Classic Eventing Nation

Who Were the Best Dressed Ladies and Men at Fair Hill?

By on Oct 12, 2016 5:30 pm -

Tate Reynolds was an Advanced rider in the mid-1990s, making it to Rolex twice when it was an Advanced horse trials and CCI3*, as well as training with Kelli Temple and grooming for Carl Bouckaert. He has worked in the fashion industry for the past 15 years, including serving as a fashion designer for Ralph Lauren. We're delighted to have him guest blogging for EN this weekend at Fair Hill. Read on for Tate's Best Dressed picks and to vote for the winners!

Who will take the coveted Fair Hill Best Dressed title? Photos by Jenni Autry.

Who will take the coveted Fair Hill Best Dressed title? Photos by Jenni Autry.

It was a beautiful day here in the Maryland countryside and the setting was perfect for the first horse inspection at Fair Hill. Overall I thought the guys really turned it out today. I actually thought they looked better than the ladies. I know people might say it’s easier for men, but it’s all about pulling everything together, getting the right fit and dressing appropriate for the occasion.

Let’s remember, this is an equestrian sporting event, in the countryside, in October. I am surprised at how many people do not dress for the occasion or the setting. But all in all, it was beautiful day and a great start to the country’s premier fall three-day event.

So without further ado, here are my top picks for the ladies and the men in today’s first horse inspection. Vote for your favorite in each poll. The winners will each receive a $100 gift card courtesy of SmartPak.

THE LADIES

Lauren Balcomb and Guido Hatzis. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Lauren Balcomb and Guido Hatzis. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Lauren Balcomb: Lauren was about as put together as can you get. She looked polished and tidy, well accessorized, and was really feeling good out there on the jog.

Jennie Brannigan and Stella Artois. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jennie Brannigan and Stella Artois. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jennie Brannigan: Jennie was giving it her sporty look today and it worked. Her scotty dog print appealed to all the dog lovers and her boots, hair and styling was all pulled together.

Jenny Caras and Fernhill Fortitude. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jenny Caras and Fernhill Fortitude. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jenny Caras: Jenny looked fit and ready to go this weekend sporting a great printed dress. It fit well and really made a statement on the jog strip.

Holly Payne Caravella and Bruisyard Hall. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Holly Payne Caravella and Bruisyard Hall. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Holly Payne Caravella: I loved the polka dot top. While it’s a little late in the season for white jeans, we’ll let you slide, Holly, because you pulled it all together and looked great.

Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Ariel Grald: Best print we saw all day. When a print is good, it’s good, and the autumnal colors were perfect today.

Lillian Heard and Arundel. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Lillian Heard and Arundel. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Lillian Heard: I loved Lillian’s whole look. The color-blocked dress and jacket looked great together, and her side braid was a fresh welcome. Katniss has nothing on you, Lillian.

Lauren Kieffer and Landmark's Monte Carlo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Lauren Kieffer: Lauren was rocking her shades and looking as cool as she does cantering down the centerline. The teal jacket really popped against her grey horses and the boots were on point.

Erin Sylvester and Mettraise. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Erin Sylvester and Mettraise. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Erin Sylvester: Erin did a great job of sporting a black and white dress but paired it with brown tall boots. This really made it that much more appropriate for the day. Also her hair was styled and put up, which looked great. Take note of that, ladies.

THE MEN

Woods Baughman and Montesquieu. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Woods Baughman and Montesquieu. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Woods Baughman: Woods went with a well executed classic look today. His red gingham shirt was a great addition and Woods, I applaud you for wearing a pocket square! It really set you apart out there.

Will Coleman and Soupcon de Brunet. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Will Coleman and Soupcon de Brunet. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Will Coleman: Will’s look was classic: navy blazer, khakis and a crisp white shirt. And I particularly liked that he added his sunglasses for the three-star jog.

Cary Chavis and Game On. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Cary Chavis and Game On. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Cary Chavis: Cary looked great in his suit. The tonality of everything really worked in his favor. His suit even matched his hair!

Buck Davidson and Park Trader. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Buck Davidson and Park Trader. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Buck Davidson: I think this was the best Buck has looked. Fatherhood is suiting you! Buck traded in his usual suit for a tweed jacket, and it was perfect for today. Thank you for wearing tweed, Buck!

Will Faudree and Hans Dampf. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Will Faudree and Hans Dampf. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Will Faudree: Will is one that always brings it for the first horse inspection and today was a really good look. Typically a khaki suit is worn more in the spring, but his brown vest and tie choice make this a perfect look for a beautiful fall day.

Dom Schramm and Bolytair B. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Dom Schramm and Bolytair B. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Dom Schramm: Dom looked very cool out there today. Again, the shades were a great addition to a very well put together outfit.

Randy Ward and Grando. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Randy Ward and Grando. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Randy Ward: Let’s just say Randy has this down. His suit is fitted to a T and he has the best accessory out there: a million dollar smile.

Ryan Wood and Powell. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Ryan Wood and Powell. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Ryan Wood: Ryan dressed the part today, and I loved the driving cap.

I definitely saw some looks today that probably would have been better suited for another occasion, and some that could have used a little more polish. But I get it, most of you spend every waking second in the barn and are much more comfortable in muck boots and jeans.

However, its really not that hard to look pulled together out there, and it doesn’t take a lot of money either. I’ll be following up later with some dos and don’ts for the first horse horse inspection, and some tips of how you and your horse can wow the judges and more importantly the fashion critics out there.

You’ve worked this hard to get this point, so let the efforts and pride shine as you get ready to start your three-day.

Until next time …

Fair Hill Social Media Wrap: Life’s Too Short for Boring Clothes

By on Oct 12, 2016 5:22 pm -

Well, it’s that time of year again! The best of the best have gathered in Elkton, Md. for this year’s Dutta Corp Fair Hill International. It’s the ultimate fall event, and what better way to kick things off than with a veritable fashion show? Perfect button braids, glossy coats, and riders decked to the nines — what’s not to love?

In case you missed it, all horses were accepted in today’s First Horse Inspection for the CCI2* and CCI3*, and here’s a quick look at social media from the first day of the festivities. Dressage kicks off first thing tomorrow morning, and you can follow along right here on EN (as well as on our social channels) for the latest and greatest.

#DuttaFHI: Website, Entries, Draw Order, Ride Times, Live Scores, YEH Scores, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram

A flag for every rider’s country. Beautiful afternoon at #DuttaFHI

A photo posted by Fair Hill International (@fairhillint) on

Meghan O'Donoghue killed it in this gorgeous dress and boot combination! Photo via Meghan on Instagram.

Meghan O’Donoghue killed it in this gorgeous dress and boot combination! Photo via Meghan on Instagram.

I think it's love! Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo share a moment before taking the runway .. er .. jog strip. Photo via Maralee Paul on Instagram.

I think it’s love! Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo share a moment before taking the runway .. er .. jog strip. Photo via Maralee Paul on Instagram.

screenshot_10

All Horses Accepted on Perfect Day at Fair Hill’s First Horse Inspection

By on Oct 12, 2016 3:30 pm -
Will Coleman and Soupcon de Brunet. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Will Coleman and Soupcon de Brunet. Photo by Jenni Autry.

All 46 horses that presented to the ground jury were accepted in the CCI2* at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International on an unseasonably sunny and warm afternoon here in Elkton, Maryland. Only one horse, Elena Hengel’s mount Say I Do, went to the holding box in the CCI2* and was accepted upon re-presenting.

Forty-eight horses presented to the ground jury in the CCI3*, with Joe Meyer withdrawing South Paw from the holding box. Just one other horse, Justine Dutton’s mount Huck Finn, was sent to the holding box in the CCI3* but was accepted after re-presenting.

With the vast majority of horses and riders cruising through the first horse inspection without issue, there was plenty of time to ogle the fashion on parade on the jog strip, as well as the top-notch presentation of the horses thanks to the super grooms.

Leather/pleather by far emerged as this year’s theme on the jog strip, with a slew of ladies and guys rocking leather pants — or going all out with head-to-toe leather like Chris Talley with his mount Unmarked Bills in the CCI2*.

EN’s Best Dressed voting at Fair Hill is always hotly contested, and this year we’ve called in the big guns with a very special guest judge. We’re delighted to welcome Tate Reynolds, a former Advanced event rider and fashion designer for Ralph Lauren, as a guest writer this weekend.

Tate carefully scrutinized the turnout at today’s inspection, so stay tuned for EN’s Best Dressed Picks, which we split into separate male and female categories this year due to popular request. As always, a $100 SmartPak gift card goes to the winner of each category.

Erin Sylvester and Mettraise. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Erin Sylvester and Mettraise. Photo by Jenni Autry.

With a promising forecast full of sunshine ahead of us, there’s plenty of excitement in the air for this year’s event. Dressage kicks off tomorrow for the CCI3*, CCI2* and USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships. YEH dressage kicks us off tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. EST, with the CCI3* starting at 10:40 a.m. EST and the CCI2* starting at 2:10 p.m. EST. Click here for ride times.

There is no live stream at Fair Hill, but you can follow along with all the action here on EN and on Twitter, plus see plenty of behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram. Stay tuned for much more from the USEF National CCI3*/CCI2* Championships. Go Eventing!

#DuttaFHI: Website, Entries, Draw Order, Ride Times, Live Scores, YEH Scores, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram

What’s in Your Ring? EN Staff Edition: Wylie’s Short-on-Time Shamrock

By on Oct 12, 2016 1:00 pm -
Photo by Leslie Wylie. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

I launched the “What’s in Your Ring?” series a few weeks ago with selfish motives, honestly, as I frequently find myself at a loss for new jumping exercises. I’m sure I’m not alone, so why not get some crowdsourcing going?

To help get the ball rolling I thought I’d pay it forward and share an excerpt from my my own personal file folder of go-to jumping exercises. I can’t remember who or where I picked this up from — it’s a classic, really — but it’s a good one.

I like it, first and foremost, because it is quick and easy to set up, ideal for those days when you’re scrambling to get a jump school in but don’t have time to drag a whole bunch of jumps into the ring. It’s also scalable enough to benefit horses of all levels.

Build it:

All you need: four poles, four standards, four ground poles, and some random object to serve as the centerpiece. I have a plastic barrel that does the trick, but you can make do with a hay bale, a cavaletti block, a mounting block, a muck bucket — anything, really.

Build it big or build it small; you could even just do poles on the ground for the green ones.

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

The pattern: 

A few variations on the theme, as demonstrated by my 13.99999-hand superpony Princess.

Cloverleaf — Jump, land, turn, repeat. You can make the “leaves” of your shamrock as large or challengingly tiny as you like, and mix it up between right and left-hand turns if you like, which is helpful for impetuous types (“You think you know what’s coming next, smarty-pants, but you don’t! Wait for your rider to tell you which way to go!”). Keep it going for as long as you like, or until you start getting dizzy!

This is a great exercise for rideability and jumping off turns. Do your part by thinking about turning the outside of the horse while keeping the inside legs moving. Don’t slam on the brakes but sit up and ride forward through the turn, letting the geometry work its magic on your horse’s balance.

screen-shot-2016-10-07-at-1-37-11-pm

Skinny — You can also jump across the middle in a figure-8. It’s a nice exercise for straightness, and the slightly claustrophobic experience of riding into the V produces a sharp jump.

screen-shot-2016-10-07-at-1-37-39-pm

Corner/Bounce —  In addition to going straight across, you can ride it as a corner or an angled bounce (9′-10″ for trot). Be very careful here to make clear to your horse which one it is you’re going after; for a corner, I’d recommend laying a pole across or filling in the middle to make sure your horse doesn’t attempt to put his feet down in the middle of it. Vice-versa, you don’t want him to not put his feet down in the bounce.

screen-shot-2016-10-07-at-1-37-57-pm

Enjoy!

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

#EventerProblems Vol. 92: A Sport of Highs and Lows

By on Oct 12, 2016 11:00 am -

They say eventing is a sport of highs and lows — a expression very well expressed, I think, by our first #EventerProblems post of the day.

Friday fail. I don't know how I didn't come off after this! #fridayfail #hangonfordearlife #myhorsesavedmybutt

A photo posted by Amy Bowers (@ahorsiegirl) on

Here’s wishing all of you out there in the Eventing Nation more highs than lows. Without further ado, here’s your latest batch of true eventing struggles:

you **might** own a chestnut thoroughbred mare when ….. ❤️#eventerproblems #bofbnexttoprider

A photo posted by Taylor (@taylordawn_13) on

What are you doing at 5.50 Am? #eventerproblems

A photo posted by Helen Brew (@helen_brew) on

When you're trying to turn but the racehorse says you're on the backstretch #OTTB #eventerproblems #ottbproblems #yeehaw #help

A photo posted by Angela Lenning Eventing (@a.l.eventing) on

Customer: "that looks intense is that physics?" #eventerproblems

A photo posted by Gracie Rivers (@grace_riverss) on

Too bad zip can't get comfortable… #eventerproblems #irideforwanda

A photo posted by MBH (@wyombh) on

Cold hosing is boring, says Priscilla! #ottb #eventerproblems

A video posted by Helen Brew (@helen_brew) on

That is not the foot I meant to get the Durasole on. #eventerproblems #eventerfashion

A photo posted by Becca Speer (@beccarides) on

when you empty your pockets at the end of the day…. pieces of hoof and a shoe nail #eventerproblems

A photo posted by gracelyn & carlie (@stateofgraceeventing) on

SOME horses don't appreciate the luxuries in life. #soakedalfalfa #throwitontheground #alfalfa #eventerproblems

A video posted by Helen Brew (@helen_brew) on

Don’t forget to tag ’em #EventerProblems on social for inclusion in a future edition. Go Eventing!

Who Jumped It Best? Course Brook Farm Edition

By on Oct 12, 2016 9:00 am -

It’s time to play Who Jumped It Best? Course Brook Farm Edition! This beautiful venue in Sherborn, Massachusetts hosted Beginner Novice through Prelim/Training divisions this past weekend, and Joan Davis of Flatlandsfoto kindly sent us images from the Beginner Novice A division.

You know the drill: Put on your George Morris hat and vote in the poll at the bottom of the post for which horse and rider you think present the best overall picture over the jump. Go Eventing!

[Course Brook Farm Farm H.T. Final Scores]

booth-m-100916-4058

Molly Booth and Snapdragon. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

britton-o-100916-4162

Olivia Britton and Miss Little Pine. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

greige-l-100916-4110

Lillia Greige and Elysian Night. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

lanou-a-100916-4033

Anneke Lanou and Road House. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

lary-b-100916-4090

Bridget Lary and Miss Perfect Ten. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

maida-b-100916-4328

Bella Maida and Ray of Light. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

pellegrino-c-100916-4295

Chelsey Pellegrino and Hot and Ready. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Wednesday News and Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Oct 12, 2016 12:01 am -
Jollybo and Hawley hang out with former rider Justine Dutton in preparation for Fair Hill. Photo via Justine Dutton's FB page. Jollybo and Hawley hang out with former rider Justine Dutton in preparation for Fair Hill. Photo via Justine Dutton's FB page.

One of the best things about this sport are the relationships you build. Fair Hill always seems to exemplify the multi-coast relationships that are built in this sport, with horses from the West Coast being taken in eagerly by their eastern cousins. With many riders making an effort to come up to the Fair Hill area well in advanced of the event, it’s easy to build strong friendships that only serve to strengthen our sport.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Fair Hill International CCI [Website] [Entry Status] [Order of Go]

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

Ocala Fall Event H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Your Wednesday News & Notes:

The end of the eventing season is nigh. Although we have competitions here in the U.S. through the end of November, the signs of the season wrapping up are already imminent. The Brits are already having to come to grips with the end of their eventing season, and many of these signs are recognizable over on this side of the pond as well. [13 Ways You Know]

Powell has gone from a virtual unknown to nearly a household name in our sport in less than a year. This gentle giant (17.3 hh!) lives in the field 24/7 because he likes it that way, and gets it all to himself. He’s particular about treats but would never say no to a banana and wears a petite 84″ blanket.  [Behind the Stall Door]

Get ready to be kicked right in the feels. Horse Nation reader Ashley Snell decided it was about time to pop the question to her girlfriend Marissa. So she trained her gelding Absolut for four months straight so he could also go down to one knee at the critical moment. The plan worked, and it’s all on camera!  [She Said Yes!]

Weekly Business Tip from Mythic Landing Enterprises: Invest in logowear for your staff, and give clients an opportunity to buy some, or even give some away to your most loyal clients. While logowear can be rather expensive, it is important that your key staff have logowear for all seasons. Be sure to incorporate your logo, slogan or sponsors.

SmartPak Product of the Day: Although Fair Hill is here, surprisingly the forecast is clear for the weekend. If you aren’t fortunate to have a beautiful, crisp fall forecast free of rain, check out this new Piper raincoat, which will keep you warm and snug. [SmartPak]

Tuesday Video from SpectraVET: A New Frontier for SpectraVET Cohiba

By on Oct 11, 2016 5:00 pm -
Cary Chavis and Coco. Photo courtesy of Diana Rowland. Cary Chavis and Coco. Photo courtesy of Diana Rowland.

Congrats and best of luck to Cary Chavis, proud new owner of one of the brightest young event horse stars in the country SpectraVET Cohiba!

At just 6 years old SpectretVET Cohiba (“Coco”) has already acquired quite a taste for top ribbons. Lynn Symansky purchased the 2010 Wurttemburg mare (Con Spirito x Lea) as a green 5-year-old from Germany and their partnership immediately began to flourish, starting with a win at the 2015 East Coast Young Event Horse Championships as the highest scoring 5-year-old on both coasts.

Lynn Symansky and SpectraVET Cohiba at the 2015 East Coast Young Event Horse Championships. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Lynn Symansky and SpectraVET Cohiba at the 2015 East Coast Young Event Horse Championships. Photo by Sally Spickard.

They finished 1st or 2nd in Cohiba’s first dozen starts at the Novice and Training levels, including a win at last year’s Area II Novice Championships, and most recently the pair placed 2nd at the 2016 American Eventing Championships in the extremely competitive Training Horse division. After scoring a 22.7 in the dressage — Lynn describes her as “fancy and easy on the flat” — she cruised around the jumping phases seemingly without effort: “She was great on the cross country, which wasn’t the sort of course we’re used to, and she’s a careful show  jumper.”

Check out this replay of their performance:

Cary, of Washington, D.C., has competed through the CIC2* level and is preparing for his first CCI2* at Fair Hill this weekend with another horse, Game On.

He trains with Valerie Vizcarrondo of Blue Clover Eventing, who was at Lynn’s farm trying a horse with another student when Lynn mentioned that they were contemplating selling Coco.

“I had watched her, obviously — quite an eye catcher!” Valeri says. “But what had struck me was her similarity to Cary’s current horse Game On, aka. ‘Bo.’ Cary is a very good rider and a soft rider, but doesn’t need anything super strong or quirky. She is so much his ride!”

Indeed, Cary rode the mare and they instantly clicked. After that things happened very quickly: “We had tried her, cross country schooled her, vetted her, and brought her home in no time! He went from kind of looking for another horse to owning one of the nicest ones in the country almost overnight!”

Since then, Valerie reports, “He’s had a few rides on her and they are just so perfect together. She is helping him with the nuisances of riding thanks to Lynn’s amazing job of producing the mare from the start and Coco’s appropriate sensitivity and elegant way of going. Cary is hoping to channel some of that at Fair Hill this weekend. He has a high probability of finishing on his dressage score — but dressage isn’t exactly Bo’s strong point.”

Cary Chavis and Coco. Photo courtesy of Diana Rowland.

Cary Chavis and Coco. Photo courtesy of Diana Rowland.

Cary is a dentist with a busy schedule who makes it out to the barn two to three times a week for lessons but wants as much time in the tack as his professional schedule will allow.

“Coco will be in full training with me and after Fair Hill the timing will be perfect for him to concentrate on developing a partnership with Coco while Bo goes on holiday,” Valerie says. “Our plan is for the pair to do a one-star next year!”

SpectraVET Therapeutic Lasers has played a big role in Cohiba’s journey, as the company’s owners Molly and Peter Jenkins generously sponsored the horse’s development under Lynn. The use of this therapy, which increases the speed, quality and tensile strength of tissue repair, resolves inflammation, and gives pain relief in equine athletes, it is a valuable part of Lynn’s program — she reports shorter recovery and lay-up times with the use of SpectraVET.

Go SpectraVET. Go Coco. Go Eventing!

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.

Warm Up Gone Wild

By on Oct 11, 2016 2:53 pm -
Photo by Holly Covey. Photo by Holly Covey.

What’s the greatest way in eventing to make everyone hate you? Yell “GET AWAY FROM THAT JUMP” in warm-up when an amateur rider and her husband reach to change the height of the oxer.

Are you depressed and would like to descend into the depths of hell? Try going to a horse trial and warming up for a Novice division. It’s one of the more terrifying tasks on horseback you will ever face because of “those trainers.”

The ones that hog the jumps. The ones that yell at others. The ones that teach an entire lesson in the warm-up ring to just one student 20 minutes before their stadium round and succeed in disrupting the warm-up of other competitors in addition to making their poor spouses or friends who happen to be there to help literally cry from frustration.

Eventers used to tell one another about the hole in front of jump seven or warn each other of the slick corner in stadium. Now they warn others that “Terry Trainer is here today!” meaning gird your loins for the fight to get your three jumps in warm-up.

These trainers have many tactics, but a couple of them are: jumping in front of the oxer as you head down towards it, or managing to put their hand on a rail or pull the pin on the jump cup just as you are three strides away. Darn! Didn’t get that jump in. Oh well.

Canter around again, and see if I can slide in behind the student she’s teaching … nope, that didn’t work either, she ran in front of the jump again! Canter around again. Pick the vertical this time. Nope, she’s going to run over and put that jump down, so now it’s lower than what your horse needs. Please! Leave it alone! Let someone else jump!

Now we all pay the same entry fee, and everyone has an equal right to the jumps. Except them. They are more than equal. They get the whole jump for the whole time they need it. And you don’t. You just keep circling. Your horse puts his ears back and says, “Huh?”

And don’t try to complain to anyone. They’ve got that base covered, too. They’ve entered 16 of their students in the horse trial just so they would have a clear upper hand when an official is contacted for a complaint. They have previously intimidated the poor volunteer warm-up coordinator so well that she is huddling in the corner in a puddle of tears and texting her BFF: “I’ll never volunteer here again!”

Some riders just have had enough. They canter around, call out the jump and keep coming regardless of where the trainer is parked. Look out! Everyone is covering their eyes and secretly pulling out their phones to video what is sure to be the wreck of the century … but by sheer luck, they miss each other by inches.

Hey, it may be the most exciting place on the grounds. I’m definitely going to make sure I take my camera to the warm-up area the next event I attend. I’ll compare to my husband’s video at the demolition derby and we’ll see whose is more spectacular.

And meanwhile, the only advice I can give is maybe pretend you’re deaf when the jump-hogging trainer yells at you. The video of the wreck might get a lot of hits on social media.

A Day in the Life of Eventing Icon Mary King

By on Oct 11, 2016 12:17 pm -

The famously laid-back and relaxed, six-time Olympian Mary King MBE tells Kathy Carter what training routines and yard regimes make her tick.

Mary King and Imperial Cavalier at Badminton in 2012. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Mary King, shown here with Imperial Cavalier at Badminton 2012, is a British eventing legend — and her attention to and involvement with day-to-day details have played a huge role in her success. Photo by Jenni Autry.

My daily routine

Ever since I started riding, I’ve been a great believer in attention to detail, and I soon learnt that success begins with the small, incidental things. I believe that if horses live in an organised environment, then the better prepared they’ll be for competing. Having a workable routine in place helps reduce the risk of injuries, setbacks and silly mistakes, because as soon as you start cutting corners, that’s when things go wrong.

7 a.m.

My daughter [international eventer] Emily or myself feeds the horses, washing out the feed buckets and letting them drain afterwards. We’ll also straighten rugs and check legs; it’s important to know what is normal for each horse, so that we can spot any potential problem immediately. I’ll also check on the mares and young-stock living out in a field in the valley, and run my hands over the youngsters’ bodies so they get used to me touching them. This promotes a developing connection between horse and human, so the trust starts to build.

Mary King is very hands-on, feeding the horses and washing out the feed buckets first thing. Photo by Bob Atkins

Mary King is very hands-on, feeding the horses and washing out the feed buckets first thing. Photo by Bob Atkins.

7.30 a.m.

My grooms muck out, taking 20 minutes per stable. I’m quite fussy about the horses’ bedding, so we use a chopped, oilseed rape straw bedding, with a superior, rubber-chip-filled flooring fitted over the stable floor. Once the girls have mucked out, they’ll empty, clean then refill the water buckets (two per stable) taking note of how much water the horses drink, so that we know on average what their daily intake is. That way we can notice if there’s a sudden change that could indicate the horse isn’t feeling on top form.

Then the girls will sweep up and tidy the muck trailer. The haylage nets are filled for the evening and the following morning. In all the stables, I’ve used some lovely, old-fashioned butler sinks as mangers, and while I’m not suggesting they’re to everyone’s taste, they work well for me. The horses are worked throughout the morning; our normal weekly routine involves fast work every third day, with schooling, jumping and hacking in-between. The girls help with hacking and some of the canter work, while Emily and I do all the schooling and jumping. After work, the horses are washed off if necessary, then turned out with rugs and exercise boots for a couple of hours.

Mary and daughter Emily's horses do fast work every third day. Photo by Bob Atkins

Mary and daughter Emily’s horses do fast work every third day. Photo by Bob Atkins.

We bring the horses in, groom them, then pick out and scrub the feet if necessary, hoof-oil inside and out, check the shoes and legs, then rug them up if necessary. Before lunch, we make sure all the stables are skipped out, beds are tidy and water buckets full. Any horse that is in has a lunchtime feed at 1pm, and we’ll leave feeds in the mangers of those who were worked late morning and were out over lunchtime. Then it’s our lunchtime from 1-2  p.m.!

2 p.m.

The horses that were out over lunch come in. The afternoon is a good time for catching up with other random jobs – from cleaning mangers or stable windows, to giving the yard a thorough sweep. The lorry too, has to be kept clean so it will be washed on the outside if it’s just back from an event, then the next day it will be cleaned out completely so that it’s ready for the next journey. Then there’s a list of odd jobs pinned up in the tack room that includes tack cleaning, poo-picking the fields in summer, and sweeping the horse walker after each use, plus washing and pulling manes and tails and trimming whiskers and ears.

4.30 p.m.

The girls tidy the tack room, sweep the floor, and make sure the sink and surfaces are clean and mugs washed. Then the stables are skipped out, the beds tidied and the water buckets are topped up. Rugs are straightened just before 5pm, and the horses have their haylage; we empty the night haylage nets into a corner of the stable. Then after locking the tack room, it’s home time for the girls at 5pm.

Mary and Emily King say their horses thrive on routine. Photo by Bob Atkins

Mary and Emily King say their horses thrive on their routine. Photo by Bob Atkins

6 p.m.

Either Emily or I feed the horses and check their legs, but once the horses have had their last feed, that’s it for the night, and they won’t see us again until morning. It’s a routine that works well and I’ve never found a late-night check or feed to be necessary. But we do live on site, so if there are any major problems, we’re on hand to attend to them.

Top tips:

In the mornings, we hang up the haylage nets so that mucking out is easier. Once we’ve finished mucking out, we empty the haylage onto the floor so that the horses can eat with their heads down — it replicates the way they naturally eat in the field. But the evening haylage nets are emptied onto the floor immediately.

When we turn out, I turn my horses out in twos or threes, which shocks some people. However, I think it’s worse risking injury to a lonely horse who is galloping up and down the field because he’s missing his friends. We find that the horses get to know each other quite quickly as they get used to the routine.

Mary King has written a new book: 'Mary King - My Way’

Mary King has written a new book: ‘Mary King – My Way’

Find out more about Mary’s training and management formulas and how they apply to every rider in her new book: ‘Mary King — My Way’. (International orders available.)