Classic Eventing Nation

Roof Torn from Texas Eventer’s Home in Valentine’s Day Tornado

By on Feb 17, 2017 1:00 pm -

On the morning of Feb. 14 — Valentine’s Day — severe weather moved through the area of Houston, Texas, with five tornadoes touching down between 8 a.m. and 8:45 a.m, according to the National Weather Service. One of these tornadoes tore through the property of Alayna Gnagy, an Area V eventer, destroying her home and damaging her barn and fencing.

Fortunately, Alayna had safely tucked her horses and donkey inside the barn before leaving for work that day, which may have ultimately saved their lives and kept them from harm. While the barn sustained damage, the horses weathered the storm safely. Alayna’s home, however, was not so lucky. The roof was torn off the house, somehow leaving Alayna’s dog “Jake From State Farm” unscathed inside.

Alayna's dog, Jack From State Farm, was thankfully uninjured in the tornado.

Alayna’s dog, Jack From State Farm, was thankfully uninjured in the tornado.

Alayna’s good friend Alyssa Walker explained the damage. “She is left with a ton of damage to her property, including downed pasture fences, debris littered everywhere, damage to the barn and her horse trailer and most importantly, no house or roof over her and her boyfriend’s head.”

The damage to the home — considered a total loss — is not covered by insurance.

Alayna competes her horse When Hoofbeats Echo at Training level at horse trials throughout Texas. A highlight of their partnership was competing at the 2015 Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships.

“Alayna took a $300 barely broke rescue horse and brought him up the levels of eventing,” Alyssa said. “She is a tough woman but I can’t even fathom the amount of stress she is under trying to get her life under control with nowhere to call home.

“Alayna is a humble person who does not ask for help on her own, but she is the first person to step up when someone else is needing.”

If you would like to assist Alayna in rebuilding her home and her property, please visit the YouCaring page set up in her name. The estimated cost for demolition of the existing home is $2,700. Any other funds raised will go towards a down payment to rebuild a new house.

Needville Feed and Supply also has an account in Alayna’s name for feed donations and fencing supplies.

Our thoughts are with Alayna and other families affected by the Valentine’s Day storms in Houston.

Jenni Autry contributed to this report.

FEI Eventing Risk Management Summit Addresses Next Steps for Safety

By on Feb 17, 2017 10:20 am -
Photo courtesy of ERA International Photo courtesy of ERA International

The FEI will put forward additional recommendations to bolster safety in eventing following last weekend’s Eventing Risk Management Summit held at Tattersalls in Ireland. The summit invited judges, trainers, athletes, technical delegates, risk management and technology experts, and National Safety Officers from 22 different countries; top course designers also attended.

David O’Connor, who chaired the summit, said the three-day event made “great strides forward” and exceeded his expectations. “To have such a wealth of experience and knowledge brought together to present, discuss and debate ideas, combined with an outside technical perspective, covering the fundamental role of data analysis and statistics, is a crucial step,” he said.

“The level of conversation was extremely high; everyone involved is fully committed to taking risk management to a continued and improved level, and I believe we are making great strides forward in minimizing risk.”

David moderated presentations and discussions to address topics in safety from the grassroots to the top level of the sport, including coaching, course design, fence construction, the athlete perspective, and the current and future roles of data and statistical analysis.

Andrew Nicholson and Chris Bartle, recently named the new coach for Great Britain, both gave presentations. Sam Watson and Diarm Byrne of EquiRatings led a discussion on the collection, use and communication of data and took the delegation through the EquiRatings Quality Index, which uses data to analyze and monitor athlete progression through the levels.

The course designers for the last three Olympic Games all attended — Pierre Michelet (Rio 2016), Sue Benson (London 2012) and Mike Etherington-Smith (Beijing 2008) — along with Ian Stark, who designed the track for the 2015 FEI European Championships at Blair Castle, Capt. Mark Phillips and Giuseppe Della Chiesa (ITA), who chairs the FEI Eventing Committee.

FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said the summit, which was organized as one the recommendations from the independent audit conducted last year by Charles Barnett, was “another important step in our work on minimizing risk.”

“The expert input of delegates from 22 nations around the world demonstrates the united aim of the FEI and the worldwide eventing community to make the sport as safe as possible for both our human and equine athletes,” she said. “We look forward to presenting and discussing recommendations of the Risk Management Steering Group at the Sports Forum in April.”

Once finalized by the Risk Management Steering Group, the recommendations from the summit will go forward to the FEI Eventing Committee. Recommendations will then be open for public discussion at the 2017 FEI Sports Forum on April 10-11 before being presented to the FEI Bureau at the 2017 General Assembly on November 18-21.

The FEI Eventing Risk Management Steering Group is made up of the following members:

  • David O’Connor (Chair), former FEI Bureau Member and Olympic eventing gold medalist in Sydney 2000
  • Mike Etherington-Smith (GBR), international cross country course designer and equestrian consultant
  • Daisy Berkeley (GBR), FEI Eventing athlete representative and international athlete
  • Rob Stevenson (CAN), former international athlete, cardiologist and Canadian National Safety Officer
  • Geoff Sinclair (AUS), FEI Eventing Technical Delegate and former President of the Australian Equestrian Federation
  • Staffan Lidbeck (SWE), FEI veterinarian and Swedish Eventing team coach
  • Laurent Bousquet (FRA), international eventing athlete and coach of the Japanese equestrian team
  • Philine Ganders (GER), FEI Level 3 Eventing Steward and member of the German National Federation

Full details on the FEI’s risk management work for eventing can be found on the FEI website at this link.

What improvements in regards to safety do you hope might come out of the FEI Eventing Risk Management Summit, EN? Discuss in the comments below.

$15,000 Eventing Prix Invitational Returning to Ocala

By on Feb 17, 2017 9:00 am -
Lynn Symansky and Donner. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Lynn Symansky and Donner competing in the Eventing Prix Invitational. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Mark your calendars for the $15,000 Ocala Horse Properties Eventing Prix Invitational, which will return to Southern Cross Equestrian on March 7 in Ocala, Florida. Now in its fourth year, the 1.30-meter show jumping class, held annually on the Tuesday before Red Hills International Horse Trials begins, has become a highlight of the early spring season.

Attracting top riders from all along the East Coast and even further west, the invitational, hosted by Scott Keach and Max Corcoran, is expected to once again draw large crowds of spectators. Between Marc Donovan returning as the course designer and riders competing in a nail-biting team format, it’s an event you can’t miss.

“The Eventing Prix Invitational is quite simply one of our favorite events every year,” Matt Varney of Ocala Horse Properties said. “The atmosphere is fantastic because it caters to any type of spectator and the show is so well run by Max and Scotty. Everyone should be putting this event on their social calendar.”

The action begins on Monday, March 6 at noon with a $1,000 Warm-Up Class sponsored by Doug Hannum Equine Therapy. All riders entered in the Eventing Prix Invitational can bring up to three horses to compete in this 1.15-meter speed class for $1,000 in prize money.

Matt Varney and Rob Desino of title sponsor Ocala Horse Properties with $15,000 Eventing Prix Invitational winner Lauren Kieffer.

Lauren Kieffer took the win last year. Can she defend the title in 2017? Photo by Jenni Autry.

The Eventing Prix Invitational will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 7. The team order of go will be drawn the night before the competition, with team captains deciding the order of go within their team. The first round determines the team winners, and the top 10 individuals from the first round will return for a jump-off to decide the overall winner.

The event is free and open to the public, and spectators are encouraged to bring a chair and a picnic. Food and drink will also be available for purchase on the grounds from Humble Pie Pizza and other area vendors.

“We enjoy having everyone at the farm, and it’s a fun day to watch the top international event riders and horses in a festive and educational environment for everyone,” Max said.

VIP tables are also available and include an open bar and food provided by Celebrations Catering. To reserve a VIP table, please contact Max at [email protected].

The event is generously sponsored by Ocala Horse Properties, Peak Performance, Woodmen Life, Stella’s Electric, Doug Hannum Equine Therapy and Wordley Martin Equestrian. (Sponsorship opportunities are still available.)

If you can’t be in Ocala to watch the Eventing Prix Invitational live, Joel Wiessner of EQTV Network once again will be live streaming the competition, and you can watch right here on EN. We hope to see you there! Southern Cross is located at 13440 NW Highway 225, Reddick, FL 32686.

Friday News & Notes from Nupafeed

By on Feb 17, 2017 12:03 am -
When you're prepping for your first Advanced... Photo from Chris Talley.

When you’re prepping for your first Advanced… Photo from Chris Talley.

Yesterday was my birthday, which of course meant that I basically did the same thing I do every day (wake up at 6, clean the barn, ride horses for 10 hours, clean the barn, eat food, fall half asleep in a chair) but it was special because I was reminded of all the different people I know from around the world through their Facebook well wishes. Social media can be a crazy place, but on your birthday, it can feel like a whole lotta love. That, and I got exclusively chocolate and/or booze themed gifts, so that feels like love too.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Rocking Horse Winter II H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Paradise Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Fresno County Horse Park CIC & H.T. [Website] [Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

The Farm House Tack shop in Landrum, SC has paired up with Nunn Finer to help Eric and Trayce Dierks. For the next seven days, 30% of all Nunn Finer purchases made through The Farm House will go directly to the Dierks to help with Eric’s medical expenses. Let’s keep that Eventing community love coming! [Farm House Tack Shop]

German eventing team rider Kai Steffen-Meier will teach an Eventing 101 clinic at in Ocala, FL Feb 24-26th. He will focus on how better dressage work improves your cross country riding, and will specifically address amateurs (although not excluding professionals). All rides will be filmed and later evaluated during class room sessions so the riders can learn about themselves while watching their own rides. All levels are welcome. Additional speakers include event horse breeding and training expert Dr. Maren Engelhardt and equine nutrition and lameness prevention specialist Kimberly Kojima. To register and for more information, email [email protected].

In case you missed it, the bitless bridles in dressage discussion continues here. With a member of British Dressage sending in a request to have bitless bridles legalized for recognized competition, both sides of the controversy remain staunchly opposed. On one hand, riding bitless can’t possibly be a threat to those with a bit, but on the other hand, how do you deal with the classical dressage commandment of “acceptance of the bit”? We may never know. [Let’s Discuss Bitless Bridles]

What are the items that you can’t live your horsey life without? I would say right now that Dubarry boots, gloves, good leggings and chapstick are at the top of my list. Also, a horse vacuum because #mudeverywhere. Staff at Horse & Hound know the things that make your world go ’round. [50 Things Horse Owners Really Really Can’t Live Without]

Hot on Horse Nation: Riding The Skywalk

Winter can’t touch me, because I’ve got my Under Armour leggings game going strong. Seriously, I’m wearing these leggings right now as I type this, because not only are they warm as hell to wear during the blustery cold day underneath my riding pants, but they’re comfy as all get out to wear just as leggings around the house! These Under Armour Authentic ColdGear Leggings rock my world. I have three pairs. I wear them all the time. So should you. [SmartPak Product of the Day]

A Troll back in action!

Thursday Video from Standlee Hay: Ride Around Ocala’s Prelim Course

By on Feb 16, 2017 3:00 pm -

Tiffany Smith kindly sent in her helmet cam from the Preliminary Rider-C division at Ocala Winter II Horse Trials, in which she piloted her Thoroughbred gelding Indigenous Gent to a third-place finish on 47.2.

They were one of just two combinations in the division to make the time on cross country and one of five to deliver a clear round. Tiffany also sent along some things to note about “Indy” as you watch the helmet cam:

  1. Can you tell Indy’s back leg slips into the ditch at the coffin? He’s pretty amazing to still get the one-stride and out over C.
  2. He’s so darn honest, especially at 12AB, 13AB and at the angled cottages. Love him!
  3. This was Indy’s first time ever doing a keyhole on a course and our first time making time at Prelim on cross country. Yay!

We love the enthusiasm! Congrats to Tiffany and Indy on a great ride. Go Eventing.

[Ocala Winter 2 HT Presented by Brian Cox Farm Team Final Scores]

If You Missed It: William Micklem’s Safety Series

By on Feb 16, 2017 2:00 pm -
Sam Micklem and Hi Heaven — a full sister of Mandiba, High Kingdom and William's stallion Jackaroo — at Ballinamona in 2015. Photo by Donal O’Beirne/Hoofprints Innovations. Sam Micklem and Hi Heaven — a full sister of Mandiba, High Kingdom and William's stallion Jackaroo — at Ballinamona in 2015. Photo by Donal O’Beirne/Hoofprints Innovations.

EN remains staunchly committed to providing a platform for bolstering safety in eventing, and we were honored to publish William Micklem’s compelling series of six columns addressing the topic. If you missed any of his columns, we’ve included all the links below in the order in which they were published. Please read, comment and share. Together we can keep the topic of safety at the forefront of the sport.

William Micklem: Safety and Reality — “Cutting corners, burning the candle at both ends and compromises are the reality of so many busy lives. However what most people will not think of is that this probably makes you less safe as a rider. Particularly with cross country safety if your preparation and training is of the ‘just in time’ and ‘it’ll have to do’ variety, and worst still your mind is not fully focussed on the task at hand, then there is an increased risk of an accident.”

William Micklem: Safety and Trust — “Surely there is already compelling scientific evidence and statistics, from both British Eventing and the FEI, to say that anyone connected with cross country has a duty of care to use deformable technology wherever possible to keep our riders safer. Surely we should trust our governing bodies to do this? To do more than just approve it but actively ensure it is put into practice.”

William Micklem: Safety and Responsibility — “It is easy to be wise after the event but in fact coaches and riders have been concerned about keyhole fences for some time, and ways need to be found for us to communicate more effectively on all safety issues. It is also possible that we need a separate specialist cross-country ground jury to inspect the courses, rather than the present system of using a ground jury whose primary task is judging the dressage. It is also possible as Mike Etherington-Smith says that ‘some of the (cross country) guidelines could become rules.’ So together we should accept our joint responsibility for the future and go forwards.”

William Micklem: Safety and Blindness — “A good idea has to give way to a better idea and the EquiRatings Quality Index is a great example of this. There are other good ideas that need to take root in relation to course design, training and progression. Unfortunately a few traditionalists are blind to the need for change. Instead they would like both officials and participants to take a more robust attitude and take a step back to the ‘good auld days’ of eventing.”

William Micklem: Safety and Forwards — “I also never forget that horse riding is an activity where peaceful humane attitudes, progressive training and good sportsmanship should always prevail. And when going over the top down to fence one on the cross country riders should have every expectation, not of traps and danger, but of a course that is fair and appropriate for well-prepared partnerships … and a course that makes full use of deformable technology.”

William Micklem: Safety and Us — “It is so easy to do nothing and say nothing about these safety matters, leaving it up to ‘the powers that be’ to possibly take action? But all of us have a stake in our sport and we need an ‘us’ philosophy if there is going to be definite action both to successfully promote our wonderful sport of eventing, within and outside the equine world, and substantially reduce the number of fatalities.”

Let’s Discuss: Bitless Bridles in Dressage

By on Feb 16, 2017 12:00 pm -
Should bitless bridles (like the Dr. Cooks pictured here) be allowed in dressage? Photo by Kate Samuels. Should bitless bridles (like the Dr. Cooks pictured here) be allowed in dressage? Photo by Kate Samuels.

A dressage rider in Britain is calling for a rule change to allow bitless bridles in dressage competitions run under British Dressage (BD) rules. The rider, Tam Russell, started her horse without a bit and has continued to ride him that way ever since. She feels that BD should review its policies to “reflect current times” and for the “sake of horse welfare.”

“Surely a bitless horse is no threat to a bitted horse when competing against each other? And if it is? Even more reason to address archaic attitudes in the equine world,” Tam said.

Paul Graham of BD responded, stating that bitless bridles have been discussed before but that the board chooses to remain in accordance with FEI rules. He also pointed out that Russell can seek to ride with a bitless bridle in unaffiliated competitions that do not run under BD rules.

“It is important that we have a level playing field for all competitors and this includes the tack and equipment permitted,” Paul said.

Read the full story over on Horse and Hound.

Niklas Lindbäck and Cendrillon after dressage at Boekelo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Niklas Lindbäck and Cendrillon at Boekelo. Cendrillon is wearing a Micklem bridle. Photo by Jenni Autry.

In eventing competitions run under USEF rules, a bridle is compulsory in all phases, but hackamores may be used for cross country and show jumping (See EV115). For dressage specifically, the rules state that you must use a “permitted bridle.”

While a bitless bridle is not included on the list of permitted bridles in dressage, there are quite a few “alternative style” bridles pictured under Appendix 4: Eventing – Permitted Saddlery for Dressage, including the Micklem, Freedom Stübben, Stotztem, and Sweden High Jump and Jump Off.

What do you think, EN? Should bitless bridles be allowed in dressage? Do you ride in a bitless bridle (or no bridle at all) at home and in unrecognized competitions? Discuss in the comments!

[USEF Rules for Eventing]

[Rider calls for bitless bridles to be allowed in dressage]

The MR vs. RF Conundrum: When Rules are Rules for a Reason

By on Feb 16, 2017 10:15 am -
Photo by Leslie Threlkeld Photo by Leslie Threlkeld

Marilyn Little and RF Demeter fell together at the Wellington Eventing Showcase earlier this month, with the incident broadcast live to thousands of people and available on instant replay to thousands more. Without a doubt, RF Demeter’s shoulder hit the ground and it was immediately apparent that the pair had incurred a mandatory retirement, or MR to indicate a horse fall. Yet the final results online read RF for rider fall.

This is a problem.

In the past two calendar years, EN has confirmed 12 incidents of horse falls being recorded as rider falls in official USEF and FEI records at three-star, four-star and Advanced events in the U.S. These incidents have been verified through photographs, videos and first-hand accounts confirming that the horse’s shoulder made contact with the ground. At least two of these incidents resulted in serious injury to the riders.

Why does it matter whether a rider fall (RF) or horse fall (MR) is the final recorded result if elimination is the consequence for both outcomes?

The rules don’t differentiate falls for posterity’s sake or to shame anyone. The rules differentiate because there are extremely differing levels of consequences between the two types of falls. The rules differentiate because in our quest to reduce horse falls in the sport, we first must collect data.

There are two primary reasons for differentiating between types of falls in results databases. The first is to collect data on how, when and why horse falls, and particularly rotational falls, occur. In order to have any meaningful conclusions, we must be able to trust that data. With as endemic as this issue has become, we can no longer rely on the accuracy of the results.

The second reason is to put the brakes on any pair having recurring issues and require them to re-establish their qualifications at a lower level. While the FEI does not differentiate between horse and rider falls for the purpose of reverse qualifications, the USEF rules do have more stringent requirements regarding horse falls. Two horse falls within 12 months require horses to step down one level. (For a more complete discussion, revisit The Elephant in the Room: Reverse Qualifications).

One of the aforementioned 12 whose MR was incorrectly recorded as an RF went on to have a second MR within 12 months. If the first horse fall had been properly recorded as an MR, the two falls would then have triggered the USEF’s loss of qualifications procedures, requiring the horse to drop back down to the Intermediate level.

Instead, the horse was then entered in his first four-star competition, where he fell a third time. Only then did he encounter both the USEF and FEI re-qualification requirements, having triggered both due to being eliminated three times in 12 months.

This was a fall that could have been prevented. Thankfully, both horse and rider walked away each time.

RF Demeter is now in a similar situation. Her fall at the Wellington Eventing Showcase was her second in 12 months, having also fallen at Rolex Kentucky CCI4* in April 2016. If the showcase was a sanctioned USEF Advanced competition and the result was properly recorded as an MR, she would now be required to run two Advanced or CIC3* competitions to regain her CCI4* qualifications.

Because the Wellington Eventing Showcase is not recognized or sanctioned by any governing body, no official results will be recorded with either the FEI or the USEF. For all intents and purposes, the results shown online are the official final scores for this competition. They will not become a part of RF Demeter’s official show record and will not have any consequences that would have occurred if the showcase was a recognized horse trials or FEI event.

Yet the consequences are just as real.

If we are serious as a sport about improving safety and preventing horse falls, we must be brutally honest with our results. We cannot sweep any MR results under the rug, passing them off as rider falls in an effort to make our sport appear safer to the outside world. If we want any real progress on safety, we cannot contaminate the data with false results. And if we want to actually try to save horses and riders from these falls, we must be able to implement the rules designed to protect them.

Thursday News & Notes from SmartPak

By on Feb 16, 2017 12:03 am -
Kate Chadderton killing that reflection game. Photo courtesy of Kate.

Kate Chadderton killing that reflection game. Photo courtesy of Kate.

Note to self: never, ever assume that a horse you’ve owned for almost 12 years who is going on his 16th year of life has “grown up” and decided to start “acting trained”. This applies especially to those early gallop sets coming out of winter doldrums. Yesterday, it was warm and only marginally windy, and the ground was good, so I hacked over to a turf track down the road and over a river, to have a little fitness day. It’s a good thing nobody was there to witness the atrocities that followed, because the ping-pong zip-line spastic behavior was just second to next. Spook at: clump of grass, spot of weird dirt, open gate in fence line, stump over there, shadow over here, bolt going this direction, balk going that direction. I give up.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Rocking Horse Winter II H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Paradise Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Fresno County Horse Park CIC & H.T. [Website] [Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

A British rider has petitioned to allow bitless bridles to be allowed in recognized dressage competitions. Tam Russell has called for British Dressage to change their rules about requiring bits for dressage in competition. Unfortunately for her, BD responded thus: “This decision is based on one of the fundamental principles of dressage being built on the acceptance of the bit (while much of the terminology of this relates to acceptance of the bridle, it is widely understood that this is the acceptance of the bit).“To change this principle would have far-reaching consequences, not least that we have to have a competition structure that progresses in to international sport. For this reason alone, we have to align closely with the FEI.” [BD Responds to Request for Bitless Bridles]

Great news for fans of Fresno County Horse Park and Aspen Farms, as Southern California Equestrian Sports has added $2,000 in prize money to the events this year. SCES will be handing out prize money in the CIC* and CIC2* divisions at both Fresno County Horse Park this weekend, as well as the CIC* and CIC2* divisions at Aspen Farms in the second week of June. SCES is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping riders and organizations raise funds to compete in and support their national and international competitions in the US. [SCES Adds Big Prize Money]

The Thoroughbred Incentive Program Youth Ambassador of the Month for February is Morgan Kastner! Morgan is from Minnesota, and at 18 years old, she competes two thoroughbreds in both English and Western disciplines. She is incredibly passionate about the thoroughbred breed, and believes thoroughly in their ability to do any kind of job you could possibly want. [Horse Nation Spotlight]

Laughing at British People Laughing at Us: American Horsey Jargon That Leaves Us Baffled

Best of Blogs: 20 Best Tumblr Posts About Living With Horses 

 

Welly World from Elisa Wallace:

 

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Foggy Ocala Helmet Cam

By on Feb 15, 2017 4:30 pm -

A thick blanket of morning fog covered the cross country course at the Florida Horse Park during the Ocala Winter II Horse Trials this past weekend, making for dramatic viewing in this helmet cam!

Mimi Richards, who rides for the Elevate Event Team sponsored by Kentucky Performance Products, competed in the Training Rider-B division aboard Whitfield. A 7-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Whitfield (Private Vow X Seda Fina, by Known Fact) raced five times before beginning his eventing career in 2014 with Jennie Brannigan.

Mimi and Whitfield finished on their dressage score of 37.7 to place sixth in the Training Rider-B division.

Remember to send your helmet cams to [email protected] so we can share them! Go Eventing.

[Ocala Winter 2 HT Presented by Brian Cox Farm Team Final Scores]

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