clear cross country round.
Bunnie Sexton and Rise Against have never had a stop in the 18 Advanced and CIC3* starts in which they left the start box.
Glock Pullman and RevitaVet Elijah both showed they can hit the optimum time at Twin Rivers.
PREDICTED WINNER: Frankie Theriot-Stutes and Chatwin
Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Bills making light work of the huge jump into the water at Carolina International CIC3*. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
At 8-years-old, OTTB Unmarked Bills was one of the youngest contestants in the CIC3* at Carolina International this past weekend, with both he and his jockey Chris Talley competing in their second attempt ever at the Advanced level. Their journey to the top together has been astonishing in more ways than one, and their story is the stuff that dreams are made of.
Bills, by Posse out of Kelli’s Ransom, raced from the ages of 2 to 5, running 24 times and earning $67,250. He raced in California, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey before retiring in November of 2014. His owner, David Nuesch, decided that the handsome gelding had a good chance of being a sport horse, and contacted none other than yours truly to see how he could sell him for his next career.
These days I’m kicking myself for this decision, but after riding him and free jumping him, I contacted Chris Talley and said I knew of a nice horse who he should take to Florida with him and sell for my friend David. Chris was doing lots of OTTB sales at the time, and I knew he would do a good job with the horse.
So Bills went with Chris to Florida in January 2015, and four months later he was entered in his first event at Training level. “I wanted to enter the Novice, but I entered late,” Chris says. “I contacted the organizers and they said all they had was a spot for Beginner Novice or for Training, so I figured we’d just give the Training a shot. He was a little unsure of things, but he has such a big heart, he just tried all weekend long.”
Chris & Bills in their first Advanced at Pine Top this spring. Photo by Antonio Salazar.
The pair completed three Training level events, and in August of 2015 they successfully moved up to Preliminary, only nine months after Bills had completed his last race. They finished their first year of eventing with only one placing outside of the top 10 and no cross country jumping faults.
At Carolina International in 2016, Chris and Bills moved up to Intermediate, finishing third in their division with only a rail and some time to add to their dressage score. From there on out, they did the CIC* at Fair Hill for qualification purposes, and completed three CIC2* events over the summer and fall at Virginia, Richland and Plantation Field.
When asked how he was able to move up the levels so quickly, Chris is quick to give all the credit to Bills and his incredible Thoroughbred heart. “Bills just never stops trying. The cross country has never been an issue for him,” Chris says. “He has struggled with connection issues on the flat, but he’s always been incredibly bold over jumps.”
They topped off their stellar year in 2016 with a 15th placing at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International CCI2* and a double clear cross country round. At only 7 years old, Bills received the USEF Reserve Champion Young Horse Award.
Chris and Bills in their first CIC3* at Carolina International. Photo by Kate Samuels.
Over the winter, Chris worked on Bills’ dressage and show jumping, focusing on improving the quality of the movements and the accuracy over fences. “He wants to be really careful, but he can get a little tense sometimes,” Chris explains.
Bills has also been enjoying some dressage tutelage from Hannah Salazar, who has partnered up with Chris in the past year and is an accomplished dressage rider and avid breeder out of Zaragoza Acres in Virginia. Hannah also owns Chris’ other upper-level mount, Sandro’s Star, a 9-year-old Oldenburg stallion competing at the Intermediate level.
This spring, Bills ran the Intermediate at the first Pine Top in early February before making the move up to Advanced at the second Pine Top later in the month. That was the first attempt at the level for both horse and rider, and they went around it like it was no problem.
“He was really, really spectacular at Pine Top,” Chris says. “I took all the direct routes and didn’t waste any time. He is so good on cross country, but I wanted to see how bold he was, and he answered everything really easily.”
Chris and Bills before the first horse inspection at Fair Hill. Photo by Antonio Salazar.
Chris and Bills moved up to the CIC3* level this past weekend at Carolina and had a fabulous run. For a horse that hasn’t even been eventing for two full years yet, that is a pretty amazing feat.
Chris is in the final stages of putting together a syndicate to keep the ride on this amazing Thoroughbred, with five total owners including David Nuesch and his wife Daryl, who are delighted to see the horse enjoying so much success in a second career.
As for now, they’re taking it one event at a time, but the aim is to do at least one more CIC3* and then aim for Bromont CCI3* in June. We can’t wait to see where this pair goes, and we just adore a story of a good OTTB full of heart!
As a bonus, we have footage of Bills’ first free jump at home in Virginia, alongside his Fair Hill CCI2* cross country, less than two years apart!
“Soft, supple and straight forward to ride: Crackerjack!” Photo and caption via Boyd Martin.
One of the many reasons why we love Boyd is that he’s not afraid to show his sticky moments online, as evidenced by the above photo. More than a few riders had some funky moments through this second water combination at Carolina International CIC3*, but Boyd definitely has the best caption for his moment in time with good old Crackers.
A World Class Grooming Clinic to benefit Lee Lee Jones’ recovery will be held May 7 at Cedar Springs Farm in Cochranville, PA, with 100% of the profits going directly to assisting with Lee Lee’s medical costs, rehabilitation and care. Cost is $90 for pre-registration and $110 for week-of registration. [Lee Lee Clinic Info & Registration]
The USET announced yesterday that Caroline Martin and Mackenna Shea have been awarded the 2017 Karen Stives Eventing Endowment Fund Grants. This grant will allow these two young professionals to compete in the Karen E. Stives European Emerging Athlete Tour, under the guidance of Leslie Law. They will represent the US on the international stage at Houghton Hall CICO3* and Bramham International CCI3*-U25 in Great Britain. [Karen Stives Eventing Endowment]
US Dressage riders Laura Graves and Kasey Perry-Glass were their own flying grooms on the way to the FEI World Cup in Nebraska. Verdades and Goerklintgaards Dublet shipped out of Palm Beach this week, and while most top horses have a traveling groom, these two ladies like to keep things simple and personal with their horses. “The way we are with our horses, we like to be with them whenever it’s permitted,” Graves said of herself and her fellow riders who fly. [Olympic Riders or Flying Grooms
Take a spin around the Preliminary course at Poplar Place Farm’s March Horse Trials with Hannah Ledford and Doubt Ya Boy, who finished fourth in the Junior Young Riders Open Preliminary division on a final score of 51.8 last weekend.
Hannah and “Joey” skipped around the course with just 1.2 time penalties to deliver the second-fastest ride in the division. We especially love the ending: “He was so good! He didn’t miss — taking good care of me.” Good boy, Joey. Go Eventing.
Caroline and Pebbly Maximus, her 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, and Mackenna and Landioso, her 15-year-old Bavarian Warmblood gelding, will spend a month in England on the Karen E. Stives European Emerging Athlete Tour, training with USEF Emerging Athletes Coach Leslie Law and competing at the Houghton Hall CICO3* and Bramham CCI3*-U25.
Competing on the tour will allow Mackenna to make her overseas debut, and she said the opportunity would not be possible without the generosity of the late Karen Stives, who donated $1 million to the USET Foundation to create a fund that would give up-and-coming U.S. riders valuable international experience.
“Being a part of the Emerging Athletes program has been a huge asset to my development, and now with the help of this generous grant, I will be able to take what I have learned abroad,” Mackenna said. “Spending several weeks in Europe at two different venues will be unlike anything I have ever experienced before, and I hope this trip can bring me closer to my goal of one day riding on a team.”
Caroline Martin and Pebbly Maximus. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Caroline also competed on the tour last year and said she is thrilled to have the opportunity once again. “It’s really great that we have the backing for under-25 riders. To be able to go overseas and compete with the world’s best under 25 event riders — we’re really lucky that our country does this for us. It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to represent this grant and Karen Stives,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to being able to make the jump from junior to professional and being able to go over and compete and be on my top form. It’s definitely the next step into becoming a professional and, thanks to this grant, I think it’s a great start to my professional career.”
In addition to training with Leslie Law and competing at Houghton Hall and Bramham, Mackenna and Carolina will also visit British Olympian Carl Hester’s yard, as well as a steeplechase yard. The EN team wishes Mackenna and Caroline the best of luck as they set off on their trip in May. Go Eventing.
“You’re going to sit back and ride this confidently, or you’re going to cry for your mommy.” That was course designer Ian Stark’s advice for negotiating the huge log drop at the Ship’s Quarters water complex at Carolina International.
And the riders did sit back and ride, but whether your horse dropped in quietly or launched up and out, the key was to quickly organize for the B element, a big brush corner at the top of a mound. It was a test of bravery, communication and good footwork, and it was an awesome complex to sit and watch.
Check out these seven CIC3* competitors and decide which horse and rider pair present the best overall picture. Then vote in the poll below for who you think jumped it best.
Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch. Photo by Jenni Autry.
The decision to retire a horse is never an easy one, and it came as an especially difficult blow for Laine Ashker, who announced the retirement of her longtime partner, Anthony Patch, on Monday.
Laine had been aiming for a return to Rolex Kentucky next month, hoping to go out with a bang on the horse that skyrocketed her career to new heights. It wasn’t meant to be, however, as the pair had some uncharacteristic trouble on cross country while contesting the CIC3* at Carolina International over the weekend.
“Al can’t speak to me directly, but I’ve known him long enough and what he has never done is quit on me,” Laine said. “I have to listen to what he’s trying to tell me, and it was the first time that he really ever told me no.”
Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
After the abrupt end to her weekend, Laine had Al checked over by her veterinary team, who told her that she could still make that final push for Kentucky if she wanted to try.
“He is sound, but one thing I never want to do is go out of the start box on a horse that isn’t 110% with me,” she explained. “I really wanted to go to Rolex again, but he owes me nothing. I’m so lucky to have that horse. I wouldn’t want to go to Kentucky and get eliminated or come back with a broken horse, so I’d rather retire him now while he is sound and happy.”
At 18, Anthony Patch has become a household name for eventing fans in the U.S. and beyond, and Laine said he gave her the strength to keep going following her accident at Rolex in 2008 when she lost Frodo Baggins. For all of these things and more, Laine says it’s an honor to call Al hers.
“He’s such a special horse to have taken me as far as he has,” Laine said. “It’s truly an honor to have that little horse who has been such a great ambassador for the sport and who has motivated so many people. He represents so much hope and I’m just so appreciative that he gave that to me.”
Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch at Burghley 2015. Photo by Nico Morgan.
“The night before cross country at my first Rolex after my accident, I had a mental breakdown,” she continued. “It wasn’t because I was scared — Al has always kept me safe — but I had so many demons and terrible memories. That next day, Al helped me create positive memories of that course, and we navigated it as a team. I will never forget that ride coming back.”
Laine also added completing her first Burghley to the list of her all-time favorite memories with Al. “I remember telling my mom that I hoped I’d get to ride him at Burghley one day when I first started him,” she recalled. “I had the worst preparation for Burghley, and he went out there with me having no confidence and we made it through the finish flags. It was a dream come true for me.”
Above all, Laine says she just wants to have a happy, healthy horse for as many years as possible. “I want to have the luxury of enjoying him,” she said. “I imagine he could come back and do some Preliminary or Intermediate events with someone who wants to learn how to really be competitive, and I think he will enjoy it because he’s not the type of horse who can’t have a job.”
Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Ultimately, Laine is making peace with her decision to retire Al. “I’m really bummed, because even this weekend he felt like the one to beat. It will be awhile before my other horses are ready to step into those shoes, so it’s a big void,” she said.
“But I have to remember that they will get there; I just have to continue putting that time in. He stepped up for me when I had lost everything, and I know that they will eventually be able to step up to the plate as well.”
Laine has some sharp talent coming up through the levels in Flagmount’s Spartan, owned by Laine and Tera Call; her mother Valerie’s homebred Calling All Comets; and also the off-track Thoroughbred Call Him Paddy. In time, Laine knows she will once again have the horse to take her back to the very top of the sport.
At the end of the day, Laine knows the journey with her heart horse isn’t over, and she will always have the fondest memories of her time at the top with Al
“I’m looking forward to seeing him teach someone the ropes and continuing to enjoy him. What Al represents is for the kids out there who don’t have the money but have the dream. It is possible to make it and get the result,” Laine said.
“I hope people don’t stop screaming #GoAlGo and I hope they never forget him. I will never forget that feeling, and I know Al won’t either. That’s why I had to retire him. I could never take anything away from him when he’s done so much for me.”
Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
With entries closing yesterday for the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, this morning’s entry status shows 64 horse-and-rider combinations, including two-time defending champion Michael Jung. The Terminator will ride 2016 winner fischerRocana FST as well as fischerTakinou, who handily finished second in his first CCI4* at Pau last fall.
Michael commented last year that Rocana really seemed to enjoy her time in Kentucky, so he tapped her and “Taki” early when he announced his competition plans for the spring. Will there be a Jung hat trick? Time will tell, but there are plenty of challengers ready to step up to the plate this year.
Also added to the entry list is France’s Maxime Livio with Qalao de Mers, who won Pau CCI4* and finished second at Luhmühlen CCI4* last year. We will also see the return of Great Britain’s Zara Tindall with High Kingdom, who completed Badminton last spring after the horse sustained an injury and withdrew from Rolex before dressage in 2015.
Buck Davidson also populates the list now with three entries: Carl Segal and Sherrie Martin’s Copper Beach, Caroline and Sherrie Martin’s Petite Flower and Carl and Cassie Segal’s Park Trader.
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive. Photo by Jenni Autry.
We’ll also see Phillip Dutton, who is entered with John and Kristine Norton’s I’m Sew Ready, Annie Jones and Tom Tierney’s Fernhill Fugitive as well as the Mr. Medicott Syndicate’s Mr. Medicott. Phillip told EN last month that Mr. Medicott would be making a comeback this year following a lengthy rehabilitation period, and he is also entered to compete at The Fork CIC3* next week.
We’ll continue to bring you the latest updates on the Rolex entry list. With entries closing yesterday, we expect to see a few more names popping up on the list. Hold onto your hats; it’s going to be an exciting ride this year!
Lisa Marie Fergusson was one of those who trekked back to the gloomy northern weather after Carolina. Photo via Lisa Marie's FB page.
I’ve eagerly been waiting all winter for everyone to come back, and that time has come on all of a sudden. The migration is well underway, with some riders coming back directly from Carolina, others making a pit stop south again before driving north, and others hanging on in the sun until after Rolex.
Jennie Brannigan keeps expanding her repertoire. Not satisfied with only eventing, Jennie has been known for her moonlighting as an exercise ride and on rare occasions, jockey. Having already tested the waters as a flat jockey, Jennie expanded her horizons last weekend by piloting Joshua G in a timber race the day after Carolina. [Jennie Brannigan Gets Her Feet Wet]
What’s the big deal about Badminton? Horse & Hound has compiled a basic guide to everything Badminton, perfect to hand to your significant other when he keeps asking you why you’re suddenly obsessed with a sport that’s not quite tennis. [Badminton Horse Trials Visitors’ Guide]
Things often seem to happen all at once when things start falling into place. After sweating all winter over selling her two upper level dressage horses, blogger Lauren Sprieser was down to the wire as the Florida trip ended. Then, someone called asking if they could try her third level horse, and oh by the way, did she have an experienced horse for a young rider. Within a week, both horses sold to the same barn. [Funny the Way Things Work Out]
SmartPak Product of the Day: It’s spring, which means warm temperatures, rain, and mud. All of that leads to rain rot, and it’s time to bust out my favorite cure for such fungus-y issues as you may have. As a bonus, it smells like bacon! [SmartPak]
