Have you ever dreamed of galloping madly across clover-green Irish fields, hanging on for dear life over stone walls and ditches, in hot pursuit of fox and hound?
Some members of Norfolk Hunt Club, a drag hunt based in Dedham, Massachusetts, enjoyed the Valentine’s Day experience of a lifetime: an outing with Ireland’s legendary Galway Blazers.
This helmet cam’s narrator from Cooper’s Hill Equine sounds like quite the character, and you just want to reach out and grab a fistful of his mount’s wind-whipped mane. With hours of hunting consolidated into some 17 minutes of footage, the video gives a glimpse into an authentic mud-splattered, every-man-for-himself Irish hunting experience.
Eventing sidenote: Norfolk member Julie Wheeler was awarded the Charles Owen Technical Merit Award at the 2016 USEA Annual Meeting and Convention in December. Check out this lovely profile of Julie in Covertsidehere. Congrats, Julie!
No one has more St. Patrick’s Day spirit than our friends at Horseware. They’ve gone all out to investigate an old Gaelic legend involving small, mythical creatures living near an Irish castle in the land of “Tir Eoghain.” Are the magical creatures as lucky as they say? More importantly, are Shetland ponies dressed up like leprechauns as ridiculously adorable as you imagine they will be?
If you want to win the cooler featured in the video, “like” the video on Horseware’s Facebook page and answer this question in the comments section: How many wishes must a magical creature grant in order to receive their freedom? What would your one Horseware wish be?
Winners will be announced on Wednesday, March 22. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
The breed has come out on top in WBFSH/Rolex’s FEI point based ranking system every year since 2004 with two exceptions, 2010 and 2011, when it was temporarily unseated by the Hanoverian Verband and Studbook Selle Français respectively.
Last year, once again, the Irish horses needed no luck to land the no. 1 spot. The top five eventing studbooks on the 2016 WBFSH/Rolex final ranking list, released in September:
After being absent from the 2014 list, horses competing under the American flag made a reappearance at the top of the 2015 list, led by Cambalda (#9), Loughan Glen (#15) and Master Frisky (#17). Two of Phillip Dutton’s rides made the 2016 cut: Mighty Nice (#2, the highest placed ISH in the WBFSH rankings) and Fernhill Fugitive (#29).
Mighty Nice, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Ard Ohio out of Sarazen, was bred by William Kells of Co. Cavan. Owned by the HND Group, needs little introduction. “Happy” was Phillip Dutton’s Rio Olympic partner, helping him earn an individual bronze medal for Team USA. He also finished fourth at Rolex Kentucky in 2016, marking his third finish in the top 10 at the North American CCI4*. The icing on the cake of their stellar year was being named USEF International Horse of the Year.
Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Fernhill Fugitive, a 2005 gelding by Lux Z out of Barnadown Ramiro, owned by Thomas Tierney and Ann Jones, was ranked #29 on the list. His 2016 performance highlights included a 13th place finish at Rolex and wins in the Red Hills CIC3* and Galway Downs CCI3*. He was bred by Maurice Cousins of Co. Wexford.
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Who are some other Irish Sport Horses at the top of eventing sport? In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, here’s a not-at-all-exhaustive list of other ISHs that broke into the 2016 top 1,500 or so top ranked event horses (see complete list here):
Tim Price and Ringwood Sky Boy. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Oliver Townend and ODT Ghareeb at Blair Castle. Photo by Samantha Clark.
Nicola Wilson and Annie Clover. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Dani Evans’ Smart Time. Photo by Samantha Clark.
Oliver Townend and MHS King Joules. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Pietro Roman and Barraduff. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Aoife Clark and Wasting Light. Photo by Samantha Clark.
Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Clare Abbott and Euro Prince at the 2014 World Equestrian Games. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Emma Dougall and Fernhill Tabasco (AUS). Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Kylie Lyman and Lup the Loop. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Kylie Lyman and Sacramento. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Buck Davidson and Copper Beach. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Lauren Billys and Castle Larchfield Purdy. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Holly Woodhead and DHI Lupison. Photo by Samantha Clark.
Hannah Sue Burnett and Cooley Dream. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Paul Tapner and Kilronan. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Caroline Martin and Spring Easy. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Jordan McDonald and Prince Mayo. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Camilla Speirs and Portersize Just A Jiff. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Kim Severson and Fernhill Fearless. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Bill Levett and Shannondale Titan. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Sharon White and Cooley on Show. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Matt Brown and Supersocks BCF at the 2015 Boekelo CCI3*. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Oliver Townend and Cooley SRS. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Gabriel Figueiredo Silva Curry and Grass Valley. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Katherine Coleman and Longwood. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Willa Newton and Neelix. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Kurt Martin and Delux Z. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Buck Davidson and The Apprentice. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Alexandra Baugh and Ballingowan Pizazz. Photo by JJ Sillman.
Ashley Johnson and Tactical Maneuver. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Ellen Svennerstal and Southway. Photo by Samantha Clark.
Tim Price and Bango. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Heather Morris and Charlie Tango. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Sam Watson and Horseware Bushman. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Evelina Bertoli and Leitrim Orient Express. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Clara Cargile and White Indian. Photo by Sportfot.
Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Tom Crisp and Coolys Luxury. Photo by Jenni Autry.
#113. Joseph Murphy and Sportsfield Othello for Ireland. Photo by Samantha Clark.
Jon Holling and Kildalton Cooley. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Luca Roman and Castlewoods Jake. Photo by Samantha Clark.
Mike Huber and Russell’s Reserve. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Jim Newsman and Magennis
Peter Flarup and CTS Twin Peaks. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Jenny Caras and Fernhill Fortitude. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Will Coleman and Off the Record. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Bill Levett and Improvise. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Go Irish Sport Horses, and Go Eventing!
Welcome to EN’s fourth annual Rolex Rookies series! We’re thrilled to be profiling the new faces heading to Rolex this year, and we couldn’t be more excited for these riders taking their first crack at Kentucky. We’ll be bringing you exclusive profiles on each rookie pair, so keep checking back to learn more about the competitors you’ll see at Rolex.
Madeline Backus and P.S. Ariana. Photo by Jenni Autry.
“Ever since I first understood what it was, Rolex has always been my dream,” says Madeline Backus, who at age 21 is gearing up for her four-star debut in April. Her partner is P.S. Arianna, a mare that her farrier bred, her mother Laura started, and Madeline got for her 10th birthday when “Ari” was six.
Fresh off a fourth place finish in the Red Hills CIC3* last weekend, all systems are go for this talented pair. If you’re going to be at the inaugural Exmoor Horse Trials in Ocala this weekend, be sure to stop by Madeline’s bake sale, where she will be selling homemade dog and horse treats as well as bread to help defray the expense of getting to Rolex.
We recently caught up with Madeline for an update!
EN: You and Ariana have come ALL the way up the levels together. Did you ever dream you’d be aiming her at Rolex?
MB: Arianna and I have grown up together, and she has taken on every question I have asked her, and what a learning experience it has been. Yes, I’ve always imagined taking my mighty mare to Rolex, but I don’t think you truly know if a horse is going to make it there until it happens.
In 2011, Ari had an injury that she wasn’t supposed to come back from, but we persevered thanks to all of the amazing vets who have helped Ari heal and stay in top form, and I am grateful for everything she has given me since. Ari loves her job and I believe in her. I’ve also had some fantastic guidance from amazing people to help me reach my goals and dreams.
EN: What does Rolex mean to you? This will be your first time as a rider, but I assume you’ve attended before as a spectator?
MB: I have actually only attended Rolex once when I was 7 years old. I bought my first competition cross country saddle pad there, and I remember spending time with my mom and Kim Walnes near the Gray Goose’s grave, which was special to me because Sylvester was one of my favorite movies at that time.
I am well known for wearing pink on cross country, and that originates back to this saddle pad. Yes, this saddle pad was bright yellow with pink trim and rainbow flowers all over it. Of course as a kid, I wanted ALL of the colors to be my cross country colors, but my mom told me I could only pick three.
I promised myself that I would wear pink when I got to Rolex, and well, here I am! Thank goodness I have toned it down a little since then. You couldn’t miss me on cross country!
Madeline at age 7 with her “wild colored saddle pad” riding P.S. Mystical Magic. Photo courtesy of Madeline Backus.
Rolex is something I have always had as a long term goal since I first attended at age 7, and I can’t believe it is now a short term goal. It has changed from being one of my dreams, to becoming a reality.
It means that my horse and I have worked hard and are truly partners as we compete at the highest level in the sport. It goes to show that you can never give up. Even though we all know this sport has the highest highs, and lowest lows, you have to keep chasing after your end goals and reaching for your dreams.
I am incredibly lucky to have gotten to where I am, and am so grateful for everyone who has helped and supported me along the way.
EN: Are you getting butterflies when you think about it, or does it feel like just another event in the progression?
MB: Both! It is definitely the next step, and when I actually think about what’s about to happen, there are butterflies in my stomach for sure.
Madeline Backus and P.S. Arianna. Photo by Jenni Autry.
EN: How have your winter/spring preparations been going? Have you been focusing on anything in particular or stepping up her fitness? What is your plan for the next month?
MB: Just coming off of Red Hills, I can say that my winter preparations are going pretty well! I am gradually upping Ari’s fitness to make sure she peaks at Rolex. We are always working on our dressage, so I will be doing as much dressage as I can, hopefully including a dressage show before we head to Chatt Hills to compete at the Advanced there as our final preparation.
I am so thankful for Missy Ransehousen and all of the help she has given me, and everyone at Blue Hill Farm, and I wouldn’t be where I am without my mom Laura Backus and the whole Pendragon Stud Equestrian Center team. It was also very educational to be a part of the Emerging Athletes training session for my second year, and spend time learning from Leslie Law and getting to know all of the other great riders who made the list.
EN: Last but not least, you’ve been busy baking! Tell us about that.
MB: Yes, I really enjoy baking. It’s one of those things that I like to do to help get my mind off of things. Usually those around me don’t complain too much!
My specialty is bread, but I am willing to give any recipe a go. I am going to be bringing a variety of baked goods including horse and dog treats to Richard and Daisy’s Trayfords Exmoor Horse Trials this weekend to sell as a fundraiser for my trip to Rolex.
Homemade bread, yum! Photo courtesy of Madeline Backus.
Best of luck to Madeline and Ari, and keep it locked on EN for all the latest news in the leadup to Rolex 2017!
Seriously you guys, TGIF. Photo from “A Pony Known As Satan” FB.
We did it, you guys. We have almost made it to the end of the first week of hell daylight savings time. I don’t know about the rest of you all, but this week has felt like death. The loss of sleep combined with the wacky light at the end of the day (what’s happening) and topped off by some bitter cold that seems like it’s a little misplaced seeing as it’s not “winter” anymore, I’m about toast. I’m like an iPhone running on 10% battery, you should stop asking me to do complicated things like answer questions coherently, and just place me somewhere dark and quiet until I can recharge.
Join Retired Racehorse Project for a Hoedown at Hagyard! The party gets started after Rolex cross country with open bar, catering from Red State BBQ and the musical talents of Steve Norman and the Shades of Grass Band. Join in the Equicizer races, or just bet on them! April 29th, 6pm onwards, at the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute across from the Kentucky Horse Park, tickets are $35 for RRP Members and $50 for non-members. Also, let me reiterate: open bar. [Buy Tickets Here]
One of the biggest training hurdles you can face with young 4-year-olds is correctly teaching them to move forward into your hand. Although it sounds quite simple, this fundamental skill must be developed at an early age. It is necessary for them to learn this if they’re going to successfully continue their training progress. International event rider Will Faudree, who has brought many horses up the ranks of eventing, likes to introduce this concept in a simple manner, and one that is easy for the horse to begin to understand. [Young Horse Training: ‘Closing Your Leg Doesn’t Mean Go Faster’]
Give me boots that are stylish enough to wear in town but also useful enough to wear in the barn, and I’m sold. An unabashed boot collector, it’s part of my self assigned job to snoop out great deals on cool boots. These Solstice Classic Tall Leather Boot by Smartpak are definitely on my list, and they just went on a crazy sale, from $189 to $75!! Get you some, girl, treat yo’self. [SmartPak Product of the Day]
KER ClockIt™ Sport – Session of the Week
In the ClockIt session below, the rider is taking their horse through its first conditioning sets day of the spring season. The field had some rolling hill and flat sections within it, as you can see from the blue line on the chart.
As you can see, the horse’s heart rate increases each time it goes up a hill, despite little change in speed. By using a hill, riders can easily raise their horse’s heart rate into a higher conditioning zone without the need for extreme speed.
Multiple KER treadmill studies have shown that exercising horses on an incline greatly increases work intensity as measured by oxygen consumption, heart rate, and lactate production. These studies have shown that at a canter speed, a 1% increase in grade increases a horse’s heart rate 6 bpm—the same effect on heart rate as increasing speed 35m/min on a level treadmill. Therefore, equal heart rates can be obtained by cantering horses on a 6% grade at 490 m/min as from galloping on the flat at 700 m/min.
To see a detailed report like the one above, go to the KER ClockIt website and log in to your account. Once you are signed in, you can view your detailed sessions under the “Sessions” tab.
Waiting for Rolex entries is like waiting for Santa Claus to come — it seems like time stands still while we’re waiting to find out what big names and rising stars will be galloping across the Kentucky bluegrass. As the moment we’ve all been waiting for is about to arrive, we dare we say it’s almost better than Christmas.
Here’s a look at the cycle the EN team goes through waiting for Rolex entries to go live.
1. Patience is not our strong suit
Seriously, once it starts getting closer to March, Rolex is just about all we can think about. Seeing riders posting photos of their entry forms on social media only fuels the fire as we desperately await the publication of the list.
2. Massive anxiety
Names of horses and riders are spinning through your head at an alarming rate while you’re imagining your ideal Rolex entry list. Will anyone de-throne reigning champion Michael Jung? Can an American finally take the win? There’s so many possibilities … if only the list would post so you would know who will be making an appearance.
3. Obsessive compulsive refreshing
Each morning (and several times throughout the day thereafter), we load the Rolex website and begin our refreshing regimen. Every 10 minutes or so is a satisfactory refresh rate, but Chinch has been madly refreshing at a rate we’re too ashamed to admit.
4. Our inner stalker comes out in full force
We don’t have the entry list yet, but we’ve been confirming with riders all year about whether or not they will be entering. As we countdown to the moment when the entries finally post, our obsessive compulsive stalking in the results databases has already begun. We must find out every detail about the entrants’ competition history.
It surely can’t be that much longer, right? Keep it locked on EN, your official #RK3DE headquarters!
Editor's Note: Sometimes we find posts in the archives that are too good not to share again. We originally shared this video back in 2013 in honor of the 20th anniversary of the 1993 North American Young Rider Championships. In the spirit of Throwback Thursday, here it is once again.
“It’s August. It’s Wadsworth. Where are your teenagers? Out badmouthing your country and listening to punk rock music, I suppose. No! They’re at Temple Farms, site of the North American Young Rider Championships.”
Those are the opening lines to this fantastic video, which offers a look at the 1993 NAYRC in all its 90’s fabulousness at Temple Farms in Wadsworth, Illinois. The video opens with Paul Laschinski rocking a very 90’s hairstyle and a feather earring, flanked by Michael Barisone and Ralph Hill. Together, they offer commentary on pure dressage, eventing and pure show jumping.
If you want to skip straight to the eventing like I did, jump ahead to the 14:13 minute mark. This footage was shot long before the days of the one-fall rule, so you’ll see plenty of riders clawing their way back into the saddle after taking a spill. There are plenty of familiar faces in the video, including a young Gina Miles 15 years before she won an individual Olympic silver medal.
Here’s a look at the order in which the riders and their horses appear in the video:
Erika Radtke and Maker’s Mark Matthew Brown and Maximum Speed Trudy Race and Our Trilby Kenneth Dierks and Greystone Amy Slayter and Renaissant Rumsey Gilbert and Night Train Mara DePuy and Hopper Gina Ostini and Southbound Aaron Thomson and Winds of Time Virginia Jenkins and Talisman
EN’s good friend Laura Szeremi AKA Bad Eventer recently had the opportunity to participate in a clinic with LandSafe, whose Landsafe Rider Fall Safety System training program is designed to teach the best practices of fall prevention and response. (Despite what Laura would have you believe, she is actually a very very good eventer!) Laura was kind enough to share her experience with EN. You can keep up with Laura via her blog, Tales from a Bad Eventer, here.
Editor’s Note: LandSafe believes participants should learn to clear the head and neck properly first before introducing a helmet and vest. EN strongly recommends wearing a helmet at all times when mounted on a horse.
All photos courtesy of Laura Szeremi
I admit it. I’ve ALWAYS wanted to ride a mechanical bull.
Always.
But every time I’ve had the opportunity, my thoughts went something like “I could get hurt and not be able to ride tomorrow” or “The individual running it might be drunk and could get me killed” or “I ride dangerous horses in a dangerous sport, I should probably stick to that.”
In the end I reasoned that if I got hurt doing something so stupid I just couldn’t live with it, and I’ve managed to talk myself out of it every single time.
Besides mechanical bulls, I’m also obsessed with safety in our sport and particularly rider and horse falls. The fact that I’ve had a serious fall and own some extensive facial hardware thanks to it …
… may or may not have something to do with my passion on the topic.
I read every single safety article, study reference and video review, and I comb through all the data I can find. I LOVE data. So when I saw the LandSafe team set up at Ocala Horse Trials …
… I could see from across the park that they had a mechanical horse set up to simulate falls. I nearly sprinted over there.
Bad Eventer had found her chance to finally justify getting on that “mechanical bull”! This was about safety! And I get to fall off a mechanical horse onto a super soft landing.
I could NOT sign up fast enough! And the Bad Event Groom got volun-told to sign up with me!
As excited as I was to sign up for the LandSafe clinic, I really am a big chicken. And of course the first step: liability waiver. BadEventer = Massive scaredy cat.
Fortunately they have a plan for that, and didn’t just toss us off the mechanical horse first thing!
But before I tell you the rest of my story, some real talk.
Safety in our sport and reducing rider risk is such an important topic to me that I’m going to make a rare exception to the BadEventer No-Real-Names rule. The BadEventer stories have never used real names. Full disclosure, many of the “identifying details” of characters I describe are often changed to protect the innocent, or the not-so-innocent, in my tales.
So let me introduce for the first time some real names.
This is about safety.
And reducing rider risk.
And saving lives. So let’s start with the decidedly NOT fun part of this story.
Nikita Sotskov, Philippa Humphreys, Caitlyn Fischer, Olivia Inglis, Guillaume Pucci, Sabrina Manganaro, Francisco Seabra, Benjamin Winter, Jordan McDonald, Cathal O’Malley, Tom Gadsby, Bruno Bouvier, Sebastian Steiner, Robin Donaldson, Elena Timonina, Dirk Grouwels, Ian Olding, Jade South, Emma Jonathan, Stephen Moore, Karen Rodgers, Franz Graf, Shannon Bloomfield, Eleanor Brennan, Maia Boutanos, Tina Richter-Vietor, Anke Wolfe, Elin Stalberg, Julie Silly, Jo-Anne Williams, Amelie Cohen, Amanda Bader, Kim Hyung Chil, Sherelle Duke, Caroline Pratt, William Booth, Cindy Burge, Samantha Hudson, Rhonda Mason, Mark Myers, Jemima Johnson, Peter McLean, Simon Long, Polly Phillips, Robert Slade, Peta Beckett, Keith Taylor, David Foster, Tasha Khouzam, Roberta Scoccia, Linda Riddle, Amanda Warrington, Sam Moore, Anna Savage.
If you’ve been around our sport for any length of time, you’ll quickly recognize these names. These are riders who died while eventing.
I truly believe this can change and that we don’t need to add any more names to this list. There are multiple pieces and parts to examine when it comes to reducing risk. While course design, fence construction and qualifications get much deserved attention, safety is being suitably mounted on the “right horse” at the “right level” on the “right day.” In summation, nothing is more important to safety than rider responsibility.
Now that the not-fun part is over with, let me introduce the fabulous cast for the rest of this story. Cue the stage entrance music: the fabulous BadEvent Groom, Tegan Henderson …
… who is also an amazing artist! Check out this painting she did of the Zebrasaurus!
Joining us in the fun was the very talented rider Zachary Brandt.
Then we have the LandSafe creators and instructors Danny Warrington …
… and Keli Warrington.
The first day started with some stretching and concept introduction. This is where I remembered how incredibly BAD I was in gymnastics. As a child I was thrown out quit gymnastics after about two weeks due to my overall lack of aptitude for the discipline.
Fortunately you don’t have to be a world class gymnast to learn how to fall and we started slowly.
I fully admit when they said eventually we’d be doing “dive rolls” over a tower of mats, I didn’t think THAT was ever going to happen.
Shockingly, with plenty of fun and hilarity we all got there.
When we got to the horse we started slowly, with extra padding and a spotter. Zach was the first volunteer.
And when it was my turn, I was NOT disappointed!
The first time, in true BadEventer style, I landed on my head!
Boy is THAT a good reason to take the Landsafe Reducing Rider Risk clinic!
Learn more about LandSafe and view the upcoming clinic schedule here. Stay tuned to EN for a full report on LandSafe’s mission to save lives, reduce injuries and increase safety education of riders.
Jeanette Brakewell and Chill Out Bob at Burghley 2012. Photo by Samantha Clark.
In exciting news for UK riders, with the 2017 FEI European Championships at Strzegom looming, eventer Jeanette Brakewell, part of the silver medal-winning British teams at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, has joined the British Eventing senior selection panel.
The British Eventing Accredited Coach and UKCC Level 3 trainer joins Independent Chair of Senior Selectors Dan Hunt, BE Master Coach Gillian Watson, and former four-star event rider Sarah Bullen on the panel. Jeanette says her experience as a British team stalwart and Olympic medallist should stand her in good stead.
“I’ve been on a number of senior teams and understand the process from the rider’s perspective; I’m hoping that my own experiences as a rider make me more approachable as a selector, as selectors are often perceived as being more on the sidelines,” Jeanette says.
“The riders know that I’ve been in their shoes, and I like to think I can gain better feedback about what they’re thinking and what their feelings are. Their performances are what matters of course, but there are often tricky decisions concerning the last few members of a team. Obviously, we are looking to select a gold medal-winning team, and the team will pick itself due to performance.”
‘I will learn lots from the experience myself …’
Jeanette is of course still competing herself, but acknowledges that a current lack of horsepower puts her out of immediate contention for team selection. Her Badminton ride, Let’s Dance, fell at the Rolex Crossing last year, leaving Jeanette with broken ribs, and she says the horse will likely contest some CICs in a few months.
“We may do Burghley at the end of the season,” she tells us. Jeanette’s other promising ride, the rising 10-year-old Forever Red, is on her way to three-star, having contested Blenheim as an 8- and 9-year-old. “We’ll aim her for Bramham CIC or a CCI, depending on fitness. If I do find myself in a position to be in line [for the British team], I’d of course step down from the selection panel,” she says.
“I can enjoy watching the top combinations, including the riders from other nations — France for example are really knocking on the door at the moment — and I will learn lots from the experience. I have got the T-shirt myself, in terms of going through the selection process, so I hope I can add my own experience to the mix, and see as much as I can [in terms of recognising potential horse and rider combinations] when I am out competing.”
One cannot speak to Jeanette without enquiring about the legend that is Over to You, arguably one of the most medalled horses in British eventing history. In addition to winning team silver at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, “Jack” also carried Jeanette to individual silver and team bronze at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, as well as four team gold medals at the Europeans (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005).
So, what’s the secret to the 29-year-old equine superstar’s longevity?
“Jack’s still in work, and ‘nannies’ the young horses,” she tells us. “He regularly goes on the horse walker and is schooled, and works every day — that’s the key, working him gently, while he’s still sound. We recently went to Oasby Horse Trials with the novices, and took him along. We parked in a field by the cross country for a graze in-hand, and he was quite enthusiastic, shall we say! Work is the best way to keep him healthy, and he looks really good.”
We wish Jeanette and the new selection team all the best in their new four-year terms, as we move into the four-year Tokyo Olympiad and approach the Europeans in Poland.
Where there are #EventerProblems there are #EventerSolutions, as we horsefolks tend to be a pretty crafty, resourceful and frugal (read: broke) bunch.
In this spinoff series we spotlight some of your most inventive problem-solving masterpieces and determined DIY efforts. Be sure to tag your photos with the hashtag #EventerSolutions on social for inclusion in future editions!
