Classic Eventing Nation

Gemma Tattersall and Team GB Looking Ahead to 2017 and Beyond

By on Nov 30, 2016 12:00 pm -
Gemma Tattersall and Quicklook V. Photo by Jenni Autry. Gemma Tattersall and Quicklook V. Photo by Jenni Autry.

With recent announcements that Chris Bartle and Richard Waygood will team up to create a new coaching structure for the British eventing squad, Team GB is firmly in a transition following a fifth-place finish at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Like her fellow teammates, British Olympian Gemma Tattersall is looking ahead to the 2017 European Championships in Strzegom and the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, and she has an exciting string of established horses and up-and-coming talent.

Her 6-year-old Billy Hopefull won his first Novice at Gatcombe, and her youngsters by Chilli Morning have also been racking up excellent top-10 placings. Chilli’s Gem finished seventh in the Le Lion d’Angers 7-year-old Championships, and 6-year-old Chilli Knight was eighth at the Osberton International Young Horse Championships.

Holding her nerve

Britain tackled a supremely difficult cross country challenge in Rio, so what was Gemma’s experience at the event, and how did she hold her nerve for that final sterling show jumping round?

“Fifth was not the result we wanted at all, we were all disappointed, but we were all very happy to come out and jump four great rounds on the last day,” Gemma tells EN. “Ahead of my round, I just tried to remember that we are good at that bit and to believe we could finish with a good clear.”

Gemma riding Quicklook V, Kitty King with Ceylor LAN, Pippa Funnell with Billy The Biz, and William Fox-Pitt with Chilli Morning all went clear in the concluding show jumping round.

Gemma Tattersall and Quicklook V in a lesson with Team GBR dressage coach Tracie Robinson. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Gemma Tattersall and her Olympic ride Quicklook V at Aachen 2015. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Quicklook V: ‘Such a show-off”

Quicklook V, an 11-year-old Anglo European mare (Urkel X Unabresse M, by Quick Star) owned by the Pebbles Syndicate, has had a really strong season at three-star level — including seventh at Bramham CIC3* and fourth at Chatsworth CIC* — but what is so special about this lovely mare?

“Quicklook is a huge character; she talks all the time, is extremely friendly and loves all attention. She thinks the big events are put on just for her,” Gemma says. “She loves to learn and thrives on work. I knew she was special the moment I saw her; she moves beautifully and is such a show-off.”

‘Plenty of horses coming through for Britain’

What is Gemma’s take on Britain’s strength on the world eventing stage moving into 2017? “We have had a small lull in experienced four-star horses, but that happens in every camp,” Gemma says. “There are now plenty of horses coming through for Britain, and I think we will be really strong again for the World Equestrian Games.”

Gemma, who was riding ponies from when she was a tiny baby before she could even walk, says riding horses was always a career choice. “My mum worked at a riding school, so I was obsessed with being on a horse,” she says. When asked how she stays fit and healthy, she cites: “Lots and lots of riding! Also eating healthily, and before the season begins, I always work with a personal trainer to get me up to fitness.”

Gemma Tattersall and Arctic Soul Photo by Nico Morgan

Gemma Tattersall and Arctic Soul, who placed third at this year’s Badminton Horse Trials, but did not contest the Games due to injury. Photo by Nico Morgan.

A support team ‘like gold dust’

Gemma says she has a huge support team that she could not do her job without.

“They are like gold dust. Firstly there’s my whole family; my mum, who comes to events with me and drives the truck; my boyfriend Matt Heath who supports me hugely; Charlotte Overton my head girl, who has known me for years and totally understands me; my four other girls Lauren Stanley, Jess Young, Jess Copsy and Becky Smiley — they are all so loyal, fun and hard working; and my right-hand woman Elodie Frost, my personal assistant who organises my life! Without her, I wouldn’t know what I’m doing from one day to the next,” she says.

“Then obviously there are all the fantastic owners, without whom I could not do this incredible sport, and sponsors including Childeric Saddles and Timothy Foxx clothing. I am very lucky to be supported by some amazing people who help me work towards success.”

We asked Gemma what her plans are over the winter, and she says the horses and team are currently having a nice break. “When we are back from my current holiday, I will be getting the horses all back into work, with maybe some hunting for some of the young horses, but most definitely some show jumping,” she says. “Roll on the 2017 season.”

Go Eventing.

Canadian Olympian Colleen Loach Forging Her Own Path

By on Nov 30, 2016 8:45 am -
Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue d'Argouges. Photo by Jenni Autry. Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue d'Argouges. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Colleen Loach has had a whirlwind year. In 2015 the Dunham, Quebec native made her first Canadian national team appearance as a member of the bronze-medal winning 2015 Pan American Games team in Toronto. Thirteen months later, Colleen and her mount, Qorry Blue d’Argouges, a Thoroughbred/Selle Francais gelding owned by Peter Barry, represented Canada at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Having now represented her nation twice and completed one of the most difficult cross country courses in modern Olympic history, Colleen is ready for her next big challenge: building a client base and starting her own business.

Colleen has spent the past 13 years working for Peter Barry, who, among other laurels, rode for Canada in the London 2012 Olympic Games. Originally hired as a groom, Colleen’s role quickly expanded beyond that. “Peter got a little more than he bargained for in hiring me, since I ended up being a rider as well,” she said. “He really supported me as rider, and I’m very appreciative of that.”

Colleen reprised her role as a groom for Peter and Kilrodan Abbott at the 2012 Olympic Games, which gave her a unique look behind the scenes prior to making her own Olympic debut in Rio four years later.

Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue d'Argouges. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue d’Argouges in Rio. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Being selected to the Canadian team and riding in the Rio Olympics “was a really amazing experience,” Colleen says. Unfortunately, her Olympic weekend didn’t get the strong start she hoped for when booming feedback from speakers filled the stadium during her dressage test, spooking Qorry and rattling Colleen. They managed to regain their composure and finished the test with poise, but not without a few unavoidable and costly low marks to score 56.6.

With a Pierre Michelet cross country course that many riders deemed the toughest they had ever seen at the Olympic Games, Saturday was understandably a little nerve-racking.

“I definitely have some regrets about the mistakes we made on cross country,” Colleen said. “I got a bit nervous and rushed my warm-up and we had some runouts, which never happens. Once we got on course we still weren’t fully tuned-in to each other yet, and we made two costly mistakes early on, but after that the rest of the course was foot-perfect.”

Colleen and Qorry finished strong on Sunday, jumping inside the time with just one rail down to complete their Olympic debut.

Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue D'Argouges. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue D’Argouges after show jumping in Rio. Photo by Jenni Autry.

After the Olympics, Colleen set out to turn over a new leaf. For the past two months, she has been working for Clayton Fredericks, former Canadian Olympic team coach, at his farm in Anthony, Florida. As an assistant trainer for Fredericks Equestrian International, Colleen has been sharing the riding, training and teaching duties in addition to gaining additional competition mileage on some of Clayton’s horses.

“It’s been a great learning experience,” she said. This past weekend she and Clayton’s FE Subiaco finished within the top 20 in the hotly contested CCI*, which had more than 70 horses, at the inaugural Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event.

Colleen is now ready take the next step in establishing herself as a professional rider and trainer and is looking to build her own clientele who want to join her in her effort to stay at the top levels of the sport.

“I think what’s going to be really important for me is to get owners behind me so I can develop a string of horses,” she said. “I think I have the work ethic and talent to make it, but it’s tough getting started, and riders need a big base of support.”

Colleen, who has years of experience working with young horses, is willing to take on horses in any stage of training, from promising youngsters who need to learn the basics to more seasoned competitors who need a rider to take them to the next level. She will continue to base herself out of Clayton’s facility, located just north of Ocala.

“It’s great here at Clayton’s to have so many top quality, well-bred competition horses to ride,” Colleen said. “It’s a great resource.”

Colleen Loach and Quorry Blue d'Argouges. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Colleen Loach and Quorry Blue d’Argouges at the Great Meadow CICO3* in July. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Colleen is also currently trying to keep the ride on Qorry, who was recently listed for sale. Over the past few months, Colleen has been looking to form a syndicate for the 12-year-old gelding and would like to retain a piece of the ownership as well and continue to contest top events together.

“If I manage to keep him I’d like to do Rolex in the spring. I think Qorry would have a good chance to do well there,” Colleen said. “Then we would probably so some CICs in the fall followed by another four-star the next spring.”

To learn more about Colleen and inquire about this syndication opportunity, visit her website at colleenloachequestrian.ca or contact her at [email protected].

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Nov 30, 2016 12:01 am -
Christmas in Middleburg parade in 2012. Photo by Maggie Deatrick. Christmas in Middleburg parade in 2012. Photo by Maggie Deatrick.

If you are anywhere within driving distance of Middleburg this weekend, you should absolutely check out the festivities for Christmas in Middleburg. Featuring a tree lighting, a parade with a full complement of foxhunters and hounds, and a pageant on Sunday, it’s an absolutely surreal experience. I was lucky enough to be part of the crowds in 2012 and 2013, and absolutely loved every minute of it.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Sporting Days Horse Trials [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Your Wednesday News & Notes:

Moving day is here! Hawley Bennett-Awad has had a banner year thanks to gaining the ride on the feisty mare Jollybo, and it looks like the exciting news keeps coming. Hawley has announced she will be relocating to the Copper Meadows facility, a fantastic facility that hosts horse trials up through CIC3* a few times a year. [HBE to Relocate]

Stable View is kicking off its 2017 season by offering competitors a 30% discount on entry fees for all divisions at the Aiken Opener Horse Trials on Jan. 14-15, 2017. The Aiken Opener will run over the new cross country course as a one-day for Beginner Novice through Preliminary levels. Entries opened yesterday. [Stable View Aiken Opener Horse Trials]

And now, for your daily dose of cute. If you like photos of adorable Shetland ponies, today is your lucky day. The book ‘Shetland Ponies’ will be debuting at Olympia, and features photos of the furriest Shetlands imaginable in a 400 page book, along with their complete 2000-year history. [Sheltand Pony Book]

Best of the Blogs: Advice to Present and Future Barn Kids. Now headed off to college, Meghan Holland has made the most of her time as a working student. She’s listed a few (twenty!) tips for future working students. Quite honestly, almost every single one of her tips is quality life advice, even if you don’t have plans to become a barn fixture in the near future.  [Advice to Present and Future Barn Kids]

Tim Jones has spent his career making it work. As a hand therapist, Tim has found himself quite in demand throughout the years and eventually ended up in the eventing mecca near Frederick, MD. With the help of Sharon White and Tim Bourke, he recently competed at Intermediate for the first time with his horse Ironman, while also bringing his young horse Teflon up through the levels. All this while balancing a successful therapy practice and raising two kids with his wife. [Amateurs Like Us]

SmartPak Product of the Day: I’ve plugged these blankets before, and I’ll plug them again thanks to their amazing customer service. I bought my horse a medium SmartPak Ultimate turnout about six weeks ago. This weekend, it was absolutely destroyed. Thanks to the SmartPak 10 Year Guarantee on these blankets, they are replacing with a brand new blanket, absolutely free of charge. #worthit [SmartPak]

Wednesday Video: Why do top professionals choose footing from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces?

Good Footing – Attwood Equestrian Surfaces from Bold Horse Media on Vimeo.

Tuesday Video from SpectraVET: #BehindBadminton with Eric Winter

By on Nov 29, 2016 5:30 pm -

May might seem like a long time away, but incoming Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials course designer Eric Winter is already busy executing his vision for the 2017 cross country track. In this #BehindBadminton video, Eric shares a sneak preview of next year’s course.

Eric succeeds former Italian designer Giuseppe della Chiesa, who took over the course in 2014 from event director Hugh Thomas, also featured in the video. Hugh designed the course for 24 years, from 1989 to 2013.

Eric was a natural pick for the position, being both a local — he lives with his wife and family near Chepstow, about 30 miles from Badminton — and having been involved with Badminton for many years. He served as technical delegate at the event from 2011 to 2014, and also completed the event as a rider in 1991.

And of course he is well qualified: he designed the course at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials for the past 10 years, as well as courses at the Asian Games, two European Pony Championships, a European Junior and a European Young Rider Championship.

“For the last 15 or 20 years, I think, when you walk around the course you say, ‘If I was there I would do this, if I was there I would do that,’ and now all of a sudden it’s on my shoulders,” he says. “Which is a bit of an intimidating thought but I’m really looking forward to the challenge of producing a really good four-star course.”

Why SpectraVET?

Reliable. Effective. Affordable.

SpectraVET is committed to providing only the highest-quality products and services to our customers, and to educating the world in the science and art of laser therapy.

We design and manufacture the broadest range of clinically-proven veterinary therapeutic laser products, which are represented and supported worldwide by our network of specialist distributors and authorized service centers.

What’s in Your Ring? Pole Work with Michael Willham

By on Nov 29, 2016 3:30 pm -

This week’s edition of “What’s in Your Ring?” comes courtesy of Michael Willham, winner of the Hagyard Midsouth Long Format Prelim Three-Day in October. Michael and his 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse Fernhill Cayenne (A.K.A. “Cayenne” or “Cay”) led from start to finish and while they added 1.2 time penalties on endurance day, they were the only pair in the division to have a fault free show jumping round, locking in the win. 

In addition to eventing, he is a senior at Otterbein University, majoring and minoring in all things business (management, administration, economics, finance, and marketing) and regularly contributes to EN as well! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to share with us one of your favorite exercises, Michael.

Michael Willham and Fernhill Cayenne, winners of the Hagyard Midsouth Long Format Prelim 3-Day Event. Photo by Photography In Stride.

Michael Willham and Fernhill Cayenne, winners of the Hagyard Midsouth Long Format Prelim 3-Day Event. Photo by Photography In Stride.

Eventing Nation contacted me to ask if I would contribute to their “What’s in Your Ring” series. Of course, I agreed, because I am always excited to pass on my knowledge to other people, even though I don’t claim to be an expert by any extreme stretch of the imagination. Perhaps that is part of the helpfulness though, I’m relatable: a mid-level eventer having some bumps along the road, trying to figure things out as I go, just like many other people.

You’re also in for a treat, because I wore my helmet cam so that you can get a rider’s eye view of how the exercise looks from horseback!

This exercise calls for only five poles, so set up and take down time is basically non-existent! However, you could keep adding on to it if you wanted to increase the difficulty!

Normally I only have a vague idea of what I want to accomplish when I put some pole exercises out. However, every week when I do pole-work, I include one thing time and time again: a 6 stride line.

Why you may ask? Well, at its foundation, I work on adjustability, which is perhaps one of the biggest challenges for many of us. I go through in the regular six strides, collect for 8, 9, sometimes 10 strides (my eventer is a little bit like a cruise ship, not the most adjustable – which is why we work on this!), and then lengthen and get it in 3 or 4 strides.

Photo by Michael Willham.

Photo by Michael Willham.

Diagram by Michael Willham.

Diagram by Michael Willham.

I set up the same 6 stride line each time in order to gauge each ride to the previous ones. Some weeks, like this video, we aren’t as adjustable. We only got down to 4 and up to 8 strides. Other weeks, we get down to 3 and up to 9 (and we’re almost at 10). It also changes depending on the saddle. Using a dressage saddle tends to add a stride, so we get down to 4 and up to 10.

It’s extremely important to know your horse though. Some horses are more adjustable than others; some horses are more adjustable one way and not so much the other. For example, my Prelim/1* horse eats distance for breakfast (without milk) and the 3 stride in a 6 stride is fairly easy for him. However we struggle to get past 9 strides in collection.

On the other hand, my retired novice-level eventer turned dressage horse struggles with lengthening, getting 4 strides on an extremely good day, but is TERRIFIC at collecting: we’re almost at 12 strides!

I also like setting up some sort of collecting, turning exercise. These are specifically for my eventer because, again, he sometimes turns like a cruise ship. I really like what I set up in this exercise. It is a set of 3 poles, set on a short 2 stride, 90 degree alternating bending line. The first pole turns right 90 degrees in a short 2 strides to the 2nd , which then turns left 90 degrees in 2 strides to the 3rd pole; basically creating an S shape. (I also threw in one of the straight line poles as a bending line just for something else to do, but it was 6-7 strides away).

This exercise can also be adjustable depending on the level, regular stride of the horse, and how difficult you want to make it. I set mine up on a short-ish 2 strides (I walk about 24 feet, with sharp 90 degree angles, with very skinny ground poles (they were about 3 feet wide, if I had to guess). This exercise really stresses the accuracy (you have to get in the middle, otherwise they’ll just miss the pole completely), collection (a short 2 stride), and turning (90 degree turns).

But you can obviously use longer poles, a little bit bigger distance between poles, and/or slightly less turning angles, especially when you’re first starting out.

*Warning* this exercise is harder than it seems! If it isn’t hard, then you’re either Phillip Dutton or you need to tweak it: shorten the distance/increase the angle/use skinnier poles/add more poles into the combination!

I also like where I set it up in the ring. I used already set up jumps in order to essentially make blind turns for him. I think this makes the exercise a more useful training tool, so that they have to be sure to listen to you, otherwise they’ll miss the turn!

I try to maintain a single lead throughout the “S” turn, since a flying change can lengthen their stride and throw off the turn. Maintaining the same lead is also good counter canter practice and helps you focus more on turning their shoulder: a very helpful tool for better jump rounds!

Again, I am not an expert by any means, so take this as advice from a fellow “amateur” competitor. (I’m not technically an amateur since I have a few sponsors, but I am in the sense that I only compete my one horse and I’ve only gone up to Prelim/1*). And remember, you can definitely do better than what I did in the 6 stride line! He was just not feeling the adjustability that day, so we only went from 4-8. I’d normally aim for at least 3-9 on Cayenne, while working towards 3-10.

Hopefully this helps someone out there! Give it a try the next time you do pole work! If you make it a routine, you should definitely start seeing some progress in adjustability! I know I did!

Thank you for sharing, Michael! Click here to read more of Michael’s EN submissions. 

Do you have an exercise to share or is there an eventer you would like to nominate for the series? Email [email protected].

USEA ICP Program to Offer Two New YEH Certificates in 2017

By on Nov 29, 2016 12:30 pm -
Lynn Symansky and SpectraVET Cohiba, winner of the 2015 USEA YEH Overall 5-Year-Old Championship. Photo by Sally Spickard. Lynn Symansky and SpectraVET Cohiba, winner of the 2015 USEA YEH Overall 5-Year-Old Championship. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Even the best-bred youngster is only as good as the training that horse receives. In acknowledgement of the importance of early equine education, the USEA’s Instructor Certification Program (ICP) and Young Event Horse Program (YEH) will begin offering two new certificates in 2017:

  • ICP Young Event Horse Instructor, for individuals who teach students aboard young horses
  • ICP Young Event Horse Professional Trainer, for individuals who develop the under-saddle abilities and performance of young event horses by riding them as a paid occupation

The USEA explains the aim of these additional certificates:

Equally as important as sound breeding is utilization of safe, humane, experienced, and insightful on-the-ground and under-saddle training. Who, specifically, can offer positive, productive assistance to owners and amateur riders as they develop their young event horses? 

FEH’s, YEH’s, and ICP’s answer: instructors and professional trainers whose experience and skills have been confirmed in the eyes of other experienced horsemen and horsewomen who are themselves knowledgeable and experienced in the development of skilled and willing young event horses. 

Just as FEH and YEH are able to assist American breeders with the equine parent selection process and the early development of young event horses, so ICP-certified YEH instructors and ICP-certified Young Event Horse professional trainers will be able to assist American young horse owners, riders, and anyone else interested with high quality under-saddle development of their 4- and 5-year-olds, whether those horses are purebreds, crossbreds, or, more specifically, American Thoroughbreds.

Certification is available via a three-day ICP YEH Workshop, to include teaching or riding depending on which certificate is being sought. After attending an ICP YEH Workshop, YEH  instructors and YEH professional trainers may attend an ICP Assessment to be evaluated for ICP certification. Those individuals seeking the YEH Professional Trainer certificate will ride young horses at an ICP Assessment.

More information on these certificates will be available following the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention; email Email Sue Hershey at [email protected] with any immediate questions.

Don’t miss the ICP Open Meeting, to take place on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 5-6 p.m., and be sure to mark your calendar for Feb. 20-22, when the ICP, YEH and FEH programs will be joining forces for a three-day educational experience in Ocala. 

[USEA Instructors’ Certification Program Introduces Two New Young Event Horse Certificates]

An Eventer’s Guide to #GivingTuesday

By on Nov 29, 2016 10:30 am -
Photo by Abby Powell. Photo by Abby Powell.

So how did you fare this Thanksgiving weekend? No, I’m not asking if you regret eating enough mashed potatoes to fill a skull cap (I don’t) … I’m asking how your wallet is feeling after a weekend of in-your-face sale ads. Because if there’s one thing horse people love as much as horses, it’s stuff for our horses.

There’s no denying that there were some pretty fantastic deals out there this weekend, and considering horse stuff is so expensive in the first place, it’s hard not to heed the call of those Black Friday and Cyber Monday doorbusters. While there’s no shame in taking advantage of the most wonderful time of the year for shopping, I find today, Giving Tuesday, to be a breath of fresh air after a weekend of intense consumerism.

While there are many worthy causes around the globe, I’d like to take a moment to address the very specific group of people reading this article — horse people — and point out a few ways that we can make a difference in our small niche of the world or your local community. As we head into this season of giving, let’s take a moment to think about what it’s important to us as eventers and horse lovers and how we can use #GivingTuesday to help ensure that our passion is preserved to share and enjoy for years to come.

Land Preservation Organizations

Aside from the horses themselves, is there anything more essential to equestrian sports, and eventing in particular, than open land? Land preservation is essential for the wellbeing and nature of the animals we work with and it is particularly essential to our sport of eventing. Without land, there can be no cross-country as we know it!

Your Local Combined Training Association

From the grassroots on up, local combined training organizations are the bread and butter of our sport. Local CTAs supplement the bigger USEA events, the core of eventing in the United States, and they play a very important role in keeping eventing more accessible to a greater number of people.

Clients of Windrush Farm in Boxford, MA showcase their skills during a demonstration at the 2016 Groton House Farm HT. Photo by Abby Powell.

Clients of Windrush Farm in Boxford, MA showcase their skills during a demonstration at the 2016 Groton House Farm H.T. Photo by Abby Powell.

Therapeutic Riding Programs

Programs that offer therapeutic riding and driving or hippotherapy are often in need of donations. Although equine-assisted therapy can provide real benefit to people with mental or physical disabilities, it is not often covered by health insurance and the programs are understandably expensive to run (they do involve horses after all). Some stables additionally offer programs for able-bodied participants of various demographics such as veterans or at-risk inner-city youth, which are a great way to introduce many different people to the benefits of working with and being around horses.

USEA Research Studies

If you’re looking for a way to more directly impact the future of eventing specifically, look no further than the studies and programs organized by the USEA Foundation. The two ongoing studies, the Equine Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research Study and the Collapsible Fence Technology Research Study, both have the power improve the safety of eventing and impact horse and rider welfare for the better, while the Instructor Certification Program and the Officials Training program help to secure eventing’s future.

Equine Rescues

From auction-bound horses to Mustangs to OTTBs, there are a plethora of equine rescue organizations out there both locally and nationally. Each one could potentially match some lucky rider with their perfect steed. While, sure, a well-bred young event horse destined for the upper-levels may have a leg up on the competition, one of the things that I love about eventing is that it’s possible for any horse to do well at it if they have enough heart. Heart is an abundant commodity amongst rescue horses; sometimes you just have to put a little polish on a diamond in the rough.

My own pony is one such diamond in the rough. Photos courtesy of the MSPCA and Dan Powell.

My own pony is one such diamond in the rough. Photos courtesy of the MSPCA and Dan Powell.

Veterinary Aid Organizations

We are exceptionally fortunate to be able to participate in this sport that we love. While we generally enjoy horses on a recreational level, many other people around the globe rely on equines for their livelihood. Veterinary care for working equines and basic veterinary or husbandry education for the people that use them, not only help the hard-working animals across the globe, but the people that depend on them as well.

Volunteer

While the goal of #GivingTuesday is generally to secure monetary donation for organizations, there are other ways to give than just financially. If you’d prefer not to make a monetary donation this season, consider pledging your time instead. We’re all aware of the shortage of volunteers in eventing — use this time to reach out to any of your local organizations get your name on their email list; they’ll be happy to have you.

Go Eventing. Go Giving.

Dr. Rob Stevenson Appointed Eventing High Performance Chair for Canada

By on Nov 29, 2016 8:00 am -
Rob Stevenson and Risky Business II representing Canada in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. Photo by Elizabeth Furth.

Rob Stevenson and Risky Business II representing Canada in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. Photo by Elizabeth Furth.

Equestrian Canada has announced that Dr. Rob Stevenson will become Chair of the Eventing High Performance Advisory Group heading into the next cycle of major games.

“I am thrilled that Rob has accepted this important position at a time where we need to focus on collaboration with the Eventing Committee, athletes and owners,” said Peter Gray, Eventing Committee Chair. “He is the perfect balance of experience, integrity and fairness, and comes to this position without bias or personal agendas.”

Dr. Stevenson, from Lakeside, New Brunswick, has worn many hats in the sport of eventing. As an athlete, he represented Canada at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, where he finished 22nd individually riding Risky Business. Following his competitive career, he has participated in the sport as coach — he runs the performance-oriented training and boarding facility, Foshay South Eventing, with his wife Suzanne — parent, event organizer and team selector, serving on the Eventing High Performance Committee from 2001 to 2004 as c0-chair of selection.

In 2012 he was appointed FEI National Safety Officer for Canada and was recently invited to join the newly formed FEI Risk Management Steering Group, roles which uniquely play to his experiences as both eventer and cardiologist. His EN article from May 2016, “Is This Sport Safe Enough? Breaking Down the Latest Eventing Safety Statistics,” is a must-read for anyone seeking to better understand and contribute to the conversations taking place surrounding the issue of eventing safety.

Speaking to the restructuring within EC and his role going forward, Dr. Stevenson said, “My first responsibility will be to help define the roles and responsibilities — with respect to the EC High Performance program — of the Eventing Committee, the athletes and the owners, to unify the passion that we all share for this great sport.

“My involvement in a high performance sport has shaped the life that I live every day. I have had remarkable experiences in this sport as an athlete, coach, parent, organizer and sponsor. I am committed to sharing this experience with others in a way that changes their lives as well.”

Dr. Stevenson commended Committee members currently finishing their Olympic term on the Eventing Selection Panel: “Jenn Holling, Grit High, Juliet Graham and Kelli McMullen-Temple have dedicated years of their lives to the cause of developing and selecting the best teams possible for Canada. I will have much to learn from what they have achieved.”

He also recognized Clayton Fredericks, who completed his four-year contract as Eventing Team Coach in November 2016. “In this role, Clayton led Canada to team and individual medals at the 2015 Pan American Games, and top 10 placings at both the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games and 2016 Rio Olympics. Moreover, he has developed a number of young Canadian athletes who will be members of our team in future years.”

For more information on high performance eventing in Canada, visit the website here.

 

Tuesday News & Notes from Cavalor

By on Nov 29, 2016 12:01 am -
Leslie Law and Fernhill Divergent. Photo by Jenni Autry. Leslie Law and Fernhill Divergent. Photo by Jenni Autry.

One of my favorite things about covering events for EN is keeping an eye out for exciting, young, up-and-coming horses. Leslie Law and Fernhill Divergent, a 6-year-old KWPN gelding (Affelay X Zakilly, by Odermus) owned by Julie Richards and Carol Gee, certainly turned heads during Sunday’s CCI* show jumping at the inaugural Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event. This one has scope for days!

Leslie temporarily has the ride on Fernhill Divergent while Julie mends following her fall at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International CCI3* in October, and Leslie gave the horse an excellent ride in his one-star debut to finish in second place on their dressage score of 44.6. We’re wishing a very speedy recovery to Julie and look forward to seeing her back in the tack aboard this lovely young horse.

Events Opening This Week:

 Stable View Aiken Opener Horse Trials (SC, A-3)  Three Lakes January Horse Trials at Caudle Ranch (FL, A-3)

Tuesday News & Notes:

Richard Waygood has been announced as the new performance manager for the British eventing team, replacing outgoing manager Yogi Breisner. British Eventing announced Chris Bartle as the new performance coach last week, which points to a new coaching structure for Team GB following the Rio Olympic Games. [New name joins Chris Bartle to lead British eventing squad]

Top Australian eventer Megan Jones has been sidelined with a serious concussion and broken ribs after her three-star horse Kirby Park Invader slipped and fell during a gallop at her base in South Australia. Megan said she is grateful “Freckles” was not injured in the fall. [Top eventer out of action with head injury]

There’s still time to register for next week’s USEA Convention & Annual Meeting, which will be held Dec. 7-11 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The schedule is packed with educational sessions and moments you don’t want to miss, like William Fox-Pitt’s keynote address. Did we mention the convention hotel is just one block from the beach? [USEA Convention Highlights You Won’t Want to Miss]

Have you been listening to the new Eventing Podcast? It’s the brainchild of EquiRatings co-founders Sam Watson and Diarm Byrne, along with the delightful Nicole Brown, who you might have heard commentate for Event Rider Masters. I’ve joined in on the podcast team as well, and our latest interview is with the USA’s own Lauren Kieffer. You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and Soundcloud. [#LockerRoomTalk: Lauren Kieffer]

Tuesday Video: 

How cool is it that we had Rio team gold medalist and individual silver medalist, Astier Nicolas, competing at the Ocala Jockey Club this past weekend? He catch-rode FE Ophelia in the CCI*, and you can watch a video of his show jumping round thanks to our friendly neighborhood videographer David Frechette. Click over to YouTube for more videos from #OJCInternational.

Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: Doug Payne’s Ocala Jockey Club CIC3* Helmet Cam

By on Nov 28, 2016 5:00 pm -

Lysander has been in Doug Payne’s program since he was just three, and we’ve had such fun tagging along on his journey up the eventing ladder.

We first spotlighted “Big Leo,” owned by Kristin Michaloski in partnership with Doug Payne, back in 2012 as part of the “EN’s Got Talent Series.” Doug had recently piloted the 18-hand up-and-comer to his debut at Prelim, explaining that the lower levels weren’t doing his big guy any favors: “He’s a very talented horse, but with his height he was just tripping over the fences at Novice.” Check out some video of Leo from the beginning here. 

They’ve just gotten better and better since, and ticked the box of now 9-year-old Leo’s first three-star effort over the weekend at the inaugural Ocala Jockey Club International 3-Day Event. They scored a jumped clear cross country round with some time and felled a single rail to finish 12th in the CIC3* class. (See out EN’s complete coverage of the event here.)

Watching this helmet cam video, it’s clear what a positive, confidence-inspiring ride Leo enjoyed around the Ocala Jockey Club track with Doug in the irons. He at the finish flags with one ear pricked forward and the other swiveled back, still listening and soaking up Doug’s praise. Helmet cam provided by Cambox Sport.