Classic Eventing Nation

Thursday News & Notes from Nupafeed

By on Mar 16, 2017 12:03 am -
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An oldie but a goodie. Photo via Laine Ashker.

Look, we always joke around here about the Virginia weather, but this is just out of hand. When it’s 65 one day, and literally 20 the next….I just don’t even know how to respond to that. I feel really sorry for the daffodils, it’s terribly unfair to them. I feel sorry for myself, because I thought I was done wearing 5,348 layers while riding. I feel sorry for my horses, who thought it was naked rolling in the mud season. I should have known this would happen when I was enjoying a snow-free February. We jinxed it.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Pine Top Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Exmoor H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Stable View H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

MeadowCreek Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Copper Meadows H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/RideTimes/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

A bake sale to fund your competition expenses for Rolex CCI4*? Rolex rookie Madeline Backus hails from Colorado, and is heading towards her first four-star this spring with her mare, PS Arianna. To help with her expenses with the whole venture, Madeline is going old school, and having a bake sale at the Exmoor Horse Trials this weekend. She will be selling homemade dog and horse treats, as well as homemade bread (you know you want to carb load for the event!). Make sure you find her if you’re at Exmoor this weekend, and buy some tasty baked goods!

I can’t tell you how many times I talk about leg placement with my students. As any developing rider knows, sometimes your legs go wandering astray from “home base” right behind the girth, and can cause some real problems with your riding. The perfect lower leg is strong enough and effective enough from right behind the girth to provide just the right amount of pressure at the right time. Equitation riders are all over this, and share a few tips and exercises to practice the three leg positions. [Master The Three Leg Positions]

Do you prefer mares? You’re not alone as San Diego based dressage trainer Rebecca Rigdon-Blake is switching it up with a strong preference for the ladies in a sport that historically favors stallions. Rebecca loves mares for herself, but also admits that they aren’t always the most amateur friendly due to their keen memories and sensitive natures. However, she believes (as I do) that we should work harder to be sympathetic to the difficulties associated with working with mares, as they’re not so different to working with women. [Geldings No Longer Preferred]

Best of Blogs: Slow and Steady

Hot on HN: Alternate Careers in the Horse Industry

 

 

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Valegro’s Rocking Horse

By on Mar 15, 2017 5:30 pm -

Dean Golding might get a gold star for being the most thoughtful horse husband (well, technically, fiancé) of all time.

When the horse girl in your life is none other than Charlotte Dujardin, the typical suggestions for “gifts for equestrians” are probably a bit superfluous. When your lady throws a leg over a horse like Valegro, wins a bunch of Olympic medals and rewrites the record books, giving her a gift like a dressage-themed iPhone case or a personalized saddle pad just doesn’t quite feel like the grand gesture such an equestrian perhaps deserves.

So Golding set out to find the ultimate gift for his fiancée — something unique that would immortalize a once-in-a-lifetime horse while showing the rider in his life that he not only understood the place horses held in her world but accepted it as part of her identity. Golding’s solution: a one-of-a-kind custom heirloom-quality rocking horse, handcrafted in Valegro’s image by the masters of the craft, Stevenson Brothers Rocking Horses.

The final product was unveiled at Olympia as a surprise for Charlotte as she, Carl Hester and the rest of Team Valegro formally retired the superstar horse.

Well done, Dean. Hats off to Stevenson Brothers for their impeccable craftsmanship in creating this exquisite rocking horse to memorialize the incredible Valegro, and we hope the model will continue to rock for generations to come.

Follow Stevenson Brothers on Facebook for more unique rocking horse creations.

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7 More Everyday Things Eventers Saw and Thought ‘I Bet I Could Jump That’

By on Mar 15, 2017 2:44 pm -

Eventers are visionaries. They see the world in a different way from their un-horsey brethren. For eventers, even the most mundane everyday object can suddenly seem full of potential … to be jumped.

It’s a unique quirk of the imagination that we have explored here in the past (see also, Yeah, I’d Jump That Thing and 12 Everyday Things Eventers Saw and Thought ‘I Bet I Could Jump That’.) Today we visit the concept: Would you jump these?

When you spot a jump at the airport. ✈️ #eventerproblems #eventersolutions A photo posted by Liz Rodriguez (@earnold89) on

Go Eventing.

US Equestrian Names Potential Selection Trials for 2018 World Equestrian Games

By on Mar 15, 2017 11:49 am -
Boyd Martin and Welcome Shadow. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

Boyd Martin and Welcome Shadow competing last year at Pau CCI4*, which is expected to be named a US Equestrian Selection Trial for WEG. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

US Equestrian has named the potential selection trials for the 2018 World Equestrian Games. This list is awaiting final approval from the US Equestrian International Discipline Council and the US Equestrian Board of Directors. We will update this post when the selection trials have been finalized.

2017

Kentucky CCI4* (USA) – April 27-30
Badminton CCI4* (GBR) – May 4-7
Tattersalls CCI3* (IRE) – May 31-June 4
Bramham CCI3* (GBR) – June 8-11
Bromont CCI3* (CAN) – June 8-11
Luhmühlen (GER) – June 15-18
The Event at Rebecca Farm CCI3* (USA) – July 20-23
Millstreet CCI3* (IRE) – Aug. 24-27
Burghley CCI4* (GBR) – Aug. 31-Sept. 3
Blenheim CCI3* (GBR) – Sept. 14-17
Boekelo CCI3* (NED) – Oct. 5-8
Fair Hill International CCI3* (USA) – Oct. 10-15
Pau CCI4* (FRA) – Oct. 25-29
Galway Downs CCI3*(USA) – Nov. 2-5

2018 

Kentucky CCI4* (USA) – April 26-29
Badminton CCI4* (GBR) – May 3-6
Jersey Fresh CCI3* (USA) – May 10-13
Tattersalls CCI3* (IRE) – May 30-June 3
Bramham CCI3* (GBR) – June 7-10
Bromont CCI3* (CAN) – June 7-10
Luhmühlen (GER) – June 14-17

The final list of Selection Trials will be published as part of the approved Eventing Selection Procedure for the 2018 Word Equestrian Games. The selection process will be consistent with that used for the 2016 Olympic Games and will be published on usef.org.

Additional selection trials may be added to this list, with a notification of additional selection trials made at least 30 days prior to the competition. The eventing portion of the 2018 World Equestrian Games will be held September 13-16, 2018.

British Eventing to Pilot Risk Ratings System in 2017 Season

By on Mar 15, 2017 9:20 am -
Lauren Kieffer and Landmark's Monte Carlo at Wellington. Photo by Smidge Photography.

Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo competing in an Advanced section at Wellington Horse Trials in England in 2015. Photo by Spidge Photography.

British Eventing announced today that the organization will pilot the EquiRatings Quality Index (ERQI) at specific levels in the 2017 season. Chris Farr, British Eventing Sport Operations Manager, called ERQI “one of the most important developments in risk management seen in the sport, possibly ever.”

ERQI measures cross country risk by creating profiles for horses and tracking their individual performances. Based on collected data, the horse is assigned a numeric value for each level of competition that indicates the likelihood of that horse completing cross country without faults.

The ratings are easy to understand using a “traffic light” color code reflective of the numerical values. A green rating is satisfactory and the horse may compete at that level. An amber rating means the combination meets the minimum standard for the level but warns of increased risk. A red rating is insufficient and the combination does not meet the minimum standard to compete at that level.

The BE board signed off on the partnership earlier this month, and BE will now work closely with EquiRatings to analyze competition and results data from recent years to tailor ERQI specifically to eventing in Britain.

A limited trial is planned for later in the 2017 season to pilot the ERQI system at specific levels, possibly Novice, Intermediate and Advanced. BE’s goal will be to determine the resources and processes required to implement and run the full system across all levels of competition in future.

“This is an exciting new tool which will help riders make an informed decision, along with horse owners, about their horse’s form — on top of the horse’s Minimum Eligibility Requirements — as to whether a horse should progress to next level or not,” BE National Safety Officer Jonathan Clissold said.

EquiRatings Managing Director Diarmuid Byrne added: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside British Eventing and its membership as we tackle together the complex issue of risk in the sport. We are here to reduce falls, and more specifically horse falls, by helping riders and management track form and understand risk.

“We have a hugely exciting and growing sport and we hope through ERQIs we can continue to make it as safe as it can possibly be for all the BE membership.”

British Eventing will become the second National Federation to use the ERQI system. The first, Eventing Ireland, saw a 56% reduction in horse falls at the national two- and three-star levels in 2016, with a 66% reduction in horse falls at the national two-star level alone.

The USEA is also exploring implementing the ERQI system and has been sharing data with EquiRatings for several months, with a goal to introduce new associated member services in the near future.

“At this point in time we envision our members signing into their USEA online services account and having access to a straightforward ERQI score associated with each registered horse on their profile,” USEA CEO Rob Burk told EN. “Additional interesting analytics are also possible and we are working with EquiRatings to look at all of the possibilities.”

EN published an extensive piece on ERQI last month, so click here to read more about this game-changing system. Click here to read more about ERQI on the EquiRatings website.

[British Eventing partner with sports data analytics company EquiRatings]

[EquiRatings Quality Index Uses Risk Analysis for a Safer Sport]

Wednesday News & Notes from FLAIR Nasal Strips

By on Mar 15, 2017 12:01 am -
Wrangling ponies in the storm. Photo via NYPD Special Ops Twitter account. Wrangling ponies in the storm. Photo via NYPD Special Ops Twitter account.

Even these little guys were looking for relief from the storm yesterday. It wasn’t the biggest storm we’ve ever had, but it was certainly nasty, with howling winds and a layer of ice. Just when I think I wish my horses were home from their southern digs, Mother Nature has a way of reminding me why they stay in Aiken through the end of March.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Pine Top Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Exmoor H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Stable View H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

MeadowCreek Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Copper Meadows H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/RideTimes/Live Scores]

Your Wednesday News & Notes:

Your event photographer might be doing more for the safety of the sport than you imagined. In a well written blog, British-based event photographer Katie Mortimore explains why she keeps the shutter clicking during refusals and falls instead of turning away. The data her photo series produces is invaluable to officials and fence judges when deciding disputes over jump or flag penalties, crucial to the determination of horse falls, and valuable to both riders as a learning too and vets and doctors when treating victims of falls. Despite not using any of these photos for financial gain, photographers play a crucial role in the growing desire to prevent accidents by providing more and more data. [Keep Clicking]

The Fork is looking for volunteers for their April FEI event. For the first year ever, The Fork is being held at Tryon Equestrian Center. As the final prep before Rolex, many of the biggest riders bring their best horses, testing them before their four-star. Buck, Boyd, Phillip, and many others are all already listed on the entry list. Come volunteer and see the best of the best go! It’s easy to sign up through the new volunteer portal, Eventing Volunteers. [Volunteer for The Fork]

Jackie Potts likely knows William Fox-Pitt’s yard better than he does. After running his yard for more than 25 years, Jackie can keep it running like clockwork even when the vet, physio, and farrier are all there at the same time. She came for a week-long job and never left. [22 Unmissable Facts]

SmartPak Product of the Day: I’m trying so hard to not just run my credit card while my horses aren’t even here, but it’s so tempting when we have awesome 15% off sales from SmartPak! Their Bloom Sale runs through Thursday night, and offers 15% off products, with another 5% if you are a USEF member. [SmartPak]

Tuesday Video from SpectraVET: Eventer Beach Takeover!

By on Mar 14, 2017 4:00 pm -
Screenshot showing the whole Nashville, TN, crew who recently enjoyed an outing at Amelia Island. Screenshot showing the whole Nashville, TN, crew who recently enjoyed an outing at Amelia Island.

Galloping along a sun-drenched beach with the sparkling surf lapping at your horse’s feet … that’s the stuff of equestrian fantasy, especially this time of the year.

Grace Netter sent us this video of her and her fellow eventing cohorts turning their beach gallop dreams into reality at Amelia Island in Jacksonville, FL. Grace’s trainer Claire Tyner, riding Harvey, along with trainer Lauren Romanelli, riding Pippin, took their four working students on a field trip to the beach at Amelia Island while stationed for the winter in Ocala, FL.

From left to right: Elena Carmichael, Liz Lewis, Natalie Burkhart, Caroline Burkhart, Grace Netter and Lauren Romanelli. Photo by Claire Tyner.

From left to right: Elena Carmichael, Liz Lewis, Natalie Burkhart, Caroline Burkhart, Grace Netter and Lauren Romanelli. Photo by Claire Tyner.

“Originally out of Nashville, TN, you can imagine that it’s not often we get to ride on the beach, so we took it by storm,” says Grace, who is mounted on Hannah Brandt’s Oliver. “This video has everything you can imagine from an eventer beach takeover! What more do eventers love to do than gallop?

“Me, Claire and Lauren separated from the group for a quick gallop down the open beach. You can hear my giddy laugh/giggle of pure joy as we gallop away, which is what makes me laugh about the video. It’s the pure love of what we do!”

Grace’s commentary during the video is pretty funny, and the scenery is of course breathtaking!

“On the gallop back you can see towards the end that we all hit a wave/sandbar, which causes my horse to trip — you can see my head go down,” she explains. “I lost my stirrup during it, and the funniest part is probably the commentary at the end telling the other working students not to tell the trainers I had lost it. I guess they know now after watching the video!”

Check it out:

Fun! All around the world, it seems, eventers are taking to the beach to get their gallops in. Earlier in the year we shared this footage of Jock Paget training “Kiwi style” on the beach, and four-star British eventer Ben Hobday just posted this video to his Instagram as well. Pro tip: It’s best listened to with the volume cranked up!

Go Eventing. And if you can go to the beach, do that, too!

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Product Review: Horseware Winter Nina Breeches

By on Mar 14, 2017 2:30 pm -
The winter breeches go excellently with the padded vest from Horseware. Photo by Owie Samuels.

The Winter Nina Breeches go excellently with the Maya Padded Vest from Horseware. Photo by Owie Samuels.

While everyone is familiar with Horseware Ireland in terms of their excellence in blankets for horses, I for one was not acquainted with their line of clothing for people, and therefore was very excited to see what it was all about. Having used their turnout rugs for years now, my bar was set high for attention to detail, durability and comfort. Just in time for some cold weather, I received some of their Winter Collection, and wasn’t disappointed.

First I tried the Winter Nina Ladies Breeches, which are specifically designed to keep you cozy in the cold months with a light fleece lining on the inside. I’ve always been skeptical of fleece lined pants, as I’ve tried a few that made me feel rather bulky, and I was disappointed with the overall experience. These pants, however, are incredibly soft on your skin, and feel like the natural material of any other pair of breeches, but they definitely keep me warm. I wore them on several sub-20 days, and my thighs didn’t lose feeling once!

These winter breeches are also lovely on the outside, as they’re clearly constructed with intimate detail and durability in mind. They come in a blue jean color, but they also somewhat remind me of my favorite pair of slightly stretchy regular jeans in the fit, and I really liked that. They are mostly made of polyester material, but with just enough spandex in there to give you a really custom fitting feel.

A picture of the detailing on the back pockets. Photo by Owie Samuels.

A picture of the detailing on the back pockets. Photo by Owie Samuels.

I’m a breech snob, mostly because I wear breeches every single day all day except that one night when I go out into town and bother to change. Therefore, I’m into details that matter. I really appreciated that these breeches have seven evenly spaced belt loops, which means that your belt can properly do its job and keep your pants where you want them.

The loop on the very back is also wide reinforced, which means when you sit down, the pants do not pull back against a flimsy loop and leave you with the dreaded lower back gap (you know what I’m talking about). They fell about mid-rise on me, and while I always wear a belt with breeches, I think it would be recommended in general.

The Winter Nina Ladies Breech also comes with a variety of useful sized pockets, where you could feasibly store things and not regret it. A lot of breeches now come with only one or two pockets, and they’re only fit for three horse cookies at a time, but not this pair. There are two proper sized pockets up front, and two in the back, in which I can fit my entire hand. The zippers that you see on the picture above do not contain extra pockets, but with four functional ones, you should be pretty set.

FullSizeRender 18

The knee patches are made of a unique material called Daewoo. Photo by Owie Samuels.

These breeches come in either full seat or knee patch, and I tried the latter. I’m more comfortable in knee patch pants for the variety of horses I ride every day, and I really liked the soft but sticky material of the patches. It feels like a thicker version of suede, but in fact is a very specific material of Daewoo, which is unique to Horseware. 

Another detail that I find important for all day comfort is how the bottom of the pants fits around your ankle. The Winter Nina Breeches followed my favorite design and have a section of material at the bottom that is of the softest stretchy fabric. If you’re trying to make sure thank your ankles and legs stay happy throughout the day, no matter what the weather, this is the best design to have underneath your chaps or boots; it causes no chafing, doesn’t get bunched up and always fits no matter what your leg size.

The Winter Nina Breeches are about mid-rise. Photo by Owie Samuels.

The Winter Nina Breeches are about mid-rise. Photo by Owie Samuels.

Overall I found these pants to be incredibly comfortable, warm for winter weather, and constructed with the same attention to detail and design for durability that we’ve come to expect from Horseware. I would recommend these to amateur riders and professionals alike, as they’re incredibly stylish and cozy, but are also built to withstand significant use. You can find your nearest Horseware dealer online at the Horseware Ireland website.

#EventerProblems Vol. 107: You’re Doing It Wrong

By on Mar 14, 2017 11:30 am -

Eventing is tough. Sometimes, we get it right, but other times …

… you know. Here’s your latest batch of #EventerProblems.

Got the ponies hacked ⛈ #eventerproblems #weeffedup

A post shared by Zara Flores-Kinney (@thefeanarion) on

How we do fitness work in Vermont after a snow storm – #sassypackypony #eventerproblems #seventhheavenfarmvt

A post shared by Kate Drake (@katedrakevt) on

The struggle is real. #dorado #ottb #lazyhorse #eventerproblems #fivemoreminutes #spradlinglife2017 #latergram @adsprad

A post shared by Erica Spradling (@xbetterbesocialx) on

We agree about mornings … #illjusthitsnoozeoncemore #goldenhour

A post shared by Julie Slifko (@jslifko) on

and so the process begins #hurtssogood #eventerproblems #mycalvesarealreadythrobbing

A post shared by Kate Drake (@katedrakevt) on

Doesn’t look sketchy at all! #holdmybeer #longboardfarm #eventerproblems

A post shared by Katie Malensek (@kmalensek) on

#failfriday baby horse says no.

A post shared by jmk (@ottbs_n_pitties) on

22 To be continued

When your pony gets excited and decides the 1 stride is a bounce #eventerproblems #eventersofinstagram

A post shared by Amy (@amy_horse_training) on

One of these things is not like the others…. #OTTB #horse #thoroughbred #eventerproblems #equestrian

A post shared by Victoria Magliaro (@vmagliaro) on

Picking up my kid from school early in riding boots and no socks. #eventerproblems #fashinista

A post shared by jmcelhaney (@jmcelhaney) on

Hanging with my homie soaking an abscess #eventerproblems #poormacky @rmsaklar @claire_n_mac

A post shared by Kelsey Jenkins (@jenxkels) on

Wearing breeches to school because well… #eventerproblems #ottb #collegelife

A post shared by Erica Hancock (@ehancock95) on

Go Eventing.

What’s in Your Ring? with Erin Pullen, Presented by Attwood

By on Mar 14, 2017 9:00 am -

What’s in Your Ring? 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.

This week’s edition comes from Erin Pullen of Go Big Eventing in Shelbyville, KY. Erin and her two-star horse Tag are off to a flying start in 2017, finishing second in the Open Intermediate at Poplar Place February H.T. and aiming for Chattahoochee Hills in April. She has several young horses whom she is readying to compete as well. 

Image courtesy of Erin Pullen.

Image courtesy of Erin Pullen.

For me, the quality of my horse’s canter, his straightness and our pace are the keys to producing a flowing and fault free show jumping round. As a partnership we have been schooling to eliminate our mutual tendency to accelerate and rush through related distances.

To start, I set up two verticals, 72’ feet or 5 strides, with the jumps set at 2’9 to 3’. I begin by cantering the first vertical, then immediately ask for a halt, making sure that I sit into the halt and in a straight line. I rein back a few steps, maintaining straightness, then ask for canter, jumping the second vertical in six strides. I will repeat this exercise as many as a half dozen times until I can consistently do the exercise in a relaxed and obedient manner.

Image courtesy of Erin Pullen.

Image courtesy of Erin Pullen.

Next I raise the jumps to between 3’6 and 4’. Now the goal is to do both verticals in a smooth and flowing 5 strides. To achieve that, I carry a little more pace through the ends of the arena, as opposed to accelerating within the line.

Finally, I confirm the exercise by jumping a course remembering to keep the forward and quality of the canter through the ends of the arena. This exercise has improved my show jumping rounds by reducing my or my horse’s inclination to speed up through the line. (resulting in a herky jerky looking and feeling course, and not the flowing one I want. It also helps me relax through the course, reducing any tendency I might have to get too busy adjusting and setting up.If I do my part in maintaining a forward pace and keeping my lines straight, I can take a breath and enjoy the jump.

Image courtesy of Erin Pullen.

Image courtesy of Erin Pullen.

The same exercise can be modified for a lower level rider or young horse. Lower jumps can be set and can be trotted rather than cantered, but set to the same principles. Always making sure to do something organized and disciplined after the line, such as another halt.

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

David O’Connor – Attwood Equestrian Surfaces from Bold Horse Media on Vimeo.