Classic Eventing Nation

Fleeceworks Royal and Betawave Accepted at Le Lion d’Angers First Inspection

By on Oct 19, 2016 11:30 am -
Tamie Smith and Fleeceworks Royal. Photo by Libby Law Photography. Tamie Smith and Fleeceworks Royal. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

It was a beautiful afternoon at Le Lion d’Angers in France for the first horse inspection at the FEI World Breeding Eventing Championships. We’re excited to have two combinations representing the U.S. at Le Lion: Tamie Smith and Fleeceworks Royal and Robyn Fisher and Betawave.

Fleeceworks Royal (Riverman x Marisol, by Corofino I) is a a 7-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Judy McSwain that made the trip to France thanks to the Holekamp/Turner Young Event Horse Lion d’Angers Grant.

The grant, founded by Tim and Cheryl Holekamp and Christine Turner, enables the highest scorer of the USEA Young Event Horse 5-year-old Championship to travel to the FEI World Breeding Eventing Championship in France as a 7-year-old if the horse obtains the proper CCI2* qualifications.

Not only did “Rory” emerge this year as the top qualified horse to obtain the grant, but she was also bred in the U.S. by Charlotte Wrather, making her eligible for the full $17,500 in funding to travel to France for Le Lion. (Imported horses receive $8,000 through the grant, as Kelly Prather and D.A. Duras did last year.)

Robyn Fisher and Betawave. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

Robyn Fisher and Betawave. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

Rory finished 14th in the CCI2* at Jersey Fresh in May but soon after battled a troubling corneal scratch that put Tamie and Judy’s France plans in jeopardy. But Rory’s eye is all healed up now, and you can read all about her path to France in Judy’s guest blogs on the USEA’s website this week.

Betawave, a 7-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Carol Singh and Robyn Fisher, is also U.S.-bred, by Linaro out of Wavelength, by Wodan. Robyn and “Leta” won the CCI2* at the Colorado Horse Park in June, and Robyn talks in detail about their journey to EN in this guest blog.

All the U.S. ladies looked super today on the jog strip today, and we’re excited to have beautiful photos of Tamie and Rory and Robyn and Leta this week thanks to Libby Law Photography.

We checked in with Tamie this afternoon after she and Robyn walked the cross country course. “It has a big climb at the beginning and starts out very nice and inviting and builds as the course goes on. There are tighter combinations at the beginning with turning questions, as well as some bravery questions with a skinny ditch wall bending line to a big trakehner and then to an opposite bending line to a skinny,” Tamie said.

“It’s very long and by the end we jump what I would consider a three-star question: off of a very large bank, six strides to offset brushes in two strides — very big. It’s a very good test, and you will know what kind of horse you have at the end. The venue is beautiful, and the fence structure is like I’ve never seen — masterful.

“Rory feels fighting fit and ready, and I’m so grateful to be here with the generous support of the Turner/Holkamp Grant through the USEA. I’m also so happy to have Robyn and her team here. It’s what it’s all about — supporting each other and enjoying this exciting and memorable journey. And the best part is that we are California girls riding our California-bred girls! It’s really fun to experience this with all of the support. It means so much.”

Astier Nicolas limbering up before the first horse inspection. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

Astier Nicolas limbering up before the first horse inspection. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

We’ll be checking in with Tamie and Robyn throughout the week, so stay tuned for much more from Le Lion. There are 40 6-year-olds and 59 7-year-olds entered from all over the world. Click here to see the 6-year-old entries and here to see the 7-year-old entries. Who do you think will take the win?

Both of our U.S. combinations do their dressage tomorrow, with Tamie and Fleeceworks Royal leading the way at 1:14 p.m. local time, 7:14 a.m. EST. Robyn and Betawave go at 3:28 p.m. local time, 9:28 a.m. EST. Click here to see the 6-year-old dressage order of go and here for the 7-year-old order of go, and be sure to check out the preview video for the event below. Go Eventing.

Le Lion d’Angers Links: Website, 6YO Order of Go, 7YO Order of Go, Live Scoring

EN’s coverage of Le Lion d’Angers is proudly presented by Fleeceworks!

Jock Paget Moving Home to New Zealand to Coach Developing Riders

By on Oct 19, 2016 8:10 am -
Jock Paget and Clifton Lush at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Photo by Jenni Autry. Jock Paget and Clifton Lush at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jock Paget, who has been based in the UK since 2010, is moving home to New Zealand to further his coaching career and will take up the new role of High Performance Development Coach in February for Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ).

While Jock made it clear he will still be competing at the highest levels of the sport and hopes to land a spot on New Zealand’s team for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, he also wants to pursue further opportunities in coaching.

“Coaching is something I really enjoy doing,” Jock said. “I want to become a world-class coach, and I believe this is the programme to do that in. It is very exciting.”

Jock and his wife, Tegan, plan to move to the central North Island later this year, which will also put them closer to their families.

“It makes the most sense to be based near Taupo if possible, and particularly the National Equestrian Centre where there is a lot of exciting development going on, including the brand new world-class indoor arena which will be ready in March,” Jock said. “I think it is the place to be.”

Clifton Promise, who was formally retired at Badminton this spring, and Jock’s three-star mount Angus Blue will both move to New Zealand with Jock.

“Frances (Stead) is very happy that Promise will be continuing his retirement back in New Zealand, and Angus Blue is a very good horse who did his first CCI3* in September. I have every intention of still targeting the major events throughout the world but just with a smaller team,” Jock said.

“To do both my riding and coaching properly, I won’t be able to have the same size team I have done, so I will now only have ones I think are going to be world-beaters.”

Jock will work alongside fellow ESNZ Eventing Performance Programme coaches Penny Castle, Clarke Johnstone, Tracy Smith and Jeff McVean, and ESNZ High Performance Director Sarah Dalziell-Clout said the entire team is excited for Jock’s move.

“This is a great development for our eventing programme and an invaluable opportunity for our riders in New Zealand. Jock’s experience as a member of our high performance eventing team is an exciting addition to the performance coaching team,” Sarah said.

“Having Jock here competing too is also exciting for the domestic competition scene. We will now have two of our Olympic campaigners in Clarke (Johnstone) and Jock competing and coaching nationally. I hope this will further encourage more spectators to attend and support our events in New Zealand.”

We wish Jock and Tegan all the best as they make the move back home to New Zealand. Go Eventing.

[Paget Returning to NZ to Coach and Compete]

Wednesday News and Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Oct 19, 2016 12:01 am -
Mad carving skillz. Photo via Destination Eventing's FB page. Mad carving skillz. Photo via Destination Eventing's FB page.

It’s the time of year where the master carvers set knives to their pumpkins, my waistline starts spreading due to my inability to save Halloween candy for Halloween, and scary movies on every channel leave me channel surfing for something that won’t leave me looking nervously over my shoulder. Oh, and I also saw Christmas candy on the shelves tonight as I wandered through the aisles of the grocery store in my breeches after an evening lesson. I won’t lie, I was tempted.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Waredaca H.T. & C3D [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Windermere Run H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Pine Hill H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Fresno County Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Midsouth CCI & H.T. [Website] [Ride Times]

Your Wednesday News & Notes:

Delaware Park is hosting an end of season clearance sale. Dubbed as the “End of Meet Showcase”, Delware Park will open its doors on October 23 to welcome buyers to look at more than 30 thoroughbreds who need new careers. Equine Vet Care of Fair Hill Training Center will have vets available for vettings, so if you’ve ever wanted to test the waters of buying directly off-track, now’s your chance. [Delaware Park offers Thirty Horses for Sale]

Meet Fleeceworks Royal, the recipient of the YEH grant to compete at Le Lion this weekend. This mare is the first Amer-can-bred recipient of the Holekamp/Turner Young Event Horse Le Lion d’Angers Grant, which offers the chance to compete at the 7-year old championships to the highest placed 5-Year Old YEH Championship who is qualified. A full sister to four-star mare R-Star, this gray mare was bred to event at the top levels.  [The Race to Le Lion]

Ever done something stupid, like forget the finish flags? You aren’t alone. Top British riders reveal what mistakes they’ve made and what they learned from them. Ben Hobday once again proves to be relatable, learning to respect each fence including the last after falling at the ultimate fence in his first Advanced.  [The Biggest Mistakes]

There’s nothing more frustrating than ending the season with a fall. Bill Levett, Laura Collett, Abigail Boulton, and others are all having to contend with that feeling of let-down when the final event of the season doesn’t quite go as planned. With a long winter ahead, it can be tough to reconcile that you won’t have another chance to go out and try again anytime soon. [I’m Actually Very Lucky]

Surefire Farm in Purcellville, Virginia will have an open schooling day on Saturday, Oct. 22. Come enjoy the beautiful fall weather and good footing to school the course this weekend! [Surefire Farm]

SmartPak Product of the Day: Did you know you could be veterinary elastic tape directly from SmartPak? Incredibly handy for re-bandaging any injuries the vet has had to patch up, you can now stock up online if you have an accident prone pony. [SmartPak]

Tuesday Video from SpectraVET: Fair Hill CCI3* Cross Country

By on Oct 18, 2016 5:00 pm -

Caitlin Martin took a page out of Buzzterbrown’s book this weekend at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International and took a series of video at fence 13, a massive open corner on the CCI3* course. We get to see every CCI3* combination tackle this question, and it’s interesting to observe how each horse reads the question and responds accordingly.

There is always something to learn! Many thanks to Caitlin for creating this awesome video.

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#DogsOfEN: The Best of Your Eventer Pup Pics

By on Oct 18, 2016 3:00 pm -

Where there are horse people, there are dogs … and they deserve a moment in the spotlight, too!

Don’t forget to tag your pup pics on Instagram for inclusion in a future edition.

Enjoying the day at #fairhillinternational! #eventingnation #dogsofen #insanityinthemiddle

A photo posted by Team Millie (@teammilliedog) on

Somebody wants to be a jumper… #dogsofinstagram #dogsofen

A photo posted by Kimberly Brooke (@kimbid_ee) on

Dog on a turtle. #weldon #dogonvacation #dogpark #dogsofinstagtam #nomorehorsinaround #turtlingaround #dogsofen

A photo posted by Kayla Muller (@selcouthsporthorses) on

Rainy day at the barn = bandit is upset #dogsofinstgram #eventingnation #barndog #dogsofEN

A photo posted by Renee Sternhagen (@renee.a.sternhagen) on

Doggy photo op on the goat spool! #nicadog #darkhorsefarm #eventingdogs #dogsofen

A photo posted by Kate Jensen (@kate6917) on

Truck dog asleep at his post again. #truckdogfail #dogsofEN #heelergram #blueheelersofinstagram #ponyclub

A photo posted by Stacey Briggs (@stacey_briggs_eventing) on

When you are a thin haired dog and it’s chilly out. #barndogproblems #barndoglife #dogsofen #someonegethimablanket #baxter

A photo posted by Kayla Muller (@selcouthsporthorses) on

Macy is worn out! #dogsofEN #labrador #labsofinstagram

A photo posted by Lizzie Sauter (@lizzie_sauter) on

And because we’re equal opportunity:

Helpful Rosie, while I edit my GoPro video from a horse show. #catsofinstagram #eventerproblems #equestrian

A photo posted by allikazoo (@allikazoo) on

Go Eventing!

The Billy Stud Launching Innovative Online Auction of 3-Year-Olds

By on Oct 18, 2016 12:45 pm -

British breeding establishment the Billy Stud, a leading breeding venture between show jumper William Funnell, eventer Pippa Funnell and business partner Donal Barnwell, has launched a new online auction of 3-year-old sport horses which begins on Oct. 21.

The stud, now in its 17th year, has selected 10 of its quality 3-year-olds to be available to buy at the online auction.

“All horses will be vetted and X-rayed before the sale, and there’s no reserve on any of the auction horses,” explains Donal, recognised as being one of the best ‘breeding eyes’ in the business.

Equine breeding lines include Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve, Cevin Z (the grey pictured below), Billy Congo, Cruising, Billy Mexico and Clover Hill, and the online auction represents a new way to showcase and sell equines in the UK.

Cevin Z, another top stallion, carries the double crosses of both Cor de la Bryere and Capitol 1 in his pedigree. Photo by the Billy Stud

Cevin Z, a top stallion at the Billy Stud, carries the double crosses of both Cor de la Bryere and Capitol 1 in his pedigree. Photo by the Billy Stud.

“It is easier for buyers to browse horses in this way, and the fact the horses have been vetted and X-rayed before the sale makes great business sense for anyone looking for a future star eventer,” Donal tells EN

The unique aspect of this project, jokingly described by Irishman Donal as ‘a mad notion,’ is that there’s complete transparency.

“There are no auctioneers or middlemen — what you see is what you get. The prices are all inclusive. The horses for sale are all bred here, and are completely unspoiled — they will go on and improve and improve,” he continues.

“Buyers are purchasing straight from a world-renowned breeder, and I can tell you that these are horses with plenty of blood, that are bred to jump. Most have the quality to be elite eventers, as of course you need an eventer that can show jump.”

Billy Congo, one of the Billy Stud's top stallions, is by the AES & Irish Horse Board Approved stallion Vechta, who is by the famous sire Voltaire. Photo by Samantha Lamb, courtesy of The Billy Stud.

Billy Congo, another of the Billy Stud’s top stallions, is by the AES & Irish Horse Board Approved stallion Vechta, who is by the famous sire Voltaire. Photo by Samantha Lamb, courtesy of the Billy Stud.

For buyers who are able to come to the UK and view the horses, they have the opportunity to see 10 hand-selected youngsters in one place, making a visit to the stud a worthwhile one. For interested parties unable to visit in person, a selection of high quality videos is available showcasing the youngsters being free schooled, as well as videos of the stallion sires.

“This opportunity represents a good deal for international buyers looking for future event horses, as the pound is very weak currently — and there’s no reserve set on the horses, and VAT is also included,” Donal continues. (VAT can be reclaimed from non-EU territories).

“Anyone looking to purchase more than one three year old will also have the advantage that they are based in once place, making shipping very practical. And naturally we can advise purchasers with their shipping requirements. Pippa, William and myself are all just a phone call away if anyone has a query.”

Viewing days at the stud are available on Oct. 21st, 22nd and 23rd, and the auction closes on Oct. 25. For more information, visit the auction page on the Billy Stud website here. 

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin

By on Oct 18, 2016 11:00 am -

An imported Irish Thoroughbred, sound and bursting with eventing potential for … less than a grand?

Get. Out.

(Your. Checkbook.)

Meet Charlie’s Best and two other sporthorse prospect OTTBs we handpicked this week, just for you.

Photo via Second Stride.

Photo via Second Stride.

Charlie’s Best (Myboycharlie (IRE) – Salorina, by A.P. Indy) is Ireland born, bred by Sheikh Almaddah. Her Ireland born sire by Danehill was a Highweight 2-year-old colt in France. Her dam is by A.P. Indy.

She sticks just under 15.3 hands at age 2. Retired sound but non-competitive after a brief career from August through October 2016. Fabulous shoulder and uphill build. Correct conformation, sculpted face and kind, large eye. A smart filly looking for a new vocation. She should excel at any sport horse use, but that shoulder and her turf pedigree hints strongly towards jumping and eventing!

Make your next imported sport horse a true purebred Thoroughbred. This is a true rare diamond of a find!

View Charlie’s Best on Second Stride.

Photo via New Vocations.

Photo via New Vocations.

Val D’Isere (Cape Blanco (IRE) – Vadahilla (FR), by Danehill) is the picture of understated elegance. She is a classy lady with classy breeding. Val is three years old with plenty of maturing yet to do. She is the boss in her group but gets along with the five other mares. She is lovely to work around and stands very patiently for a youngster when it comes to shoeing and grooming. New Vocations reports that Val is the least vocal of their girls and loves visitors to shower her with attention. She will eat all the carrots she can get! Val does not have any stall vices.

Under saddle, she is forward-going and eager to work. Her trot is fluid and she swings through her shoulder. Her canter is green but rapidly developing style. Val feels like she is going to be an extremely athletic jumper. She was retired without any injuries after two starts when she did not show top level ability. Though she may not have had top level ability on the track, she has the makings of top level ability in the show ring. Val is best suited for an advanced rider to guide her training.

View Val D’Isere on New Vocations.

Photo via CANTER Michigan.

Photo via CANTER Michigan.

Amazing Kitten (Kitten’s Joy – Kazen, by Tale of the Cat) is a 15.2-hand 2010 gelding by multiple graded stakes winner Kitten’s Joy, who earned over $2 million in his career. Bloodlines also include Storm Cat, Forty Niner, Northern Dancer and Mr. Prospector. Last raced Aug. 23, 2015 at Belterra Park. Amazing Kitten won $63,842 in 29 starts, with six firsts, three seconds and five third-place finishes. Super sweet personality. Just look at that face! He has the same white hind socks as his sire along with that shining chestnut coat. He is fairly quiet, has filled out nicely and is doing well in his training on the flat.

View Amazing Kitten on CANTER Michigan.

What’s in Your Ring? Arena Cross Country with Kim Keppick

By on Oct 18, 2016 8:00 am -

What’s in Your Ring? is a new EN series in which riders share their favorite jumping exercises. It’s easy to get stuck in a training rut, and we hope this will inspire you with fresh ideas that you can take home and incorporate into your own programs.

This week’s edition comes courtesy of Kim Keppick, an Advanced level event rider who has competed internationally as a member of the Irish three-day team and is the developer of Rein-Aid Productions (www.rein-aid.com). She shares some ideas for improving your cross country skills in the ring, with exercises demonstrated by her student Wendy Bebie.

Wendy Bebie and Calero, "Roo." Photo by GRC Photography.

Wendy Bebie and Calero, “Roo.” Photo by GRC Photography.

Whether it is an indoor or outdoor sometimes we must school only in an arena with good footing. This applies to Virginia in the winter when the ground is frozen and also to when the ground is SO hard in the summer that you do not want to train or condition on the grass.

Wendy Bebie has a super ring and I am privileged to be her trainer. We always mix up grid work, with course work and unusual visual challenges including turns, skinnies etc. This helps not only improve skills but stops them from being bored stuck in a ring an extended period.

Wendy and “Roo” clearly have fun when challenged with something new. It must of course be a progressive introduction to either a new question or new height.

When teaching skinnies I start really slow and small. Assuming the horse is ready to start working on skinnies, I use a barrel on its side with short poles or something else on each side under it to stabilize it and standards with a short rail over it. Remove the rail but keep the standards. Always remove the jump cups from the standards if there is no rail in them.

Once the horse is comfortable with that, take one standard away at a time. You can use a long rail propped on the side of the barrel at an angle away from barrel to act as a guide and then on the ground as necessary. Your goal is to have him stay straight and honest with no standards or guiding rails.

Once you and your horse are comfortable with the barrel then there are no limits to what skinny jumps you can ask them to jump. Just be fair and progressive in your training.

While this video collage does not show starting a youngster over skinny jumps it does show a confident horse and rider jumping a variety of them.

Video credit: Joey Snider.

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

Tuesday News & Notes from Cavalor

By on Oct 18, 2016 12:00 am -
Robyn Fisher and Betawave take in their French digs at Le Lion d'Angers. Photo via Robyn on Facebook. Robyn Fisher and Betawave take in their French digs at Le Lion d'Angers. Photo via Robyn on Facebook.

We now look ahead to this weekend’s 7- and 8-year-old Championships at Mondial du Lion in Le Lion d’Angers, France. Some of the world’s best young horses will duke it out in the CCI1* and CCI2* divisions, including two of the U.S.’ very own: Robyn Fisher with Betawave and Tamie Smith with Fleeceworks Royal. Stay tuned for much more coverage of this exciting event right here on EN.

Events Opening This Week:

Sporting Days Farm Horse Trials IV (SC, A-3)

Events Closing Today:

Full Gallop Farm Fall H.T. (SC, A-3),  Willow Draw Charity Show (TX, A-5),  Rocking Horse Fall H.T. (FL, A-3),  Galway Downs International Event & H.T. (CA, A-6)

News & Notes:

Over 300 Thoroughbreds will compete in this year’s Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover in Lexington, Ky. To be held October 27-30 at The Kentucky Horse Park, this competition showcases the versatility of the Thoroughbred breed. Ten equestrian disciplines will be featured throughout the four-day competition, and it’s a great way to learn all about the efforts that go into re-training a racehorse. [RRP Thoroughbred Makeover]

This has to be one of the cutest stories ever told. This little boy made BuzzFeed headlines after his parents surprised him with his first pony. Sebastian saved for three years by selling lemonade for his first pony, and his dreams came true a few days ago. You have to see the story, and you might want to grab some tissues beforehand. [Little Boy Gets First Pony]

Our friends at The Chronicle of the Horse have posted a lovely photo recap of some of their favorite moments from Fair Hill. Take a look and enjoy the ultimate highs! [Smiles, Hugs and Big Efforts]

Weekly Business Tip from Mythic Landing Enterprises:

When putting together an e-blast for your next activity, try to keep your most important information “above the fold.” Ideally your date, location and ticket information will be at the top so that the reader sees it before needing to scroll down for more information.

Tuesday Video:

Catch these highlights from last year’s Mondial du Lion to get pumped for this weekend:

Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: The Latest from ‘Little Eventer’

By on Oct 17, 2016 5:00 pm -

There are a few things in this world that I can count on to shower me me with immeasurable happiness, and one of them is when a new photo or video from “Little Eventer” Claire Peters pops up on my Instagram feed.

To be honest, Claire is my hero: not only is this 7-year-old a total beast on cross country, she’s been known to rock a tutu while she’s at it.

Claire has had a busy fall of dazzling dressage judges everywhere …

… rocking out on the cross country course …

… and honing her show jumping skills.

“Claire has an endless supply of energy, a healthy amount of sass to handle naughty ponies, and an infectious zest for life,” mom Anne says. “She is always willing to offer sound horse management and riding advice and she will continue to invite us into her bigger-than-life world where only fun, determination and big dreams exist.”

Check out my EN profile of Claire from earlier this year here, and be sure to follow her on Instagram for all the latest.

Go Claire! Go Eventing!